Much focus has been placed on how the government shutdown is affecting people who rely on food stamps, but there are also people who are not on food stamps who are finding it harder to purchase groceries because of the current higher costs of food.
The shutdown is affecting those who rely on SNAP. But those who don’t say they’re also struggling with high food costsNews4JAX went to three separate grocery chains - Publix , Aldi , and Winn-Dixie - to compare grocery prices as residents struggle with rising costs.
but there are also people who are not on food stamps who are finding it harder to purchase groceries because of the current higher costs of food. News4JAX visited three different grocery store chains in Jacksonville to see exactly how much basic items like meat and produce cost. Shoppers who spoke with us, like Natalie Hamlett, Masie Negahsh, and Rick Omesol, say they are spending more money on groceries these days. A Florida senior gets about $2 a day in SNAP benefits. If it expires, she says she won’t have food next month “A much bigger percentage of our income is going to groceries, and we got to have them because we have to eat,” said Hamlett.So exactly how much are shoppers paying? While inside grocery stores, News4JAX primarily focused on meats and produce at all three grocery store chains. Then, we looked at meat prices at all three store chains, specifically, beef, pork, and chicken. Each price at all three store chains has a range based on the cut of the meat and portion.At Winn-Dixie, the price per pound ranged between $5.99 and $19.99. Pork costs were between $2.99 and $6.99 per pound. The per-pound costs at Publix for beef ranged between $7.99 and $18.99, while pork was between $4.29 and 6.99 per pound.At Winn-Dixie, the costs range from $.99 to 5.99 per pound.Omesol, who said he grocery shops once a week for himself and his wife, said his bill typically comes out to about $150 to $200. Another shopper, Rachel Laureno, said her bi-weekly grocery bill comes out to the same, but adds that it’s “more than what it has been in the past.” According to the USDA, in 2025, a family consisting of two working adults and two children is spending between $1,000 and $1,600 per month at the grocery store. Five years ago, the average cost at the grocery store for a family that size ranged between $613 and $1,500 per month. The USDA’s spending range is based on certain factors like shopping habits, dietary choices, and location as food prices vary by region.Woman who found emaciated Great Dane in Jacksonville puts up $5K, urges community to come forwardProposed bill could transform downtown Jacksonville's entertainment sceneCity launches Duval Care Coalition in response to SNAP delaysHow $200K to replenish food pantries in St. Johns County will help local childrenChase Properties unveils redevelopment plans for DCPS propertyFamily shares safety warning after minibike crash lands man in hospital with serious injuriesWeekend warm up before we're back to sweater weather early next weekLocals say SNAP funding disruption hampered ability to pay bills, partial funding not enoughRichard's Swing Makeover Pt. 6: Staining & sealing the slatsJaguars fans buzzing over nail-biting overtime victory in Las VegasMust watch: News4JAX reporter Caleb Yauger learns how to line dance
Food Money Aldi Winn-Dixie Publix
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