The government shutdown and disruption to SNAP have exposed how common food uncertainty is in the United Sates, just as the holidays arrive.
Nearly 42 million people nationwide rely on SNAP, including 1.4 Michiganders. Michigan State University food economist David Ortega says holiday staples are already increasing in price.
“Wholesale prices for turkeys are forecasted to be about 40% higher than last year,” Ortega said. “But it’s important to keep in mind that the actual price that we pay for at retail is forecasted to be significantly lower than that.”
Ortega says many retailers use turkeys as a loss leader, pricing them at or even below cost to get shoppers in the door. He notes the good news is that retailers are also rolling out discounts and promotions to help families save.
“Beef prices have reached record highs. We’re looking at them being more than 18% higher than they were last year. Things like potatoes, yams, squash, we’ve only seen very moderate price increases there. Chocolate is sort of at record high prices. We’re looking at a global cacao shortage.”
According to analysis from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, in 2025, the price of all food is projected to increase by 3%.
Ortega recommends planning ahead, using store-brand items, and sharing the cost through potluck-style meals. He adds that food prices are still dominating kitchen-table conversations, but with a little creativity, it’s still possible to serve up a joyful holiday dinner.
