Scouting for Food today

If your food bill keeps creeping up, take heart. It's a worldwide phenomenon.

One contributing factor is higher oil prices. It costs more to cultivate food and ship it. As a growing share of the available corn crop is being used to produce fuel, there is less available for food and animal feed. Supply concerns drive up prices. This comes at a time of increased consumer demand in China and India. Freak weather is the ever-present wildcard.

Although food prices in the United States rose 4 percent last year, most households can absorb the increases. But there needs to be greater awareness of what these price hikes mean for people with low incomes. They cannot stretch their food dollars much further.

One way Utahns can help is to take part in today's Scouting for Food drive. Earlier this week, a Scout likely left a plastic grocery bag at your home. All you have to do is fill the bag with nonperishable food and hygiene items and leave it on your porch by mid-morning. Later in the day, Scouts will return to homes to pick up the filled bag.

The food in your pantry will be combined with the contributions of other Utahns to assist the state's food bank network, which distributes millions of pounds of food each year.

Because food is consumable, there is an ongoing need for it. But because of rising food and fuel prices, food is a greater issue for many low-income families. They may be forced to make less-than-optimal food choices to make ends meet. Foods high in protein are important, as are fruits and vegetables. Please make a special effort to contribute these items. The higher the nutritional value of the food, the better variety can be offered by food banks when people seek them out for assistance.

If you are in a position to help, please do. The state's food bank network can also use financial contributions year round. For more information, contact Utahns Against Hunger at 801-328-2561.