American families are feeling the squeeze of increased grocery expenses. Based on new calculations from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee – Minority, a typical American family paid $310 more overall for groceries during President Donald Trump’s first year in office compared to 2024.
For the retail produce industry, there’s a surprising silver lining. According to the report, even as overall food prices surged, fresh vegetables and certain fruit categories are bucking the trend, offering consumers a rare reprieve from inflation.
The JEC report highlights that the highest price surges were led by ground coffee, which rose by over $76 annually, followed closely by ground beef with an increase of nearly $71. Other staples hit hard by inflation include eggs, adding more than $51 to yearly budgets, and candy, which saw a jump of over $47.
While the JEC findings reveal that 20 of the most common grocery items rose in price over the last year, fresh produce has remained remarkably stable.
Within the produce aisle, certain staples did see slight price increases in spending, such as oranges (up 8¢ annually), lettuce (up $3.04) and bananas (up $6.09). Most notably, tomatoes (down $10.28), potatoes (down $5.21) and strawberries (down 12¢), experienced an actual price reduction.
This data underscores that while inflation has hit proteins and pantry staples with double-digit increases, the produce aisle continues to offer consumers the most significant opportunities for budgetary relief.
A “Pound-for-Pound” Value
New consumer data from The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2026 highlights a growing awareness of this value. Despite the fact that 82% of shoppers believe they are paying more for fresh fruits and vegetables than they were a year ago, a sentiment particularly strong among Gen X and baby boomers, the reality on the price tag tells a different story.
“Produce has always been and remains the most cost-effective way to fuel your body, any which way you slice it,” says Jonna Parker, Circana’s vice president, Fresh Foods Group. The report notes that the produce industry’s inflation rate has risen less than 20% on the average price per pound, a figure that is “double-digit lower than any other department’s inflation rate.”
Even with the perception of higher costs, Americans aren’t giving up their greens. Fresh Trends found that 63% of respondents have maintained or even slightly increased their fresh produce consumption over the past 12 months. Rather than cutting produce out of the budget, consumers are becoming more strategic in how they shop.
