It may be the world's richest nation, but even in America the rising cost of food is claiming victims. Some senior citizens who rely on food stamps are having to make compromises just to put food on the table.

The senior citizens traipse the streets daily, going to different markets in search of the cheapest prices.

The maximum state help for one person is $US 162 per month in food stamps.
More than 1.1 million New Yorkers receive food stamps.

“We give out frozen meals as well as fruit, milk and juice on a weekly basis, and monthly we give out cans, noodles and cereals, something that will last for a month,” says Esther Beyderman, Jewish Community Council Food Pantry Co-ordinator.

While more and more seniors are struggling to afford food, some fruit and vegetable markets are actually throwing products out. Some products may be a few days old, but many cash strapped customers say they would have bought them if they were sold at half price.

In the first quarter of this year, U.S. food costs increased more than 5%, but food stamp benefits have not been adjusted for inflation.