Rob:  Joining me now is Chaz Kyser.  Well Chaz, while it is encouraging to see what these young people are doing, I can't help but be just a little surprised how many people are needing help.
Chaz:  Oh Rob, I was very surprised too.  But I eventually found out that only four other states have a higher percentage of their population facing the threat of hunger.
Rob:  So exactly what percentage of Oklahoma’s population are we talking about?
Chaz:  Okay, well, according to the U S Department of Agriculture about 15 percent of Oklahomans are classified as "food insecure," which basically means they don’t have enough food to fully meet their basic needs because of a lack of financial resources.
Rob:  So, the increase of the cost of gas obviously is to blame for some of these higher food prices.  Is there anything else that’s contributing to the problem?
Chaz:  Oh definitely.  The median household income has fallen from about 4 to 5 percent because of inflation and just the inability of wages to keep up with the rising costs.  So people really, they just have even less money to purchase food now.
Rob:  Well, thank you, Chaz.  And if you would like to learn more about the impact fuel prices are having on the cost of food, head to our website at OkHorizon.com, and click on this week’s value added.