She’s one of many people doing what they can to get by in Riverside, California, part of a region known as the Inland Empire — which saw a 9.4% annual inflation rate in May, one of the highest in the nation. The average inflation rate across all US urban areas, as measured by the Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index, was 8.6% for May. One of the key factors contributing to higher inflation in the Inland Empire is population growth during the pandemic. People moved from big cities to neighboring counties that were relatively more affordable, like Riverside and San Bernardino counties. “With this gleaning opportunity, it is a supplemental option for us to allocate more produce, more nutritious goods back to the community,” said Annissa Fitch, communications coordinator for Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino.

Source: CNN July 28, 2022 19:38 UTC