"Vermont Food Shelves Face Surge in Demand Amid Rising Food Insecurity"
Vermont's food shelves are experiencing unprecedented demand, with some locations serving up to three times more people than the previous year. The surge is attributed to the end of pandemic-era benefits, inflation, a substance abuse crisis, and recent catastrophic flooding. The Vermont Foodbank has seen a significant increase in food distribution, with numbers still well above pre-pandemic levels. The situation highlights the broader issue of food insecurity exacerbated by rising living costs and insufficient wages.