1 in 6 Floridians now depends on food stamps, government says
Fallen middle class turns to government aid, food banks
By William E. Gibson, Washington Bureau
12:44 p.m. EST, December 21, 2011
WASHINGTON –—
As Floridians prepare to celebrate the year-end holidays with food and festivity, the U.S. government has delivered some distressing news: the number of state residents who rely on food stamps has nearly tripled since the Great Recession.
Figures released this month by the Agriculture Department paint a grim picture of widespread dependence nationwide but especially in Florida, where a record 3.1 million people — one in six residents — received food-stamp aid in September.
The numbers reflect a need witnessed every day by those who distribute food to the poor and to the growing ranks of Floridians who have fallen out of the middle and working classes.
Food banks in South and Central Florida report that they can hardly keep up with the demand for emergency assistance. Even some who once donated food now seek help for themselves.
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