Concerns over rising grocery prices have become a prominent issue among American voters, with polls indicating that roughly two-thirds of the public find groceries “unaffordable.” This sentiment has fueled discussions around potential policy responses, including proposals like New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plan for a $70 million city-owned supermarket chain. Additionally, some right-wing economic voices have urged President Donald Trump to divert attention from foreign policy issues, such as tensions with Iran, to focus instead on reducing food costs. However, an analysis of long-term economic data suggests that the current situation, while challenging for some, is not unprecedented.

Historical data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the share of disposable income spent on food has decreased significantly over the past century. In 1901, American families on average dedicated about 42% of their disposable income to food expenses. This figure dropped to 23% in 1945, 15% in 1965, and approximately 12% by 1985. Most recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that households spend about 9.7% of their budget on food, a figure that includes dining out and food delivery, which today account for a larger share of food spending than in previous decades.

When isolating grocery and supermarket purchases alone, the average American family allocates approximately 7.9% of its budget to groceries, and experts suggest that careful shoppers may spend even less. In addition to cost considerations, consumers benefit from the broad diversity and year-round availability of food products sourced through efficient global supply chains, offering access to goods from Central America, Asia, Scandinavia, India, and beyond. According to the USDA, U.S. consumers spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than people in any other country.

While food prices have risen in recent years, the rate of increase has been generally in line—or slower—than overall inflation. Retail food prices traditionally increase between 2% and 3% annually; in 2025, food prices grew by 3%, with supermarket prices rising 2.4%. So far in 2026, food prices have increased about 3% overall, with grocery prices up 2.7%. Over the past decade, U.S. wages have risen by more than 46%, outpacing a roughly 34% rise in food prices during that period.

Experts note that some recent spikes in prices are linked to external factors such as a widespread avian flu outbreak that increased egg costs and prolonged drought conditions affecting beef prices. These environmental factors are difficult for policymakers to control. While President Trump has publicly criticized oil company executives for high fuel prices, energy market analysts point out that global commodity prices, not corporate decisions, primarily determine fuel costs. Meanwhile, the grocery sector operates on slim profit margins—around 2% on average—and reported a net profit of just 1.32% in early 2026, suggesting that grocery retailers are not profiting excessively from current price levels.

Although inflation driven by pandemic-related economic policies continues to influence food prices, the overall trend points toward a historic level of affordability and variety. Despite public unease and political pressure, data indicates that Americans today spend a smaller portion of their income on food than at many points in history, benefiting from widespread availability and increasingly diverse options. This context challenges narratives of an unprecedented food crisis, highlighting instead an era of relative abundance compared with much of human history.