It may feel like the pandemic is winding down, but with inflation on the rise many families are still struggling to put food on the table. In addition to higher food prices, Americans are also paying more for gasoline and rent. Overall, the Consumer Price Index increased by 7.9% in February, the fastest pace of inflation in 40 years.
New data from DataTrek shows that Google searches for the term “food stamps” are still well above pre-pandemic levels. While nowhere near the peak in April 2020, when millions of people lost their jobs at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, searches for food stamps indicate we are yet to fully recover.
Details from the report are below, but if you need assistance applying for food stamps — also known as SNAP/EBT — Wholesome Wave Georgia is here to help. Visit our Georgia SNAP Connection webpage here to find resources or to connect with a member of our team to help you apply for SNAP benefits.
Additionally, our Georgia Fresh for Less program matches SNAP/EBT spending for fresh, healthy, local food purchases at farmers markets, farmstands, and select grocers across the state. Learn more about that progam here.
From Yahoo Finance
Google search volumes are still running 100% higher than pre-pandemic levels (see chart below), according to DataTrek. Search volumes have trended higher since the start of 2022 as inflation has accelerated, notably at the gas pump.
Volumes peaked in April 2020 as millions of people lost their job due to the crushing COVID-19 pandemic.
