Wal-Mart groceries are too expensive Americans fed up
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2024
- Sticker Shock at the Checkout: Grocery Prices Strain American Wallets
For many Americans, a trip to the grocery store has become an exercise in frustration. The once-mundane task of filling the pantry now feels like a gamble, with familiar items sporting unfamiliar price tags. This surge in grocery prices, particularly pronounced at retail giants like Walmart, is squeezing household budgets and forcing tough choices, especially for low-income families already struggling to make ends meet.
The Numbers Don't Lie: A Spike in Food Costs
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), food prices have risen a staggering 25% since 2019. This outpaces overall inflation, which sits at 19.2% for the same period [USDA ERS]. The pain is particularly acute at the grocery store, with staples like meat, poultry, and cereals experiencing some of the highest jumps. Even Walmart, known for its low prices, hasn't been immune. A recent Senate hearing highlighted instances where shoppers have seen essentials like chicken breasts and bread climb in price week-over-week [CNBC].
Shrinking Portions, Rising Costs: A Double Whammy for Consumers
Adding insult to injury, some manufacturers have resorted to "shrinkflation," reducing product sizes while keeping prices the same. This deceptive practice stretches consumers' dollars even further. The impact is undeniable, especially for low-income families who rely heavily on processed and packaged goods.
The Perfect Storm: Factors Driving Up Grocery Prices
The current situation is the result of a confluence of factors. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, leading to labor shortages and transportation bottlenecks. The war in Ukraine, a major exporter of wheat and other grains, has further exacerbated the issue. Additionally, rising energy costs and extreme weather events have impacted agricultural production.
Beyond the Pandemic: A Pre-Existing Vulnerability for Low-Income Families
The high cost of groceries disproportionately affects low-income Americans. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 37 million people in the United States live below the poverty line. For these families, even a modest increase in grocery prices can mean sacrificing other necessities like medication or utilities.
Government Assistance Programs Strained
Many low-income families rely on government assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. However, these programs haven't kept pace with rising food costs. The maximum SNAP benefit allotment for a family of four in 2024 is only $835 per month, a figure that may not cover even the most basic needs in today's environment.
Looking for Relief: What Can Be Done?
There are no easy solutions to this complex issue. The government can play a role by:
Investing in domestic agriculture: Strengthening the resilience of the American food system by supporting local farmers and producers can help mitigate the impact of global disruptions.
Addressing supply chain bottlenecks: Streamlining transportation and logistics can reduce inefficiencies that drive up prices.
Increasing SNAP benefits: Adjusting SNAP allotments to reflect the current cost of food would ensure low-income families have access to nutritious food.
Consumer Strategies: Stretching the Dollar at the Grocery Store
While consumers wait for systemic changes, some strategies can help them navigate the high grocery prices:
Planning and budgeting: Creating a meal plan and grocery list helps avoid impulse purchases.
Comparison shopping: Checking prices across different stores and utilizing store brands or generic products can result in significant savings.
Buying in bulk: This can be cost-effective for some staples, especially for large families.
Reducing food waste: Planning meals to minimize leftovers and learning proper food storage techniques can save money in the long run.
The high cost of groceries is a pressing issue for many Americans. It's a complex problem demanding solutions from policymakers, the agricultural sector, and consumers themselves. Until then, the sticker shock at the checkout line is likely to remain a harsh reality for millions of families.
Where I live, rural w central Nebraska, A can of Campbell soup is $3.25 a can now.
Wow, you can make your own cheaper
Just got that Hellmans mayo for 2.99 at Grocery Outlet
Many of the grocery stores around here, not including walmart, are around that same price now
😲😲😲😲😳😳😳😳😳🥺🥺🥺
Holeee sh- !
All about corporate greed
Yes it is. The ceo's make millions. Shareholders see an increase. The workers make 10 bucks an hour and live in crappy places. Seems fair 👎
Its all over, folks. Prepare accordingly. ❤
If it ain't over now, it will be soon. Prices have to come down. Americans are running out of money
Prices are starting to stabilise here in the UK after the last two year's, don't lose faith. Xx
Try Canada prices. I am boiling a half cup macaroni, laying it on a plate, adding shredded cheese and nuking it. I'm 70, on pensions and struggling.
God bless you 🙏
That's rough. I'm so sorry.
Could we help with some low cost recipe ideas?
I did several grocery stores up in Canada, including metro. And sam's club. What a racket that metro is. I read that loblaws profit was Unreasonably high
@cjgoeslive in May there was a Loblaws boycott.
Loblaws owns 55 percent of the grocery market share in Canada.
I do not shop at those stores
U didn't answer the question
As a diabetic, the Pillsbury zero sugar is disgusting, and still spikes your sugar nearly as much as regular cake does, due to the maltitol. The Duncan Hines is more expensive, but contains way better diabetic friendly ingredients.
They know us diabetics have special needs when it comes to food, so they charge the most for it. I'm not mad about it. I'm at the point in my life where I don't care what it costs. Money cannot replace your health. And I'd rather be healthy and live for my kids and spend a little bit more for the things that I need. Thanks for letting me and the audience know about pillsbury. I believe they are on the list of approved poisons
Do low sugar fruits instead like cantaloupe and blueberries.
You look like you feel so much better, CJ 😊 Keep the videos coming and never mind the turkeys. Everyone seems extra spiteful this election year, so ignore them. Thanks for supporting the “little guy!”
Thanks so much for tuning in and also thank you for the kind words. It's people like you who make me feel like what i'm doing is helping in some small way. Keep being the awesome person you are!
I think most of those groceries are gonna go bad and then they are gonna have to put it on sale
I see that a lot. I shop 3 to 4 tiimes a week. Sometimes I will buy the stuff that's going to expire day of. I take it home and I cook it. And I save about fifty percent
We have quite a few cats. We buy the cheaper litter. We can usually get about 25 pounds for 6-7 dollars. We add baking soda to the cheaper cat litter, even table salt for deodorizer. We tend to mix the cheaper cat food with the mid range cat food. But if you get meat on sale you can cook up meat for your animals. For instance, I constantly get pork on sale, so my animals get pork once in a while.
A lot of the audience has described how they cook for their pets. I personally think cat litter is a complete. Rip off for the prices that we have to pay
I just discovered your channel. I like it. Ive been shopping at Aldi mostly. Only go to other stores if Aldi is out, which is happening more & more often. Theyve been buying up more stores down south while ignoring their older stores back north, in the midwest. 🙏❤☺
Thanks for tuning into the channel. I've done a lot of grocery store videos if you want to go back and take a look. Aldi is still the best bang for the buck in my opinion.
Hi CJ I like Aldi!
Well, that makes 2 of us. My friend
Brit here, Aldi is the only supermarket I shop at, when they have offers on veg I try and get a few bags then freeze them and try and make them last me. I just admit though our prices are relatively low compared to some of yours,
You are telling the truth about the economic situation facing people.
I think it's pretty Obvious right? More than seventy five percent of people in this country are suffering
Only some people. Most people aren't struggling like this.
mac n cheese went up 400%?????
I'm glad you understand math. Totally out of control lisnt it
You can legit make your own sauce for way cheaper and you can make more of it and save it
That's exactly what my dad does. And now he's teaching me to do the same. I never really did that much for myself. Because I was a fast food junkie. But now that I'm diabetic, everything is about health. Carbohydrates sugars fiber
I actually don't like the new completes containers, much rather have my favorite dinty moore beef stews in a can but they changed that packing to a microwave container and it's just not the same anymore. Same with creamed chipped beef too, now microwave ready instead of the boiled pouch container.
My wife's favorite 2 meals
I don’t buy food at Walmart sadly I go more to target for things but not food Walmarts just usually over crowded with people
Target used to be about fifty percent more than walmart price. But lately, target has been cutting their prices to compete with Walmart. And more and more people are shopping at target. I have shot there before. And there are some really good deals on cheese and lunch meats. Now I don't buy lunch meats anymore. But cheese is always in my diet.
I’ve never set foot in Whole Foods…. Nope …I’m poor folk
There's no need for me to shop at Whole Foods when I have a gazillion. Other choices that are half the price
Amazon is kinda reasonable
How so?
It used to be the cost of ensure was high because people on Medicare and Medicaid could get it from their pharmacies for no cost. The pharmacies would be reimbursed from the government a % of the cost. So, the pharmacies would raise the price of ensure to get back their cost.
I never knew that. And thank you for the comment and education. So why is it fifteen dollars in the store now? Can people with a voucher Get it for a discount? Or does everyone just pat the 15 bucks and that's it?
Market Basket has the most reasonable prices great quality
Their prices seemed pretty high to me. I'm in central PA
Just like anywhere else. Some things are really cheap, and some things are really overpriced
I totally enjoy your videos!
Thank you so much for the kind words and your viewership. All i'm trying to do is get the word out there. But the compliments are really nice too
@@cjgoeslive what is left for you to eat with all the crap they're adding to food?
Great video ❤😊
Thanks for the visit. Don't forget to check out some of my previous videos. And the new ones that will be coming out in the next month. Feel free to make a suggestion of a grocery store you think I should go to
Loved uncle bens rice. But we don't get it in South africa anymore 😢😢
We all did. It's different now. No character. Just generic carb laden rice.
A bushel of wheat for a days pay
Give the mules a sugarcube for a days pay. 🥴
vote smart hello.
Yes. Vote for tax breaks for the rich. Prices will miraculously go down.
Republican?
@@cjgoeslive I was buying 99 cent whoppers feeding them to my dog when trump was the boss I would buy 10 whoppers for 10 dollars and he would eat like a king for a week nowadays he is on cheep can food and he is pissed me and my girlfriend were spending 60 dollars a week on food when trump was the boss nowadays we are spending 240 plus a week for the same food. hell yes republican. trump kicks butt.
Relatives of the thousands of people who died from COVID might not agree with you.
@@karynmitchell2509 the relatives of the12 marines for that died for nothing sure as hell do. SEMPER FI.
I shop at costco.
None here
These prices are outrageous
I think they were more expensive in Orlando. In pittsburgh is the most expensive whole foods i've ever been to. I did a video on the Pittsburgh. Whole Foods in the fall of last year. If you wanna go back and take a look
Will do. Love your videos. I like tracking food prices.
Wow 99c tag is still alive 😲😲😲😲
Sometimes You can even find Stuff that is less than ninety nine cents
This guy is a little behind the times posting this in may 2024
Which guy?
Bidenflation
You're pricing a lot of artificial, packaged, and processed foods. Instead, we should all go back to home cooked meals from scratch and big salads with a healthy dressing that we like.
Trader Joe's for healthier, delicious and lower price dressings.
Yes, I am pricing a lot of artificial and packaged in process foods. Because that is what americans eat. Duh. I'm a diabetic and I obviously know how to eat healthfully. My audience, however, since you appear to be new does not for the most part. I'm sure the audience appreciates your comment, but they know full well. They should be eating better. And i'm here to show them that
Trader joes is expensive. As a diabetic pensioner, I can't afford to shop there but I hear u.
You keep blaming corporations for prices, Blame Joe Biden!!
Blame all govt then. They are all in bed with eachother.
I Because it is corporations price gouging dummy.👏👏.inflation is global..Biden doesn't control the world🙄🙄