• From the New York Times this morning:
"All across the country, rising prices at grocery stores and restaurants have altered how many Americans — including a good number older than 65 — shop and eat out. While food prices are expected to moderate a bit this year, many people will still feel squeezed. After climbing nearly 10 percent last year, food prices are expected to rise another 7 percent in 2023, according to the Department of Agriculture … Combined with higher transportation and housing prices, the rising cost of food is being felt disproportionately by lower-income households, meaning those with $50,000 or less in annual income, according to a study released in January by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
"And in 2021, about six million Americans over 65 — more than 10 percent of their population — were living below the poverty line, according to data from the Census Bureau. And while Social Security benefits increased by 8.7 percent this year, their biggest inflation adjustment in decades, it is still not enough for many retirees.
"As prices climb, experts worry that older individuals who are in poor physical or mental health or who have lower incomes are at greater risk for not having enough food or for eating less healthy foods. The squeeze also has the potential to isolate them socially, if they back away from activities like eating out with friends."
