We hear so much bad news day-in and day-out about the economy that it’s easy to get distracted by the big numbers and miss the many tiny ways that people are hurting. But a new study by Princeton, N.J.-based Opinion Research Corp illustrates how many consumers are making substantial changes in the way they eat and shop for groceries as a result of higher food prices.
According to the study, commissioned by Hormel Foods to gauge Americans’ experiences and views on hunger, around six of 10 of those surveyed said they have had to cut back on the quantity or quality of food they buy. People are opting for less expensive cuts of meat and stocking up more on inexpensive commodities like rice and potatoes, all because of increasing prices.
Sixty-seven percent thought that food prices have increased a lot since last year, and nearly half said they’re having more trouble paying their bills. When gas prices were peaking earlier this year, one in five respondents said they’d been forced to choose between buying food or gas.
More than half of the 800 respondents, chosen at random nationwide, said the now buy more store brands; purchase products only when they’re on sale; cut the number of meals they buy away from home; and buy in bulk when it’s less expensive.
Has the economy forced you to alter your buying and eating habits? Love to hear any suggestions for how to economize (we give free Tightwad T-shirts to those we publish). Write to tightwad at cro dot consumer dot org.
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