WHEELING, W.Va. — Food prices may soon go up. President Trump has issued executive orders that impose hefty tariffs: 25 percent on imports from Canada and Mexico, and 10 percent on goods from China.
Food banks and pantries are getting ready for the effects of these changes.
In 2023, the U.S. Census reported that 36.8 million people live below the poverty line. In some local areas, this accounts for about 18 percent of the population. Many of these individuals rely on food banks to meet their daily needs.
Michael Linger, the executive director of The House of the Carpenter, pointed out another vulnerable group: the working poor, often referred to as ALICE—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. This group represents an additional 30 to 33 percent of local families.
All told, nearly half of the local residents could feel the pinch from these tariffs. Linger noted, “It’s going to make it harder for families to stretch their budgets to buy enough food.”
To prepare, The House of the Carpenter has been stocking up since November. This year, the budget for their pantry has increased by 25 percent due to expected higher demand.
“It’s a really stressful time,” Linger said. “When you have kids to feed, you feel the pressure to plan meals. You want to provide for them, but uncertainty makes it tough.”
Meanwhile, the Mountaineer Food Bank, a major supplier for local pantries, is also experiencing limited supplies, pushing costs up even further.
Though the President announced a temporary 30-day pause on the tariffs, organizations like The House of the Carpenter are actively seeking more donations to strengthen their food supplies.
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Food banks,Tariffs,Food prices,Poverty line,ALICE,Financial impact,Demand,Donations
