Home / Food and Recipes / Good News for Shoppers: Prices Dropping on These 13 Grocery Items
Woman holding basket with products at supermarket

Good News for Shoppers: Prices Dropping on These 13 Grocery Items

/Updated /6 Comments/in /by Mary Hunt

You don’t need me to tell you about skyrocketing food costs. Over the past couple of year a trip to the grocery store to pick up eggs, milk, or butter has been breathtaking. The financial strain on consumers has become nearly unbearable. 

Woman holding basket with products at supermarket

But now the price of some food items is starting to recede. The index for food at home (grocery prices) dipped 0.2%, while the index for food away (eating out) from home rose 0.4%*.

Overall, grocery prices have gone down this year, while restaurant prices—which used to be relative compared to the cost of food— have and continue to go up significantly. Why? Because of labor costs and what has been going on with rising wages.

These Food Items Are Getting Cheaper

Here are some grocery items that got cheaper based on the seasonally adjusted percentage change from March to April 2023.*

  • Bacon and related products
  • Bread
  • Butter and margarine
  • Canned vegetables
  • Citrus fruit
  • Coffee
  • Dairy and related products
  • Eggs
  • Fish and seafood
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Meats
  • Prepared salads
  • Salt, seasonings, spices

 

*That’s according to the latest Consumer Price Index, which was released in April 2023.

How to Cut the Cost of Eating Out

Keep in mind that while the cost of eating out has become abhorrent, it’s going higher. Restaurants are not passing along lower food costs to their cu pass along any savings to their customers. Why? Because labor and other associated costs are soaring.

  1. Kids Eat Free. Plan ahead and then make sure you meet the criteria to get free meals for the kids. Many restaurants now offer free meals for the kids on low-volume days—typically Tues. or Wed—when the adults order from the dinner menu.
  2. Stick to a budget. Determine how much you’re willing to spend—including tax and gratuity. This will help you make more conscious choices and avoid overspending.
  3. Look for deals and discounts. Check websites, mobile apps, and social media platforms for restaurant deals, coupons, and special promotions. Many restaurants offer happy hour specials, early bird discounts, or weekday specials that can significantly reduce the cost of your meal.
  4. Share meals or order smaller portions. Restaurant portion sizes are often larger than necessary. Consider sharing a meal with a friend or family member, or choose smaller portion options (sides) if available.
  5. Skip the extras. Extras like appetizers, drinks, and desserts significantly increase your bill. Share a dessert, if you must.
  6. Drink water. Beverages are where the restaurant can really pad its profit. At $3 for a single soft drink, iced tea, or coffee (it’s getting ridiculous!), a typical restaurant is looking at about 90% profit. Ka-ching! Determine ahead of time to order water with your meal.
  7. Take advantage of lunch specials. Many restaurants offer lunch specials that are more affordable compared to their dinner menu. Opt for a lunch outing instead of dinner, as you can often find similar dishes at a lower price.
  8. Cook at home. The more meals you can eat at home, the faster you’ll be taking advantage of dropping grocery prices. Make eating out something special that you plan for special occasions and celebrations.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

More from Everyday Cheapskate

slow cooker hot weather meals salads plus pico de gallo recipes

3 Slow Cooker Summer Salads for Hot Weather Dinners

a woman holding a crate of cucumbers

Cucumbers Galore? Here’s What to Do With Every Single One

what to pack for kids lunchboxes young boy and girl eating a banana and a sandwich

Back-to-School Lunch Ideas for a Week (No Boring Sandwiches)

refreshing glasses of iced tea with fresh lemon slices and ice best way to make tea

The Best Way to Make Iced Tea? Depends What You’re After

creamy whipped frozen coffee drink on balcony with whipped cream

I Stopped Buying $7 Frappuccinos. Here’s What I Make Now

a lit sparkler with an american flag in the background 4th of july hacks tips and recipes

34 Fourth of July Recipes and DIY Hacks for a Stress-Free Holiday

Grilled Peaches with Balsamic and Blue Cheese

Summer Grilled Peaches with Balsamic and Blue Cheese

cheesy chicken and rice casserole in a baking dish

Cheesy Chicken & Rice Bake That Disappears at Family Dinners

delicious creamy no churn vanilla ice cream scoop and loaf pan

3-Ingredient No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream (No Machine Needed)



Please keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief,
and on-topic in keeping with EC Commenting Guidelines



Caught yourself reading all the way 'til the end? Why not share with a friend.

6 replies
  1. Pamela says:

    Another way to save is off the 55+ menu. My husband ordered a chicken fried steak at Perkins and it was the same size as the regular order. We saved $4 and it came with 2 sides, just like the regular order.

    Reply
  2. Cally Ross says:

    I sent my son to Walmart for a gallon of bleach, it was $5.75! that was a shock to me! thankfully, we use it a tiny bit at a time.

    Reply
  3. Cathy down on the farm... says:

    Mary, went shopping three days ago. I picked up 2- 18 packs of eggs with the cartons wrapped in plastic together and I thought it was a mistake at $3.58. This was at Walmart in Northern Indiana.

    Reply
  4. Laura Edgeworth says:

    Mary, I live in WV. The only thing I have seen that costs less in the grocery store was eggs. That is probably because many people said no way am I paying $5 for a dozen eggs and set up a chicken yard and starting their own flock. Nothing else has gone down. In fact, the local Wal-Mart is doing the same thing it has been doing for the past couple of years, raising prices weekly. Gas went up, so did the prices with the excuse the gas prices were to blame. Gas prices went down a bit but no cut in prices. Then the excuse was the pandemic, and the prices went up due to “supply chain problems”. The pandemic FINALLY got over, but the prices didn’t drop a dime. Don’t know what their excuse is now but the prices are still going up here.

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Understand that this data is for the entire U.S. from April 2023, so as of May 1. Nothing happens quickly. It will take time for you to see this at your grocery checkout but the data is trustworthy. Prices will not return to pre pandemic levels overnight. But we should be encouraged that at least for a few food items, the trend is downward.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help! I Get Clumps of Crystals in My Homemade Laundry Detergentwashing soda borax on white laundryhomemade wasp trap from empty plastic bottle hanging in a treeDIY Wasp Trap That Really Works and More Great Reader Tips