Food prices nationwide are still nearly 25% above pre-pandemic levels, prompting shopping expert Trae Bodge to outline ways families can trim summer grocery bills.
Bodge said the biggest savings come from joining store loyalty programs, paying with rewards or cash-back cards, buying in bulk and comparing unit prices—often choosing cheaper store brands.
She also urged shoppers to skip prepared foods and use mailed circulars and coupons to plan meals around weekly sale items.
Free summer meal programs for children are also available, offering another option for families facing elevated food costs.
With new tariffs and high energy costs, can household saving strategies truly offset surging grocery prices?
The government offers $120 in summer food aid, but will its own tariff policies cancel out these benefits for families?
As food prices climb, are programs like SUN Bucks a real solution or just a temporary patch for a larger economic problem?