Utah Food Pantries Are In Highest Demand In Years

Utah’s cost of living is pretty high and is only getting higher causing more people to look toward food banks for help.  

Utah food banks are an essential part of the community, helping those who can’t afford the rising cost of groceries. They keep food on the table and ease some stress for Utah families. However, those food banks are only seeing an increase in their usage this year. 

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that the Utah Food Bank distributed 72 million pounds of food from March 1, 2024, to March 1, 2025. This is a significant increase from 2020 to 2021 when 66.5 million pounds of food was distributed.  

A Utah Food Bank in Spanish Fork saw a 65% increase in demand.  

One of the issues that the Utah Food Bank has been looking at is the impact that tariffs will have on food pricing, the SLT said. Even looking at more local places like California brings in questions of fires, rain and production issues.  

Federal cuts are also a concern like the SNAP program which could be cut but is still up in the air.  

Planning is becoming more difficult for food banks and the Utah Food Bank is anticipating a rough four years.  

More Utahns than ever are needing assistance from these places. Lines are long and feeding hundreds if not thousands of people is going to be a challenge.  

The Utah Food Bank did a drive on March 15, but you can always donate food supplies to them. Places like Harmon’s have bins that go to the Utah Food Banks and are always looking for volunteers at local locations.