(Natural News)—As the Christmas holiday approaches, food banks in the U.S. are grappling with strained resources due to inflation.
In a survey conducted by impact technology company Divert Inc, only 25 percent of respondents were more likely to donate during this holiday season because of the escalating cost of food and groceries. Moreover, the survey found that the current economic climate has led 72 percent of Americans to alter their grocery shopping habits, with 51 percent stating that rising grocery prices are forcing them to cut costs in other areas.
Even the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a major supporter of food bank supplies, is also grappling with inflation, making it more challenging to purchase food for charitable purposes. The results of Divert’s survey mirror the current situation of several food banks in the country.
Feeding America, a nonprofit organization overseeing a network of over 200 food banks across the country, reveals that over 150 of their food banks reported increased or steady demand earlier this year as food prices surged. In Wisconsin’s Milwaukee County, a network of 47 food pantries noted a 50 percent increase in visits. Food banks in Morgan, Oregon also experienced a similar surge in demand.
Feeding America COO Katie Fitzgerald cited the combination of increased demand, decreased supply and high inflation as reasons behind a “perfect storm for long lines at the bank.” Soaring food prices and a drop in donations have left many food bank warehouses thinly stocked.
She further disclosed that food banks originally received donations from manufacturers with surplus supplies. But with fewer public donations, food banks are forced to purchase more food themselves. Based on the group’s data, there was a seven percent decrease in donated food in the year ending June compared to the previous year and 18 percent more pounds of food from July to September 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.
Food banks can’t help hungry Americans anymore
Food inflation has become a defining narrative of 2022, with the price of Thanksgiving staple turkey alone increasing by 17 percent in September of that year. Several reports from consumer surveys and analyses have revealed that food insecurity and grocery shopping capabilities not only affect American food banks but also American households. (Related: Food insecurity a growing problem in U.S. – America turning into a third-world country.)
In the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, the River of Life food pantry led by Pastor John Brzozowski used to serve meals to 35 people every two months. Now, the demand has increased and they are serving 60 people. The community faces a higher demand for food assistance, with many individuals visiting multiple food banks each week.
While the pantry continues to provide for those in need, the quantity of items offered has decreased. For example, clients may only get one meat item instead of two, The impact of the challenging pandemic, ongoing inflation and a general sense of uncertainty about the future is evident on the faces of families seeking help – with some are approaching a food bank for the first time.
Eric Cooper, president of the San Antonio Food Bank, revealed that these families have been struggling for a while, and the pandemic has pushed them further.
“With the demand being so great, the supply being so short, and inflation being high, it’s just a perfect storm for long lines at the bank. We’re still pressing forward to make sure we can make it happen for those families. But the reality is we’re having to substitute … every day right now,” he said.
Visit FoodRationing.news for more news related to food shortages and rationing. Watch this video about how lab-grown meat gets closer to Americans’ dinner tables.
This video is from the SILVIEW.media channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
- Food insecurity worsening already following Russian invasion of Ukraine, as countries begin withholding exports and hoarding commodities.
- Food tyranny: NYC to monitor household food consumption as biotech companies take over food production.
- FOOD COLLAPSE: UK supermarkets rationing vegetables as food shortages worsen.
- 10 Million more Americans struggled with HUNGER in 2022 compared to the previous year.
- GLOBALISTS weaponized the food supply toward starvation because COVID-19 vaccines were not enough to depopulate the world, Mike Adams tells Maria Zeee.
Sources include:
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.