High Grocery Prices Still Squeezing RI Families: What To Know

High grocery prices are still squeezing family budgets in Rhode Island.

Of the six grocery items NBC News has tracked in a dozen metro areas since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, only chicken eggs have gone down in price. The cost of eggs is down substantially, by 30.8%, as chicken supplies rebounded after bird flu pressure eased.

See also: Rhode Island's Economy Remains In Recession: URI Economist

But at the same time, beef prices remained high because of a tight U.S. cattle supply after years of drought, high feed costs, and herd reductions. Unlike the egg supply, the beef supply can't be rebuilt quickly.

Ground beef and orange juice costs have increased by double-digit percentages at 19.2% and 20.2%, respectively. Sandwich bread costs 4.7% more, and chicken breasts are up 1.6%in the 16 months since Trump’s inauguration.

See also: Rhode Island Jobs Drop By 500 In 1 Month

In the Boston metropolitan area, eggs were down 71 cents, chicken breasts were up 13 cents, orange juice was up $1.24, sandwich bread was up 15 cents, bacon was down 12 cents and ground beef was up 68 cents.

The latest monthly food costs report from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service shows that a household of two adults and two children buying groceries for a “thrifty” meal plan pays about $1,013.20 a month for food, about $20 more than in January 2025.

See also: How To Get $95 In $250M iPhone Settlement: What To Know In RI

The “moderate” plan works out to about $1,380, up from $1,328, an increase of $52 a month.

The analysis of Labor Department inflation data by FRED, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ economic data platform, shows grocery prices overall have increased 3.2% since January 2025.

See also: Major Clothing Retailer In Rhode Island Closing 150 U.S. Stores

Trump campaigned on bringing down grocery costs that were largely driven up by pandemic supply chain issues and Russia’s war on Ukraine. Food inflation has multiple causes, including tariffs that can ripple into grocery prices through fuel, fertilizer, cans, packaging and retail operating costs.

High grocery, gas and health insurance prices, along with other kitchen-table affordability issues, are expected to be a major theme in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

See also: Rhode Island State Rep's Bill Would Cap Grocery Self-Checkout Stations