INFLATION AND NEW FOOD HABITS

We partnered with The Harris Poll to understand how rising food prices are changing Americans' eating habits.

ARE RISING INFLATION FEARS FUELING NEW FOOD HABITS?

According to the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) last month, food-at-home prices soared a staggering 10.8% over the past year, representing the largest recorded 12-month increase since November 1980.


Such substantial food inflation surely impacts the Americans’ hierarchy of concerns, so much so that it now ranks as the no. 1 inflation worry keeping up Americans at night, according to the new data from The Harris Poll conducted on behalf of plant-based food company Alpha Foods. Overtaking gas prices, groceries now place as the leading inflation concern among Americans.


The new data shows that nine in 10 Americans (90%) are concerned about food prices, with meat (62%) placing as the top inflation fear in the food category. It’s also worth noting that more Americans identified eating or drinking at restaurants as an inflation worry even than a month ago (42% in May, compared to 38% in April).


As concerned as they are, Americans feel ready and willing to tackle their inflation fears, with eight in 10 (82%) planning to take matters into their own hands by:

  • 52% taking fewer trips to the grocery store
  • 45% shopping generic brands or store labels
  • 40% entertaining at home instead of going out to eat
  • 33% buying in bulk


OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE

The research also shows that besides the typical plan of cutting back on eating outside of home or spending on groceries, Americans are also ready to get quite creative.


According to the Alpha Foods data, 55% of Americans say that “rising meat prices make me more curious about trying plant-based food options” with over half (51%) sharing the same sentiment about plant-based diary options (70% for Gen Z and 60% for Millennials).


“What we’re seeing from the research is that inflation is having a profound effect on daily behaviors, especially grocery shopping,” says Kierstin De West, Chief Marketing Officer at Alpha Foods. “Not only are Americans reducing and altering their budgets, they're also changing what they're shopping for, as they look for more cost-effective ways to keep up with inflation.” continues De West. “Seeing how meat ranks as the top inflation concern in the food category, now is an excellent time for consumers to experiment and consider plant-based alternatives they may not have thought about before."

April 2022 May 2022
Gas prices (75%) Groceries (75%)
Groceries (73%) Gas prices (74%)
Eating or drinking at restaurants (38%) Eating or drinking at restaurants (42%)
Utilities (36%) Utilities (39%)
Clothing (27%) Clothing (30%)
Automotive (22%) Healthcare (26%)
Rent (21%) Rent (24%)
Online orders (20%) Automotive (23%)
Healthcare (20%) Insurance (21%)
Flights (15%) Online orders (21%)
Insurance (15%) Flights (17%)
Alcohol (15%) Hotels (14%)
Hotels (14%) Alcohol (14%)
Something else (4%) Something else (4%)
None of these (4%) None of these (6%)

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Alpha Foods from March 18-23, 2022, among 2,001 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. Another wave was also conducted online from May 6-8, among a nationally representative sample of 2,006 U.S. adults.

Curious to learn more? We partnered with The Harris Poll to understand how Americans feel about eating plant-based. Our study showed they want a diversified diet that includes meatless meals. In fact, over 61% of Americans feel the future of food is plant-based.


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