Published March 11, 2025
Have you noticed the rising prices at your local grocery store? You’re not alone. Many people are feeling the pressure as food costs climb. With prices on the rise, families are juggling budgets and making tough choices. Some are even skipping meals to save money.
Grocery Prices on the Rise
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that grocery prices have increased by an average of 2.6% per year for the past two decades. However, in 2025, they’re expected to jump by 3.3%, surpassing that historic average. Between 2020 and 2024, food prices skyrocketed, rising over 23.6% during the pandemic. In 2022 alone, groceries saw an 11.4% increase— the most significant spike since the Great Recession of 2008.
As food prices keep climbing, households are feeling the pinch. In 2023, people spent an average of 12.9% of their income on food. This was the third-largest expense after housing and transportation. Combined, essential needs like housing, food, health, and transportation take up 70% of the average budget.
For low-income families, the situation is even tougher. They spend about 30% of their income on food, making every dollar count. Rising prices mean they have to make difficult choices between essentials like food, rent, and healthcare. These tough decisions lead to food insecurity, affecting nearly 47.4 million people in the U.S. as of 2023.
Instead of easing these burdens, some lawmakers are suggesting cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program is crucial for millions, providing essential support to over 42 million individuals and families facing hunger.
Why SNAP Matters
SNAP plays a vital role during economic crises. For example, during the pandemic in 2020, emergency allotments helped prevent a rise in food insecurity as many lost their jobs. In previous economic downturns, such as in 2009, boosts to SNAP benefits helped improve food security and stimulated local economies. When families can afford food, everyone benefits.
Unfortunately, proposed cuts to SNAP could impact millions of households, especially those with children, seniors, and people with disabilities. These cuts would make it harder for families to access food, forcing them into even more challenging situations.
How You Can Help
- Contact your Congressional representatives and express your opposition to SNAP cuts. Sharing facts about the importance of SNAP in your state can make a difference.
- Participate in the SNAP Challenge from March 18-20. Test your skills at living on the average SNAP benefit of about $6 per person per day. Document your experience and share it with your elected officials and on social media. This can highlight the need to strengthen SNAP.
With grocery prices soaring, SNAP provides a crucial lifeline to many families. Cutting this support would only worsen an already tough situation. It’s time to take action to protect SNAP and support those in need.
