Rising Grocery Costs Push Americans Back To Budget-Friendly Staples

Rising Grocery Costs Push Americans Back To Budget-Friendly Staples
Jimbo,
Aldi Grocery Store To Open In Midtown Manhattan
Bags on display in an Aldi grocery store in New York City, U.S. June 17, 2026. REUTERS/Vincent Alban

A new survey of 2,000 Americans finds grocery budget pressures are dramatically changing how people shop and cook. Nearly a third (31%) say they cook at home more than a year ago. Respondents believe $100 should cover almost two more meals than it actually does. Meat and poultry consume the largest budget share, cited by 60%. Minimizing food waste (73%), shelf life (72%), and nutritional value (71%) are top purchasing priorities. More than half of respondents (60%) reported that they build their weekly meal plans around ingredient overlap. Potatoes ranked as the most versatile staple ingredient (40%), with 48% viewing them more positively than a year ago. Story URL

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