(WBNG) — As Thanksgiving approaches, the rising cost of food has been a continuous talking point as Americans face issues putting food on the table, especially those on SNAP benefits following the government shutdown.

In a response to a recent survey conducted by Hunger Free America, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D, NY) held a news conference on Wednesday, demanding better policies from Congress to combat hunger in America.

The survey looked at 1,718 families, mostly before the shutdown, from across the country, who earn an annual income of less than $100,000. From the survey’s findings, 81% of people said prices they paid for food and other basic living costs increased either greatly or somewhat in the past year.

From that same group, more than half said it was harder to afford the

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