(Franklin County, MA) Local food pantries are seeing an increase in demand as food insecurity grows. The Franklin Area Survival Center has seen a 12% increase in food pantry participation over the past year, they are expecting to serve nearly 200 holiday meals. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has reported the increase in demand as well as increase in food insecure populations in Franklin County, with 9.9% of the community experiencing food insecurity. That number is slightly higher in children, with 12.6% of children in Franklin County experiencing food insecurity. And in addition to the increased demand at local pantries and food banks, resources to supply the food are also struggling as prices continue to rise.