In May 2022, consumer prices were about 8.6% higher than last year. Food and beverage prices increased by a larger amount, 9.7%, for the same time period. This was the highest monthly increase in food and beverage prices since March 1981.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) attempts to address malnutrition in the US by providing extra funding to low-income households with the purpose of encouraging healthier diets. However, as food prices increase, SNAP benefits lose their purchasing power. If the benefits don’t go as far, it can lead families to make concessions regarding their diets.
