apparently someone last went grocery shopping when Trump was still on the Apprentice... or doesn't have to feed a family on a regular basis
U.S. grocery and food prices have increased significantly between 2016 and 2026, driven by a cumulative overall food price jump of around 40% to 45% (with specific staple baskets and household estimates showing higher cumulative increases depending on the items tracked). [1, 2]
Key Breakdown of Grocery Inflation (2016–2026)
Overall Cumulative Food Inflation: According to data from the Food Price Inflation Index, cumulative food price inflation from 2016 to 2026 reflects an increase of roughly 40.6%. Other market basket studies (such as retail tracking by FORM) note that a typical cart of supermarket staples rose by roughly 45% over this decade span. [1, 2]
Family Grocery Costs: The average monthly cost of groceries for a U.S. family rose from approximately $600 per month ($7,200 annually) in 2016 to around $1,000 per month ($12,000 annually) by 2026, marking a significant shift in household budgets. [1]
Staple Item Price Increases (2016 vs. 2026):
Ground Coffee: Up ~117.9% (from ~$4.41 to ~$9.61 per lb)
Ground Beef: Up ~69.2% (from ~$3.96 to ~$6.70 per lb)
White Rice: Up ~49.3% (from ~$0.71 to ~$1.06 per lb)
Potatoes: Up ~30.8%
Milk & Chicken & Bread: Up ~27% to 28%
Eggs & Bananas: Up ~11% to 13% [1]
Major Drivers: The decade-long surge has been fueled by post-2020 macroeconomic inflation, global supply chain disruptions, higher transportation and fuel expenses, labor shortages, and agricultural shocks (such as avian influenza outbreaks affecting poultry and eggs). [1]
Current Trend (2026): Food inflation has cooled from its peak rates in 2022 (which hit over 11%), dropping to an annualized rate of about 2.5% to 2.7% by late 2026, with "food at home" (grocery) prices pacing around 1.8% year-over-year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. [1, 2]
Trump Kool Aid is still cheap though...
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Crnr2Crnr ·
