Seattle-area food banks see record demand
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Food bank visits in Western Washington jumped 25% this year, officials say, driven by stagnant wages, rising costs and more families living on the financial edge.
Why it matters: The surge in food bank visits across Western Washington is part of a larger national trend, highlighting the precarious financial footing of millions of Americans.
The big picture: Hunger relief organizations anticipated a surge in need during the pandemic but have been surprised to see it continue rising, said Food Lifeline spokesperson Mark Coleman.
By the numbers: Visits to more than 500 food banks and meal programs across 17 Western Washington counties climbed from 8 million in 2023 to a staggering 10 million this year, Coleman told Axios.
- The surge in visits mirrors a sharp increase in the number of people relying on food assistance, he said.
- Before the pandemic, Food Lifeline served about 800,000 people annually.
- During the pandemic, that number rose to 1.1 million and has continued increasing, reaching 1.5 million in 2023 and 1.7 million in 2024, Coleman said.
Zoom in: Since 2021, food costs in Western Washington have risen by 20%, making Seattle's food expenses the fourth highest in the nation, according to Food Lifeline.
- That, combined with a rising cost of living and stagnant wage growth among low- to middle-income workers has put some of them in difficult positions, Coleman said.
Between the lines: Food insecurity is no longer limited to areas historically tied to need, like the Central District and Chinatown-International District, Coleman said.
- The West Seattle Food Bank has experienced a 30% increase in demand every year since 2020, development director Robbin Peterson told KING 5.
- "You think West Seattle and you think 'view homes,' but some of our busiest locations are places you might not expect, like the Ballard Food Bank, Edmonds Food Bank and Eastside areas like Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond."
What's next: Food Lifeline has the goal of providing enough for local food banks to create 164,000 meals daily for people next year while addressing the root causes of hunger, per Coleman.
- The efforts include buying locally and offering cooking classes to stretch food budgets and familiarize people with a variety of versatile ingredients.
What to do: Volunteer or donate to either Food Lifeline or your local food banks, said Coleman, and sign up for advocacy alerts on issues affecting food security.