Walk into a supermarket lately. Walk up to the register. Watch your total climb. It’s a familiar ritual now. The sticker shock is real.
Food prices aren’t just creeping up. They’re jumping. And shoppers are pushing back.
According to USDA data, grocery store food prices hit 2.7% higher in May 2026 compared to the same month the prior year. That’s not inflation. That’s a sustained hike. The conversation at family dinners isn’t about the weather anymore. It’s about the cost of eggs. Of coffee. Of everything.
I stumbled onto a Reddit thread discussing this exact phenomenon. Users were listing the items they’ve stopped buying in 2026 because the price has become “genuinely insulting.” The comments? Fascinating. While concert tickets also drew ire, the grocery aisles are where the pain is deepest.
Here are the top five staples people are ditching right now.
1. The Chip Crisis
Chips took the crown here. They appeared repeatedly in the thread. Some users wait for sales. Some switched to store brands. Many cut them out entirely.
“Why they are $8 is unknowable to me.” — One Reddit user.
Another put it bluntly: “I’m not paying $6.85 for a bag that’s 41% chips, 39% air, and 10% disrespect.”
The numbers back them up. Data from FRED (Federal Reserve Bank of St.Louis) shows the average price of chips sits at roughly $6.63 per bag today. In 2022, that same bag was $5.15. Prices have hovered between $6 and $7 since.
If you crave the crunch, homemade potato chips might be worth the effort. It’s cheaper. And probably healthier. But the store-bought version? It feels like a tax on taste now.
2. Beef Is Gone From Many Lists
Ground beef. Steaks. Jerky. All gone. Or at least, on the back burner.
Some are pivoting to local butchers. Others are swapping to turkey or pork shoulder. The price of brisket? One shopper found the cheapest cut at Costco for $110. That’s a small fortune for meat that requires hours of smoking.
“I remember buying a nice slab ribeye for $10.” — A nostalgic commenter. “Now I can’t find a steak under $20 unless it’s paper thin.”
FRED reports the average cost of ground beef has skyrocketed to $6.83 per pound. Compare that to February 2020, when it was $3.86. An exponential rise.
The alternative? Ground turkey. Or canned beans. It’s a different meal. But when the math doesn’t work, you adapt.
3. Soda Prices Have Doubled
You want a cold drink? You’ll pay.
Soda, particularly the 12-pack cans, is the target here. “$11 for a 12 pack is insane,” one user noted. Others survive on 1L store-brand bottles for a dollar, or 2-liter sizes for $1–$2 on sale.
The trend mirrors the others. Average soda costs have doubled in recent years. Since March 2023, a 12-pack costs about $0.61 per ounce. In February 2020, it was $0.36.
Twelve packs used to be a weekend staple. Now they’re a luxury item. Shoppers are sticking to sales. Or skipping carbonation entirely.
4. Dark Chocolate Is No Longer Cheap
A square of dark chocolate is heaven. But heaven is expensive these days.
Tariffs are blamed. So is climate change.
“I used to keep good-quality dark chocolate around. Now a little bar costs like $7. Not worth the short pleasure anymore.”
Selina Wamucii’s data backs this up. The average cost of chocolate is now $6.44 per kilogram. Or $2.92 per pound. That’s a 62% jump year-over-year.
It’s not just general inflation. Cocoa prices have more than doubled since 2024. Harsh weather in West Africa—the source of 70% of the world’s supply—has devastated crops. Lack of rainfall. Crop diseases. The result is a empty shelf or a premium price tag.
Pro tip: If you must indulge, buy after Halloween or Valentine’s Day. Prices drop.
5. Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Berries are hitting hardest. “When did blueberries become nearly $9 for a tiny container?” someone asked.
Others are growing their own. Making jam. Making bread. A few have switched to canned fruit strictly for budget reasons.
The USDA notes fresh vegetables are up 11.8% year-over-year. Fresh fruit prices climbed by 2.6%.
“Sometimes prices at local farmers markets are better than grocery stores. Plus, the produce tastes better.”
If you have a farmers market nearby, go there. You support your local community. The food tastes fresher. And sometimes, it costs less.
Why Are These Prices So High?
It’s not one thing. It’s a cascade.
- Supply chain issues linger.
- Weather events destroy crops, particularly cocoa.
- Tariffs raise the cost of imports.
- Inflation has become entrenched in consumer expectations.
Shoppers aren’t just complaining. They’re changing habits. They’re buying less air-filled snacks. They’re skipping steak night. They’re choosing canned beans over fresh beef.
What are you no longer buying? The comments section is open. Let us know your strategy.
