ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – “It’s a very scary time for people,” said Rebecca Snapp, director of community engagement for The Salvation Army of Rochester.

According to the USDA, food prices are already relatively high compared to years past, and they expect that to continue for whatever consumers put on your plate.

“I used to be able to buy a pack of chicken for a few dollars, and now I’m down to almost $23 a pack of chicken,” Ashley Wainis said.

“I certainly try not to worry too much, but it affects the budget,” Heather Pilgrim said.

Silver Lake Foods in Rochester says it has a loyal group of buyers, so the number of buyers hasn’t dwindled. However, they added that many are changing their shopping habits. Their buyers would agree.

“We did a lot of bulk buying,” Wainis said.

“I buy branded products instead of brand names,” said Pilgrim

“I find myself not buying as much, I just buy what I need for the week,” Brian Erwin said.

Food costs don’t just hit grocery shoppers. Food banks and food aisles are also seeing these effects.

“We’ve definitely seen an increase in need,” said Jessica Sund, director of development and communications at Channel One Regional Food Bank in southeast Minnesota.

“The rising cost of everything is definitely making it even harder for all the working families we see,” Snapp said.

Channel One Food Bank and the Salvation Army of Rochester see it from both sides: with more people needing more food and with donors giving less.

“A lot of these manufacturers that were giving us large donations, those got a little tighter,” Sund said.

“There’s definitely a year’s worth of food in that food shelf,” Snapp said.

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