Five Americans told The Guardian they’re buying less beef and fewer snacks, using more leftovers and frozen produce, and eating out less as grocery costs rise. Erin Hutchins said losing $200 a month in SNAP benefits left her limiting food.
Household budgets varied: Hutchins said she spends $300 a month on groceries for one person—about 75% of her monthly budget—while a 60-year-old construction project manager reported $1,800 a month for a two-person household. Bee Henderson said her three-adult household earns about $100,000 a year but shops mainly at Aldi and Walmart, saying it could not afford Kroger, Target or Whole Foods.
Frances Sabahive said her seven-person household spends $1,200 a month on groceries and has cut beef, organic vegetables and name-brand snacks; they also turned off the garage refrigerator to lower the electric bill. Hutchins, who cannot drive, said online orders add fees and sometimes result in spoiled perishables. The article lists bulk buying, frozen produce, meal planning and store pickup among budget strategies, and says SNAP and student food pantries can help, though benefit cuts have made support harder to rely on.
