University Of Iowa College Of Public Health

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Hannah Shultz to unpack what rising food prices actually mean for food access and food insecurity in the United States. From grocery store sticker shock to broader policy decisions, this conversation connects everyday experiences to the larger systems shaping who can afford to eat and how. We explore how inflation, supply chain dynamics, and labor challenges are influencing the cost of food, along with the role of federal policy, including the Farm Bill and SNAP, in shaping access across communities. The conversation also highlights why food insecurity is not a one-size-fits-all issue and how unpredictability in prices and income can make it even harder for households to stay food secure. This is part one of a two-part series. Be sure to tune in next week as we continue the conversation. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-food-systems-under-pressure-part-1/ Have a question for o