Americans Change Grocery Purchases as Food Prices Rise

Consumers are reducing the number of items placed in their carts and selecting lower-priced store brands to manage higher grocery bills. Some shoppers say they now compare unit prices more carefully and wait for sales before making purchases.

Households report clipping digital coupons and buying larger packages when the per-unit cost is lower. Others say they have increased the frequency of visits to discount grocery chains.

NPR interviews found similar adjustments in both urban and rural areas, with families describing smaller meal portions and fewer restaurant visits. The reporting did not include national price index figures or forecasts for future months.