The price of groceries increased by 9.9% in 2022 when inflation was at its most recent peak, making it the most elevated cost increase since 1979, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture . Inflation and supply chain disruptions made it so no one factor affected the price hike in goods.
In 2023, prices increased by 5.8%, but “prices were also lower in August 2024 than August 2023 for five food-at-home categories: fish and seafood, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, cereals and bakery products and the ‘other foods’ category,” per the summary.
That said, millions of Americans still struggle to pay for groceries even if prices have eased. A recent poll by Savings.com found that 1 in 3 Americans stress about being able to put food on the table, and nearly 80% of American adults have reduced their grocery list because of high prices.
“Affordability is more of a concern for healthy, nutritious foods, which can be more expensive,” the report said. “For example, the costs associated with transporting a truckload of canned goods are dramatically different from transporting fresh meat or produce that needs to be refrigerated throughout its journey. All these costs are passed onto consumers, who may be forced to choose a less-fresh option for financial reasons.”