¡°We¡¯ve got to do two things at once. Get food to the hungry now, but also help countries build up their agricultural 6productivity 7resilience.¡±

The conflict directly hitting supplies of critical foodstuffs, like wheat, corn, and sunflower oil while also impacting global agricultural production.

¡°Here¡¯s the thing that will affect the United States: 25% of the world¡¯s export of nitrogen-based 8fertilizer comes from Russia/Ukraine. And we don¡¯t have a 9viable 10substitute for that yet.¡±

Here at home, many Americans feeling the effects and for some, it could get worse.

"We¡¯re preparing for an increased demand for food."

The rising cost of food is now set to collide with an end to COVID-era food assistance policy that increased SNAP benefits.

¡°It¡¯s almost a 11twofold effect, the benefit levels going down and people are already struggling with high food prices.¡±

An estimated 16 million households receiving SNAP benefits will see them decrease by at least $95 a month beginning this month. But as food banks prepare to provide increased assistance to those in need, there is hope that a strong 12jobs market and improving wages will 13soften the blow.