Rising food costs cause people to skip meals, avoid dairy, alcohol, meat to cope financially

Jobseeker recipient Karin Haevecker says without the community garden, she would not have fruit or vegetables to eat. (ABC Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert)

Skipping meals, choosing cheaper cuts of meat, and leaving overpriced vegetables out of the shopping basket are some of the cost-saving decisions families are making as food prices soar and mortgage repayments rise.

Bendigo Jobseeker recipient Karin Haevecker said she was skipping meals, due to increasing costs.