Here’s Why Food Insecurity Increases in Arizona Summers

Cochise County is large and rural, so food insecurity looks different here than in other places. Long stretches of highway often separate families from the nearest grocery store, making it hard to get fresh food.

Wages in the area are lower than the state average, and reliable transportation can be hard to find. In towns such as Willcox, Sunsites, Pearce, Hereford, and Whetstone, public transportation is limited or unavailable.

When summer arrives, these challenges get even harder. Kids who depend on school meals lose that support, electric bills go up, and resources run low. Regional food bank reports show that demand always rises when schools close and utility costs increase.

Related: Community Rally In Sierra Vista To Combat Local Food Needs

Why Does Food Insecurity Increase When School is Out?

When school cafeterias close for the summer, thousands of children in Cochise County lose the free or reduced-price meals they rely on during the school year.

Families have to stretch already tight grocery budgets, and at the same time, electricity and water bills go up with the heat. Seasonal jobs slow down, often because of the weather, and food bank donations drop. Rural households, especially those with seniors on fixed incomes, feel the pressure even more.

READ MORE: Cochise County Food Pantries Need Shelf-Stable Foods

How Does Peaches Pantry Help Local Kids?

A few years ago, teachers in Cochise County saw that some kids were going hungry. They used their own money to make sure these children had food to take home at the end of the day.

Peaches Pantry was created to meet this need. With donations of money and food, Peaches Pantry helps where it matters most. Their weekend and summer food programs make sure kids have enough to eat when school is out.

For many families, these bags of food are what help them get by. In a county where resources are limited, Peaches Pantry fills a gap that no child should fall through. Today, Peaches Pantry provides food to over 400 students, making sure they have meals even when school is closed.

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How Can You Help Right Now?

If you can, donating food or money makes a real and immediate difference for Cochise County’s food banks. You can support Peaches Pantry at PeachesPantry.org or find more resources at CochiseCountyFoodNetwork.com. Every can, every dollar, and every share helps feed our neighbors.

In a rural county like ours, community means looking out for each other. If you want to make a difference this summer, start by providing a meal for someone in need in our area.

Learn more about Peaches Pantry and their founder, Sarah Pacheco, on YouTube: