Food prices rise at fastest rate in 23 months
One of the issues the elderly with fixed incomes face is the significant impact of food inflation. In trying this week to put a spot light on the challenges facing a demographically skewed rural England this article profiles much to concern us in this context.
It explains – “Overall, shop prices climbed 2.3pc in the past year, according to the monthly index from the trade body and researchers Nielsen, down from 2.5pc in April. However, food prices rose at more than double that rate – 4.9pc in the year to May, marking a pick-up in pace from the 4.7pc rate seen the previous month.
“Recent volatility in the cost of key commodities, linked to dry weather and global demand, is now working through to the shop price of some food,” said Stephen Robertson, the BRC’s director general.
“Disappointing crops and demand from the biofuel industry have helped corn prices rise 112pc in an year and wheat 72pc.”
I know first tier authorities with their responsibilities around adult social care will be concerned from a statutory point of view about this but I wonder what District Councils and the Voluntary and Community sector might do to help tackle the worst effects of it on their residents?