UPDATE: Many Mainers are drastically altering their holiday meal plans as soaring food prices and economic pressures hit home this season. Families are turning to local food pantries for the first time, struggling to provide traditional feasts for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
In Waterville, Maine, Sara Long’s family has celebrated Christmas with a lavish Lebanese feast for generations. This year, however, rising food costs are forcing them to cut back significantly. Long anticipates paying at least 15% to 25% more for essential ingredients such as ground sirloin and pine nuts, leading to a smaller, less festive holiday gathering.
Long stated, “It’s hard to pare back on our cultural celebration of the year,” emphasizing the emotional toll of financial constraints. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that food prices have surged nationally by as much as 4% year-over-year. Although this growth is lower than in recent years, prices are still up 27% since February 2020, before the pandemic began.
University of New England professor of supply chain management, Amir Mousavian, highlights that while Maine’s food price hikes align with national trends, stagnant wages exacerbate the issue. “Many households feel the squeeze because wage growth hasn’t kept pace with rising prices,” he noted.
Families across Maine are feeling the effects. Megan Newsome from Lisbon, living with seven family members, has turned to area food pantries for holiday meals due to reduced SNAP benefits. “Times are rough right now,” she shared, indicating she will likely rely on food assistance again for Christmas.
“A STRUGGLE FOR FOOD” is becoming a common theme. Families like the Wards from Livermore Falls are also making sacrifices. Raychel Ward, a stay-at-home mom, explained that they opted to stay home for Christmas to save on travel expenses. “Whatever we end up doing is going to be born out of what’s already in the pantry,” she said.
With rising costs, many Mainers are looking for creative ways to save. Diane O’Hara of Litchfield found that cooking from scratch not only saves money but can also yield better-tasting meals. This Thanksgiving, she hosted fewer guests due to travel costs but shared in the joy of homemade dishes, including dinner rolls and pies, crafted by her visitors.
Despite these challenges, some families are finding a silver lining. O’Hara remarked, “Because of the creativity of our guests, I think this Thanksgiving was one of the best we’ve had.” Cooking from scratch, she argues, can lead to both significant savings and healthier meals.
FOOD PANTRIES SEE HIGH DEMAND as many struggle to afford holiday meals for the first time. The Yarmouth Community Food Pantry is among local organizations stepping up to help families in need. Increased reliance on such resources highlights the ongoing economic strain many Mainers face.
Experts predict that food prices will remain elevated, with Mousavian stating, “Inflation has eased, but many upstream costs remain high, so prices are likely to stay steady or continue rising modestly into 2026.”
As families adjust their holiday traditions in response to these economic pressures, the impact is clear: the spirit of the season is being challenged by the harsh reality of rising costs. Mainers are finding new ways to celebrate, but the heartache of reduced holiday feasts is palpable.
WHAT’S NEXT? As Christmas approaches, families will continue to navigate these tough economic waters. The use of food pantries may become even more prevalent, and the trend of budget-conscious holiday meals seems set to persist. The emotional toll of these changes is significant, as families strive to maintain cherished traditions amidst financial hardship.
Stay tuned for updates on how local communities are responding to these challenges as the holiday season unfolds.