(ABC 6 News) – Data from Hunger Solutions found Minnesotans made 5.5 million food shelf visits in 2022, 1.9 million more than 2021 and almost equal to the state’s population.

On average, food shelves saw nearly 459,000 visits a month in 2022, almost double that of 2021.

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Steele County saw the tenth highest growth in visits, increasing by almost 170% between 2021 to 2022.

Lincoln County topped the charts, seeing a 442.2% increase in visits between 2021 to 2022.

According to Hunger Solutions, two factors played into the spikes: food price inflation and loss of food support programs (i.e. stimulus payments, emergency SNAP benefits, universal school meals and unemployment insurance).

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According to the US Department of Agriculture, food prices increased by 5.8% in 2023.

And while prices are expected to slowdown in 2024 (prices will still increase by 1.3%), some products should still skyrocket: the USDA anticipates egg prices will increase by 27.3% and cereals/bakery products by 12%.