This post is part of a series chronicling news coverage of rising prices in the United States. See more here.
4WWL in New Orleans reports on consequences of higher grocery prices for familes
“Many families are stretching their grocery budgets even further as children are losing access to school breakfasts and lunches”
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From a June 6, 2026, video posted to the YouTube channel of 4WWL
KYRON NEVEAUX (REPORTER): It's no secret that the cost of everyday goods is taking a bigger bite out of family budgets, especially at the grocery store.
SHOPPER: The prices are rising, yes, but let's hope they go down a little, though I doubt they're going to go down. Once things go up, it stays up there.
NEVEAUX: While inflation has settled from its pandemic highs, food prices continue to climb. Right now, food prices rose by 2.3% in 2024, and 2.9% in 2025. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects grocery prices to increase again this year.
MARCUS COLEMAN (TULANE UNIVERSITY ECONOMICS PROFESSOR): I mean, farmers are hurting right now. Cost of production is up, the cost of inputs are up, and, you know, just simply speaking, those costs are simply passed off to final consumers.
NEVEAUX: And with school out for the summer, many families are stretching their grocery budgets even further as children are losing access to school breakfasts and lunches.
DIANE: We have a lot of kids, and it's difficult.
NEVEAUX: The USDA also says grocery prices are 2.9% higher this past April compared to April 2025. Marcus Coleman, an economics professor at Tulane, says that on top of food, families are already battling other growing expenses like gas.
COLEMAN: There have been a number of different programs to help folks figure out how to budget, how to prepare meals. But, thankfully, we have food banks, that are providing support.
NEVEAUX: For some families, food banks are filling that gap. Second Harvest says its summer feeding program is serving a record number of children this year; more than 6,000 kids a day across 14 parishes in southeast Louisiana.
JON TOUPS (SECOND HARVEST CEO): And this program very, very succinctly is designed to take the place of what they're going to lose out on when school gets out.
NEVEAUX: The rise in demand prompted Second Harvest to open a new kitchen in Houma this week, with already 100 sites established. Meanwhile, the Louisiana Department of Health also began issuing onetime payments of $120, called SUN Bucks, to eligible families through EBT cards to help cover summer meal expenses.