Nearly two decades ago, a $100 bill could feed a family of 4 in San Diego for nearly a week. Now that same bill barely fills a plastic bag today. As grocery prices climb faster than wages, reports show that low-income Black Americans are feeling the impact the hardest.
“We know that families are now spending a growing share of their income on food, and this is particularly the case for lower-income families,” says Dr. Sally Sadoff, Professor of Economics and Strategy at the University of California, San Diego.
Nearly two decades ago, a family could shop at their local grocery store and see prices that fit within their budget. In 2005, the average cost of a loaf of bread was $1.58, a dozen eggs was $1.22, and a pack of chicken hovered around $1.06 a pound. At a local Albertsons, a gallon of milk costs $4.19, while a package of 10 chicken thighs is priced at $2.69 per pound, totaling $12.11 per package…