In this powerful episode of Shelf Life: The True Cost of Food, host Adilee Rich steps away from the world of policy briefs and data-driven presentations to focus on what truly matters: the people living behind the statistics.

For years, Adilee’s fight for food access has been geared toward policymakers, highlighting the widening gap between fresh and processed foods, the impossible choices low-income families face, and the numbers that define a nationwide crisis. But today, she shifts the spotlight.

This episode brings forward real stories from across communities, students navigating empty lunch accounts, families stretching groceries through the week, and individuals quietly battling food insecurity in ways that rarely make headlines. Through gentle narration and deeply human moments, Adilee reminds us that food insecurity isn’t just a chart or a trend; it’s an everyday reality shaping kitchens, classrooms, and conversations across all backgrounds.

“Voices from Every Corner” invites listeners to slow down, listen closely, and see the true cost of food through the eyes of those living it. It’s emotional, grounding, and a call to recognize that behind every statistic is a story that deserves to be heard.

Disclaimer:

*This episode and its contents were created as part of a class project at NCSU.*