In this year's election, the price of groceries emerged as a significant topic of discussion. High living costs have remained in the spotlight across the nation, and in Wyoming, these costs have kept the Food Bank of Wyoming actively engaged. This fiscal year, as documented in their 2024 Impact Report, the Evansville-based nonprofit has provided groceries to over 55,000 people and distributed approximately 10 million meals. Remarkably, this represents a 25 percent increase in the number of meals distributed compared to last year.

Executive Director's Perspective

Jill Stillwagon, the Food Bank's executive director, emphasized that the increase in meal distribution is a response to the current situation on the ground. "Food insecurity remains an urgent issue across Wyoming. The demand for food assistance is higher than it has been in the past 10 years," she stated. According to Feeding America's 2024 Map the Meal Gap study, one in seven adults and one in five children in Wyoming face food insecurity.The Food Bank of Wyoming collaborates with more than 150 "Hunger Relief Partners," including pantries, programs, and organizations, to address this need. They also support a number of mobile pantries that operate across the state each month.

Challenges Faced by Neighbors

Stillwagon noted that she and statewide partners have witnessed longer lines at pantries and mobile pantries. "Many neighbors are encountering rough patches and challenges, such as job losses or increases in living costs like housing and rental prices, which are significantly impacting their budgets. As a result, they are turning to the support network available to them," she explained.Looking ahead to 2025, the Food Bank will continue to purchase from local producers with a more than $500,000 Local Food Purchasing Agreement Grant from the USDA. So far, they have sourced roughly 72,000 pounds of produce, 15,000 pounds of protein, and 1,200 pounds of grains from eight different regional producers. This has meant an increased supply of beets, carrots, zucchini, lamb, and beef going to families, along with about 40,000 ears of fresh sweet corn from 1890 Farms in Riverton. "This program has been crucial in nourishing Wyoming neighbors facing hunger while also supporting the local producers we purchase from and their local communities," she said.

USDA Grants and Their Impact

The Food Bank also received funding from the USDA through its Reach and Resiliency Grant, which focuses on helping state agencies better understand barriers to accessing food through the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This grant specifically examines Albany, Converse, Lincoln, Park, Sheridan, and Sublette counties, which Stillwagon described as areas with a high number of people in need and limited access to TEFAP. "This grant will help us determine how many Wyomingites actually qualify for TEFAP, and it turns out that there are a significant number of neighbors. When considering access, how can we add more partner pantries to distribute TEFAP?" she asked.The Food Bank also aims to expand its FRESH Express Route program in 2025. Launched as a pilot in 2023, this program makes additional deliveries of fresh produce to more than 50 partners throughout the state. They also plan to enhance their food rescue program by connecting more partners to local convenience or grocery stores to pick up and redistribute food that is nearing the end of its shelf life.