The staples American families depend on most—eggs, beef, soft drinks, and sweets—saw the sharpest price increases in 2025. Affordability is the issue that all Democratic candidates must emphasize.
This is the classic kitchen-table issue. The food price surge is forcing families to rethink how they shop and what they cook, according to new data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
In 2025 alone:
- Egg prices rose 24.8%.
- Beef and veal climbed 11.6%.
- Sugar and sweets increased 4.9%.
- Sodas and juices rose 3.7%
These are the kinds of increases that hit working families square in the wallet. When your most basic protein—eggs—jumps nearly 25%, that’s not a luxury problem. That’s a dinner-table problem.
Eggs are unique because they’re a foundational ingredient for nearly every meal of the day. Families can substitute out of steak. They can’t substitute out of breakfast.
Moronic responses from Trump
Trump has never shopped in a grocery store, and his proposals to address high food prices are asinine.
- During his murderous undeclared war against Argentine boat traffic, Trump suggested importing more beef from Argentina. [Let that sink in…] American cattle ranchers were furious because it would put them out of business.
- After deporting and frightening away at least 1.6 million people, he proposed allowing foreign labor into the US to train Americans.
- He imposed tariffs, which are taxes, on goods such as groceries, including beef, coffee, and fruit. Now — waaay too late — he mumbled something about reducing food tariffs.
Economic and Affordability Focus
The winning governors of New Jersey, Virginia, and the new mayor of New York City all campaigned heavily before the November 4, 2025, elections on themes of affordability and the cost of living. All the victors pledge to make policy reforms to lower living, housing, and healthcare costs through:
- Tax reductions
- Universal childcare
- Rent freezes
- Free public transportation
Their campaigns focused on:
- Expanding opportunities for youth and workers
- Equity in education
- Workforce expansion
- Apprenticeship programs for young people
- Improving the overall business climate
Double-digit increase in beef prices
Dinner became more expensive in 2025. According to the USDA, beef and veal rose 11.6% for the year, the second-largest increase among all major grocery categories
BLS sub-indexes for beef cuts—including roasts, steaks, and ground beef—showed double-digit increases in most regions during 2025.
Prices climb for soda, coffee, juice, and sweets.
Not all increases made the headlines, but families felt them. Beverages and sweets are the items people purchase weekly for their kids’ lunches or family routines. Small percentage increases accumulate fast for households.
USDA reports non-alcoholic beverages rose 3.7%, driven by global coffee shortages, higher transportation costs for imported juice concentrates, and price increases in aluminum packaging used for canned drinks.
Meanwhile, sugar and sweets rose 4.9%, with the International Sugar Organization reporting that global inventories are at historically low levels.
The burden on working families
Working- and middle-class families felt the sting of every uptick. Even when supply chains normalize, the new price floor often sticks.
A family of four that spent $180 per week in 2024 now spends $200–$215 per week on the same grocery basket, according to figures from the Food Industry Association.
Food inflation isn’t about luxuries—this is about eggs, bread, beverages, and hamburger meat. Local food banks in Phoenix, Tucson, and rural counties have faced rising demand throughout 2025, citing grocery inflation as a top driver.
A majority of Americans say they are spending more on groceries and utilities than they did a year ago, and they blame Trump for the rising prices, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.
The poll also found that 65 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of tariffs and that 62 percent disapprove of his handling of the economy, both figures little changed from April.
It’s time for every Democratic candidate and elected official to point out that Trump caused the inflation at the grocery store, and he is too incompetent to solve a problem he caused.
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