Why Your Grocery Bill Feels Bigger Than Ever — and 5 Practical Ways To Fight Back Without Skipping Meals
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Newly released inflation data shows grocery prices continue to rise, making basic household expenses even harder to manage. The consumer price index increased 0.3% in February and 2.4% from a year earlier. Food prices were a big driver of consumer inflation, rising 0.4% for the month and up 3.1% from a year ago.
Even as food prices continue to climb, there are still ways to keep grocery spending under control.
Why Grocery Prices Feel Higher Than Ever
In 2026, food-at-home prices are predicted to rise by 2.5%, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. This is slower than the 20-year historical average rate of price increase, which is 2.6%.
It may be slower than average this year, but food prices jumped by 23.6% between 2020 and 2024, Economic Research Service data shows, including a 9.9% spike in 2022 alone, the fastest increase in decades.
Since then, food prices have stabilized, but it doesn’t mean grocery prices have fallen back to where they were a few years ago. Some categories will also increase more than others.
For example, the Department of Agriculture predicts beef prices will rise by 9.4% on average, but could be as high as 16.6%, FoodNavigator-USA reported. The publication also noted that many households have shifted discretionary spending toward groceries, while younger consumers snack more frequently and food trends push shoppers to try new products.
How To Save on Food
Shoppers can’t control inflation, but a few changes can help them save money.
Plan Meals in Advance
According to the Department of Agriculture, meal planning is one of the best ways to save money. The average American family of four loses about $1,500 each year on uneaten food.
Planning meals before grocery shopping can help reduce food waste and prevent impulsive purchases at the store or when ordering takeout.Â
Buy in Bulk
Buying in larger quantities often means paying a lower price per unit or ounce. While the shelf price may look higher, unit pricing reflects the actual cost per unit and makes it easier to compare value across different package sizes.
Buy Store-Brand
It may be tempting to reach for the brand-name products we know and love, but store brands can be just as good, and typically at a lower price.
As reported by Consumer Reports, some experts say shoppers often make no sacrifice in quality when they choose store brands. They also cost 15% to 25% less than their name-brand counterparts, which increases to 35% to 50% for personal care and health products.
Search for Deals
Take advantage of loyalty programs and search for deals in your store’s app. You can also use cash-back apps to earn money back on your grocery purchases. This typically works by returning a percentage of what you spend.
Look Into SNAP
If your household meets your state’s income and asset limits, you may qualify for SNAP benefits. Benefit amounts are determined by subtracting 30% of your household’s net monthly income from the maximum monthly allotment for your household size, according to the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service.
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