Much is happening with groceries and food prices…
Conflicting forecasts of what inflation might bring this year and BNPL appearing on credit reports (a heads up for those using it to pay for food). SNAP sees more states receiving waivers and new retailer stocking standards. Walmart is in the news as they serve a record-breaking 190 million Americans each month. In AI news, a study finds higher spending w/Walmart’s shopping assistant and Target tests ads in their ChatGPT (one vendor is a food company). Almost 2 months since the DGAs release: read reactions from experts and dietitians. Learn more about Dr. Helen Zoe Veit’s new book ‘Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History’. All this and so much more!
A CURATED LIST OF MUST-READ CONTENT
Groceries/food prices…
In overall food prices we saw the highest rise in December since 2022 (https://www.foodpolitics.com/2026/02/whats-happening-with-prices-at-the-grocery-store/). USDA’s forecast for grocery prices in 2026: an increase of 2.5% (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/food-at-home-prices-increase-2026-usda/813359/) but Phil Lempert, Supermarket Guru predicts they will increase between 5% & 8% (https://www.wflx.com/2026/02/27/wholesale-inflation-rises-more-than-expected-expert-warns-food-prices-could-climb-up-8/). Is Walmart the cheapest U.S. grocery store? Nope, a comparison of food prices in 2025 found that it was Costco. And the most expensive grocery? Whole Foods. (https://www.tastingtable.com/2111659/cheapest-grocery-store-us-costco/). A deep dive into how tariffs impacted food prices and the reality of higher food prices: once food prices go up they are NOT likely to go down (https://phillempert.substack.com/p/three-things-you-should-know-about). A new study finds that state regulations around banned ingredients or new labeling could increase food items (https://www.nationalreview.com/news/state-level-maha-regulations-will-lead-to-spike-in-grocery-prices-study-finds/). The high cost of fast food news…remember when Wendy’s sold hefty baked potatoes for $.99? Not anymore (https://www.tastingtable.com/2106295/wendys-baked-potato-underrated-overpriced/). And higher Subway prices are getting feedback from customers (https://www.tastingtable.com/2110506/sandwich-chain-costs-too-much-subway/).
SNAP…
Four more states receive SNAP waivers, now at 22 (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/usda-approves-4-more-state-snap-waivers/813886/). SNAP retailer stocking standards call for more healthy items to be stocked (https://www.thepacker.com/news/grocery-stores-face-new-usda-nutrition-requirements-accept-snap). How are candy and soda companies sizing up SNAP restrictions in 18 states? (https://www.fooddive.com/news/snap-restrictions-candy-soda-hershey-keurig-drpepper-earnings/813215/).
Walmart in the news…
Walmart hit a new record: serving over 190 million Americans monthly (https://storebrands.com/walmarts-grocery-penetration-rate-sets-new-record). By the end of this year, all Walmarts will have digital shelf labels (https://www.retaildive.com/news/walmart-expands-digital-shelf-labels-all-us-stores/813654/).
AI & groceries…
And if you saw this headline – Target to test ads in ChatGPT – and thought it didn’t mean much, think again, because Mars Wrigley, a snack company is one of the vendors involved (https://www.marketingdive.com/news/target-to-test-contextual-ads-in-chatgpt-including-through-roundel/811927/). Higher spending occurs w/Walmart’s AI shopping assistant (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/walmart-grocery-ecommerce-growth-fourth-quarter-fiscal-2026/812568/). Shoppers and educators need to understand AI-enabled algorithmic pricing (sometimes referred to as dynamic pricing) which allows companies to quickly change prices using electronic price tags in stores or online. The article notes that significant food price increases were not seen when dynamic pricing was introduced yet its use needs monitoring (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/promise-peril-artificial-intelligence-driven-pricing-retailers/812037/).
Roundup of grocery-related news…
- Heads up: BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) will start appearing on credit history reports and those that use it to buy groceries need to know this
- Delivery options continue to expand as Dollar General expands rural same-day delivery
- Target will stop selling cereal with certified synthetic dyes the end of May
- Meat sales up in 2025 even amid strong inflation…who is buying?
The DGAs: experts react, school lunch challenges…
CLICK HERE FOR RELATED NEWS
- The food industry view of the DGAs
- 3 T.H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health faculty members served on the DGA committee & share their views on the final DGAs
- How the new graphic might be interpreted, University of Arizona
- Colorado RDN reacts to the new pyramid, what consumers are asking about it
- The challenges schools face meeting the new DGAs
Health in the news…
CLICK HERE FOR RELATED NEWS
- General Mills removes synthetic dyes from school foods
- Food recalls increasing/a look at the state of FDA today
- Novo Nordisk to cut prices for injectable & pills January 2027
- ShopRite’s wellness kits for those on GLP-1s link groceries, pharmacies and dietitians
- State-by-state comparison: How much more expensive is it to eat healthy food Alternative data sources: US obesity rates higher than surveys
- Just how much of U.S. baby food may be ultra-processed?
On the history of children as picky eaters…
Listen/watch/read a book excerpt: Dr. Helen Zoe Veit, Associate Professor of History, Michigan State University, on her new book – Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History
continue reading
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