10 Foods People Are Ditching To Lower Grocery Costs

Grocery hauls are looking a bit emptier these days. With rising prices, many shoppers are opting for essentials and cutting back on some once-favorite items. Let’s explore the foods that are slowly disappearing from baskets as people focus on reducing costs.

Premium Coffee Beans

Mornings just aren’t the same without that rich aroma of fresh-ground beans. But when a single bag starts to cost more than a drive-thru breakfast, priorities shift. People are reaching for cheaper blends or skipping fancy brews altogether. Gourmet coffee has become a weekend treat, not a weekday staple.

Organic Produce Picks

Organic fruits and vegetables once felt like a smart investment in health. Nowadays, shoppers are weighing that benefit against a much steeper price tag. Many are scaling back to choose conventional options that offer more quantity for the same cost.

Name-Brand Cereals

Bright boxes with cartoons and promises of whole grains haven’t lost their charm, but they’ve lost their place in many kitchens. A study highlighted by Progressive Grocer in early 2024 indicated that 33% of shoppers are buying more store brands to save money.

Artisan Breads

The charm of a freshly baked artisan loaf is hard to resist until the price tag starts to resemble that of a full meal. As costs rise, more shoppers are opting for basic sandwich loaves or even trying their hand at baking to save a few bucks.

Bottled Smoothie Drinks

They looked healthy and felt like a good idea. But the total at checkout reminded us they’re not cheap. People now reach for fresh fruit or homemade blends. One bottle can cost as much as a lunch, and that’s a deal breaker for more and more folks.

Fresh Seafood Cuts

Fresh cuts such as salmon and shrimp have become too pricey for everyday meals to send more buyers toward less expensive proteins. Many have turned to frozen or canned options, which offer longer shelf life and a friendlier price tag.

Specialty Cheeses

Brie, Gouda, and Bleu now feel like party guests rather than regulars in the fridge. They’re still delicious, but shoppers are saving them for cheese boards instead of Tuesday lunches. Cheddar gets the job done. And the fancy stuff? It waits until payday.

Pre-Packaged Salads

Convenience used to win. Lately, however, those plastic bowls and bags have sat on shelves longer. Price tags keep climbing, and wilted lettuce doesn’t help. More people are cooking at home. It takes extra time, sure. But at least you’re not paying four bucks for five sad leaves and two cherry tomatoes.

Granola And Snack Bars

These once-handy snacks are falling out of favor. Between price hikes and questionable ingredients, shoppers are thinking twice. More households are preparing their own snacks in bulk, leaning on whole foods that offer better value and less waste. Simplicity and savings are leading the shift.

Gourmet Ice Cream

That pint used to be a guilty pleasure. Now, it just feels guilty. About seven dollars for a fancy flavor can make you question your life choices at the freezer door. Store brands are filling the gap, and let’s be honest, some of them are surprisingly tasty.