Inflation is forcing some Hawaiʻi families to change the way they shop for groceries

“We also need to make sure we have our temporary systems in place, making sure our emergency food system, food banks, food pantries are provisioned,” said Daniela Spoto, Director of Anti-Hunger Initiatives of advocacy firm Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice. “We can use our stimulus funds from the pandemic to support food banks and make sure they are ready to respond when this inevitably results in longer [food distribution] lines.”

But Spoto notes food distribution is only a temporary fix to the real problem.

She hopes lawmakers will invest in systems that address Hawaii’s massive income disparities—like a higher minimum wage and refundable and permanent earned income tax.