dentalhealthdigest: Latest from Food Politics: What's happening with prices at the grocery store?

By Marion Nestle

February 17 2026

What’s happening with prices at the grocery store?

If you think food prices are increasing, you are right.

I’ve been sent an analysis from Trace One.

Trace One says “grocery prices rose 0.7% in December, the largest one-month increase since October 2022—underscoring how food costs remain a major pain point for households even as broader inflation cools.”

Some of its findings:

Grocery inflation has outpaced broader inflation since the pandemic began.
Beef products have seen the sharpest price increases.
Average household grocery spending is nearing $700 per month nationally.

Comment

I’m kind of shocked by what food is costing these days. In writing What to Eat Now, I could see that prices doubled since I wrote What to Eat in 2006. BPut now they’ve gone up even more. This is fine if income is going up too.

But what if it’s not?

And what if SNAP benefits are cut?

These are tough times.

The post What’s happening with prices at the grocery store? appeared first on Food Politics by Marion Nestle

Happy Thanksgiving: What is it costing you?

Now Available: What to Eat Now

My new book, What to Eat Now, is officially out!

It's both a field guide to food shopping in America and a reflection on how to eat well—and deliciously.

For more information and to order, click here.

You can explore the full archive of this (almost) daily blog at foodpolitics.com, where you'll also find information about my books, articles, media interviews, upcoming lectures, favorite resources, and FAQs.