REPORT: Grocery Prices Have Surged Nearly 40 Percent Since 2019 As Inflation Persists

A recent analysis by The Wall Street Journal found that Americans are spending nearly 40 percent more to fill their pantry than in 2019. The analysis found that $136.89 is required in 2024 to get the same items that you were able to get for $100 in 2019, with some items, like eggs and sports drinks, climbing over 50 percent.

From 2019 to 2024, common grocery items have increased substantially, including cooking oil (54 percent), beef (51 percent), fruit snacks (77 percent), mayonnaise (50 percent), applesauce (51 percent), dish soap (46 percent), eggs (63 percent), sugar (38 percent), and many other items.

While the rate at which food costs have increased has lowered in recent months, the gradual price increases have accumulated over time. While food prices year-over-year only rose 1.0 percent in February, the highest rate of increase was seen in August 2022, when rates were as high as 13.5 percent.

While various food company executives have said that they have increased their prices to handle rising costs in production, the Biden administration has attempted to shift the blame on inflation from their inflationary policies to corporate greed. President Biden has repeatedly highlighted "shrinkflation," where companies shrink their products rather than increase the price, even doing a social media campaign on the matter before the Super Bowl. 

The Journal reported that consumers like Sharon Faelten, a 74-year-old retiree, have had to become creative by seeking out deals and couponing to get the best bang for their buck. Sharon's story is emblematic of what Americans across the country are dealing with as they grapple with increasing prices at the grocery store and in other segments of the economy. 

As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics report for March found that the CPI, a measurement of the cost of goods and services across the economy, rose 0.4 percent for the month. The core CPI, which eliminates food and energy prices from the calculation, also rose 0.4 percent this month, with the yearly rate at 3.8 percent. It's important to note that most of the inflation increase was caused by rising energy and housing prices. As reported by CNBC, energy increased by 1.1 percent while housing went up by 0.4 percent, resulting in a total increase of 5.7 percent year-over-year.

Food prices rose 0.1 percent in March, driven mainly by a 4.6 percent increase in egg prices, which resulted in a year-over-year increase of 2.2 percent. Medical expenses also rose 0.6 percent, while vehicle prices fell 1.1 percent. Consumers across America are attempting to adjust to rising prices, but some can't keep up and are forced to decide between keeping the lights on and having food in the pantry. 

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