01/30/2026
Even as overall inflation has cooled, food costs remain a persistent pressure for many households. New data shows U.S. food prices are up nearly 19% since 2022, driven by a combination of supply constraints, higher input costs, and ongoing demand.
Some of the factors contributing to higher prices include:
➡️ Rising costs for staples such as beef, coffee, and produce
➡️ Higher labor, transportation, and utility expenses across the food supply chain
➡️ Increased costs for dining out compared with grocery purchases
The days of $5 lunches are over and as food becomes more expensive, I thought it would be helpful to share some numbers related to food costs in retirement.
Let's say you find a way to achieve an average of $5 per person per meal of a retired couple, you would still need around $273,000 to eat three meals a day for 25 years.
Source:
Food prices in December saw their biggest jump in more than three years, data shows, while the cost of eating out has also risen.