MIDDLEBURY — Inflation, housing instability and the rising costs of fuel have all contributed to unprecedented use of the Middlebury food shelf at Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects (HOPE) this summer. And record rainfall this summer is taking a toll on some local fruit and vegetable crops, which doesn’t bode well for HOPE’s annual gleaning effort that adds nutritional value to the diets of low-income residents who depend on charitable food programs. HOPE Executive Director Jeanne Montross reported the nonp … (read more)
