Tony Roush spends about $160 a week to feed his family of four. But with grocery prices steadily rising, that weekly budget is getting tighter — and he's already making changes to stretch it further.
“Things have already been going up the whole time,” Roush said. “So I kind of accounted for that. Maybe buying a little bit less of something—instead of buying like a 24-pack of something, maybe buy a smaller amount. So maybe making those adjustments as we go on.”
And Roush isn’t alone. Families across the country are feeling the strain of rising grocery costs. Economists point to several contributing factors, including tariffs introduced during the Trump administration. These tariffs — taxes on imported goods — are often passed down to consumers in the form of higher prices. But inflation also makes a difference in the price you see on the shelf.
One of the most noticeable price hikes? Eggs.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of eggs jumped 5.9% last month. Despite wholesale prices dropping, Americans are still paying an average of $6.23 per dozen.
But the impact goes beyond eggs. A recent study from Yale University forecasts that food prices overall could rise by nearly 3% in the coming months.
Director of Bureau of Business and Economic Research at WVU John Chambers College Dr. John Deskins touched on what this could mean.
“They’ll drive up inflation,” Deskins said. “Depending on how high the tariffs ultimately are and how broad they ultimately are… because all of this is in flux for at least 90 more days. But depending on the level of aggressiveness with the tariffs, inflation will be higher, and we are waiting to see how much that will be.”
For Roush, the concern isn’t just about his own family — it’s about the broader impact on his community.
“Eventually there has to be a ceiling where people, you know, won’t be able to pay for it,” he said. “I mean, we’re fortunate and we have what we need, but obviously it affects people that are less fortunate more so than myself so far. But eventually it’ll affect everyone.”
And with prices for produce and other fresh foods expected to increase first, healthy eating is becoming more expensive — adding another layer of challenge for families trying to balance nutrition and cost.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI then edited by human journalists for accuracy and clarity. WVU News leverages AI to enhance efficiency and accuracy while maintaining a strong commitment to ethical reporting and human oversight.