For many families, the grocery list hasn’t changed much, but the total at checkout sure has. Grocery costs have climbed roughly 33% since 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a stark contrast to when they rose just 6.4% in total from 2012 through 2019.
And the increases are expected to continue. The department projects food costs will rise 3.1% in 2026 and another 3.1% in 2027.
Prices have soared most on staples such as beef, fresh vegetables and coffee. Beef prices were up 9.4% in July from a year earlier, while fresh vegetables rose 6.3% and nonalcoholic beverages, including coffee, climbed 4.1%, according to the USDA…