Share This Article
Article Summary
Greater Cincinnati food pantries are experiencing rising demand and inconsistent food supplies as families struggle with higher grocery costs. Shared Harvest Foodbank reports that federal food supplies now account for less than one-quarter of its annual distribution, while its partner network serves approximately 50,000 people monthly. Ohio SNAP participation also declined by about 9% between July 2025 and July 2026.
Greater Cincinnati food pantries are facing rising demand and inconsistent food supplies as families struggle with grocery costs and changes to federal food assistance programs.
Shared Harvest Foodbank and its partner organizations are experiencing increased demand while dealing with reduced federal food supplies and unpredictable replacement donations.
The challenges are forcing some pantries to stretch their budgets as more families seek help.
The situation is particularly evident at New Life Mission in Hamilton, where food packages have become less consistent as supplies fluctuate.
Shared Harvest reports declining federal food supplies
Shared Harvest Foodbank distributes food to more than 100 partner organizations throughout parts of Southwest Ohio, including Butler and Warren counties.
Historically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture supplied approximately half of the 13 million pounds of food Shared Harvest distributed annually. That share has fallen to just under one-quarter following federal cuts, according to WVXU.
Shared Harvest executive director Terry Perdue said replacement food from retailers has become unpredictable and inconsistent.
The fluctuations affect the food pantries that depend on Shared Harvest to provide groceries to local families. When supplies fall short, organizations may need to purchase additional food to meet demand.
Hamilton food pantry serves more families
New Life Mission, a faith-based resource center serving Butler County, has experienced a significant increase in the number of families seeking food assistance.
Executive director Felix Russo told WVXU that the pantry previously served approximately 20 to 40 families daily. Now, 40 families is closer to the minimum, with some days bringing as many as 80 families.
The pantry’s food packages have also become less consistent. Some packages have contained less pancake mix or fewer cans of fruit than usual.
Russo said rising grocery prices have increased the organization’s expenses, particularly when it must purchase food that is unavailable through Shared Harvest.
New Life Mission currently provides eligible families with nonperishable food, meat, bread and produce once a month. Russo said demand would support more frequent distributions if the organization had the capacity to offer them.
Shared Harvest network serves 50,000 people monthly
Shared Harvest has also experienced growing demand across its partner network.
Perdue told WVXU that the food bank’s network has expanded from serving approximately 30,000 people monthly five years ago to about 50,000 today.
He said families increasingly rely on food banks as access to affordable groceries becomes more difficult.
Food banks traditionally help households experiencing temporary emergencies, such as job losses or health problems. However, rising living costs are pushing more families to seek ongoing assistance.
Perdue said households often have to prioritize rent, medicine and child care before spending what remains of their budgets on food.
As grocery prices rise, families may also switch to less expensive protein sources as they try to stretch their food budgets.
Ohio SNAP participation declines by 9%
The growing demand for charitable food assistance comes as participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has declined in Ohio.
According to figures cited by WVXU, the number of Ohioans participating in SNAP fell approximately 9% between July 2025 and July 2026, the most recent month with available data at the time of reporting.
Participation declined from nearly 1.45 million people to approximately 1.32 million during that period. The total amount of SNAP benefits distributed also fell by about 9%.
Perdue attributed some of the growing pressure on food banks to changes in SNAP that have made food access less predictable for families.
Despite the statewide decline in participation, nearly 10% of Butler County residents were receiving SNAP benefits as of April, according to the report.
The participation figures do not establish why each individual stopped receiving benefits. However, the decline comes as food assistance organizations report increasing demand for their services.
Rising grocery costs add to food insecurity
Higher living costs are another factor contributing to the growing need for food assistance in Greater Cincinnati.
Russo and Perdue told WVXU that families are balancing grocery expenses against other essential costs, including housing, health care and child care.
When households have less money available for food, they may turn to food pantries to help cover the gap.
The strain also affects the organizations providing assistance. Inconsistent donations and higher purchasing costs make it more difficult for pantries to maintain the same quantity and variety of food in every package.
Russo said the financial pressures facing families have helped more people understand why households seek help from food pantries.
As demand continues, Shared Harvest and its partner organizations face the challenge of securing enough food to support families who increasingly depend on their services.
FAQs
How many people does Shared Harvest’s network serve each month?
Shared Harvest executive director Terry Perdue told WVXU that the food bank’s partner network now serves approximately 50,000 people monthly, up from about 30,000 five years ago.
How do rising grocery prices affect food pantries?
Higher grocery prices increase the cost of purchasing food when donations and food bank supplies are insufficient. These expenses can make it harder for pantries to provide consistent quantities and varieties of food to families.
Why are families turning to food banks instead of relying only on SNAP?
Food banks help households whose food budgets fall short of their needs. Changes in benefit participation, higher grocery prices and competing expenses such as rent, medicine and child care can lead families to seek additional assistance.
