The city and St. Pete Free Clinic teamed up to start the Fresh Pace Healthy Neighborhood Store Program.

St. Pete Free Clinic CEO Jennifer Yeagley said she has seen a steady increase in need for food assistance that’s coincided with climbing grocery costs and cost-of-living increases over the past year.

Food prices are up 10% in a single year. Gas prices are up 48% since 2021. Energy costs are up 34% and used car prices are up 16%. That’s leading more people in the Tampa Bay area to trim their budgets with many facing food insecurity for the first time in their lives.