With inflation rates increasing throughout California and the Central Valley, the news team at The Collegian talked with students on their experience budgeting for gasoline and food with increased prices.
Struggles of commuting with record gas prices
As early as August many drivers saw the decline in prices, with some of the lowest in the Central Valley since the start of the Russia-Ukraine War. California saw a major spike exceeding previous records.
The Los Angeles Times reported that “California is facing surging oil prices in the wake of shutdowns at several oil refineries that produce a specific grade of fuel for the state.”
In Fresno County, the current average gas price peaked at $6.20 per gallon, according to AAA.com. Since last year, the county has seen nearly a $2 increase compared with the $4.35 average price in 2021.
Many Fresno State students feel the impact this has had on their wallets, especially with those who commute to the university..
Consuelo Ruiz, a Fresno State student, currently lives in Riverdale and commutes 33 miles to the university campus, as well as to her job located in Fresno.
Ruiz said she refuels her car two times a week, and with the increasing price of gas, she has to watch her spending to make it through the week.
“I know if I spend too much, then I won’t be able to fill up my tank therefore meaning me not being able to go to school or work,” Ruiz stated.
Paying in excess of $700 a month on only half tank fill-ups, the thought of spending over $100 on one single full tank of gas is an unsettling thought that many like Ruiz have to face.
Other students who commute to and from school are now having to make use of alternative forms of transportation.
Fresno State student Haylee Ortega said that she regularly uses her siblings to commute to and from campus as a way to save money at the pump.
“I just don’t want to buy anything because of how expensive everything is at the moment. I feel like it’s going to get worse and it makes me think, ‘Is my paycheck going to be enough?” Ortega said.
Fresno State students are able to use Fresno and Clovis transit systems for free, along with the Visalia V-Line to help commuters near the Visalia area.
Former services like the Bulldog Express have yet to become operational since the school reopening. Other transportation options for commuters such as the V-Line transit services, Fresno FAX buses and Clovis transit services are available for free for students through their Bulldog ID.
Food inflation leading to food insecurity at Fresno State
This past year has seen the largest annual spike in food prices since 1979, according to CNN Business. Since September 2022, the cost of food has risen 11.4%.
One reason is because food supplies can’t meet the demand due to COVID-19 and China closing its trade routes due to lockdown, according to Forbes. This has led to increased prices and higher rates of food insecurity.
Fresno State students shared their experiences with food insecurity due to rising prices and expressed concerns about where to buy their food.
According to a 2018 report from Basics Needs Initiative, a research project funded by the California State University (CSU) Office of the Chancellor, 41% of CSU students said they face food insecurity.
Food insecurity is defined as a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
The rate of food insecurity for women, at 42.6%, was slightly higher than the rate for men at 39.3%, the report revealed.
It also said that 49% of first-generation college students face higher rates of food insecurity than non-first-generation college students within the CSU system. In addition, 43.2% of transfer students face food insecurity.
In terms of race and ethnicity, the highest food insecurity is 65.9% for Black students and second for non-white Hispanics at 62.7%. Last fall semester, Hispanics and Latinos made up over half of the student population for Fresno State, according to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
Some students use the Student Cupboard, which offers free food to Fresno State students every day, for convenient on-campus meals. Others use it as an alternative to grocery stores.
Jared Carpenter is a Fresno State student who recently transferred from Fresno City College. The cupboard has helped Carpenter focus on his studies rather than whether or not he has something to eat at school or at home.
“This really helps me because I have pasta and macaroni, and [now] I have dinner sorted out tonight,” Carpenter said.
He pitches in money for food for his family. He gives his parents $250 monthly, which is also needed for rent, but a majority of it goes to food, Carpenter said.
“It’s basically money for whatever my parents need to use. They can use that, but a lot of it does go toward food… That’s like two grocery trips. That’s a lot,” he said.
Another source students can use is CalFresh, a program that helps low-income individuals buy food and create nutritional meal plans. It’s a help in times of high inflation.
Logan Mouawangyee, a Fresno State student and worker at the Student Cupboard, said he recently explained CalFresh qualifications to students entering the facility, including how eligibility is determined by the number of hours per week an individual works, their monthly income and their household size.
International students can’t qualify for CalFresh, however. That’s a problem for students like Stephine Sharon, who is majoring in biotechnology.
“It’s really hard to get a part-time job on campus, so I use pocket money from my parents to help me pay for some food and needs,” Sharon said.
International students also aren’t allowed to work outside of school, which makes it particularly hard to buy food in times of high inflation.
Sharon said the Student Cupboard is helping her with food items she can’t afford, like milk, which is offered for free.
According to CNN Business, the price of milk increased 17% this year.
Other common grocery items, like bread, eggs and flour, are also more expensive, as well as meat and poultry. Chicken prices jumped 16.6%, while meat rose 6.7%. Fruits and vegetables together are up 9.4%.
Written by Ramon Castaños & Noah Chavez