By Alyssa Thomas, Contributing Writer
Nearly two decades ago, a $100 bill could feed a family of 4 in San Diego for nearly a week. Now that same bill barely fills a plastic bag today. As grocery prices climb faster than wages, reports show that low-income Black Americans are feeling the impact the hardest.
“We know that families are now spending a growing share of their income on food, and this is particularly the case for lower-income families,” says Dr. Sally Sadoff, Professor of Economics and Strategy at the University of California, San Diego.
Nearly two decades ago, a family could shop at their local grocery store and see prices that fit within their budget. In 2005, the average cost of a loaf of bread was $1.58, a dozen eggs was $1.22, and a pack of chicken hovered around $1.06 a pound. At a local Albertsons, a gallon of milk costs $4.19, while a package of 10 chicken thighs is priced at $2.69 per pound, totaling $12.11 per package.
Economists point to disruptions in our supply chains, coupled with a labor force where the average employee is grappling with stagnating wages, causing the cost of essential goods to exceed household budgets. Today’s inflation levels are another primary cause behind the sticker shock we experience. In July, inflation rose to its highest level since February, impacting everything from groceries and clothes to appliances.
“Generally speaking, we’re seeing costs go up; those costs are disproportionately impacting folks who live in food deserts,” said Dr. Derrick Robinson, Environmental Issues Advisor. “That’s something many Black residents in San Diego are experiencing.”
According to a study done by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, 30% of San Diego’s Black population spends nearly a third of their monthly income on housing, preventing them from having the resources to meet their basic needs. For children, especially, the increase in food costs doesn’t just impact the dinner table; it has the potential to affect the direction of their future.
“People are seeing prices rise on basic things like dairy, eggs, and meat– the foods they rely on every day. So yes, families are paying more,” said Dr. Robinson. While the uncertainty about the country’s economic landscape has the majority grappling with what’s to come, Black children are facing some of the harshest outcomes.
Per the USDA, Black children are twice as likely to face hunger, while 27% of Black children live in a food-insecure household, making that 1 in 4 Black children without access to reliable food. Access to quality food has a direct impact on how much Black children are able to succeed in school and how beneficial they will be in the labor force.
“There is a direct tie between what families are eating and how children are doing in school, and this happens with adolescents through college. According to USDA findings, children facing food insecurity don’t perform as well during the SATs, and that plays a major role in college admissions.” An effective journey through primary school is paramount for the long-term academic and socio-economic success of Black children.
As grocery store shoppers struggle to keep up with rising costs, grocers face their own unique challenges. Many have been tasked with finding new and inventive ways to keep costs manageable for consumers while absorbing higher wholesale prices. Discount chains like Food 4 Less and Aldi are local grocery stores that have shown an effort to help shoppers stay on budget. In an effort to ease the stress over rising costs, Food 4 Less has continued running weekly specials, similar to last week’s promotion granting seniors an extra 5% off their total bill.
As prices continue to increase, data suggest that low-income families will bear the brunt of an uncertain economic climate. In the next installment of this series, we will be taking an in-depth look at how local communities are finding new ways to reinvent their shopping habits in order to adapt, changing how it looks to effectively put food on the table.
