Nearly three years after inflation peaked, UK households are still reeling from the cumulative effect of soaring food prices. Readers have shared their shock at how much more they are paying for groceries, with one mother of two from Aberdeenshire saying her weekly shop has risen from £135 before 2020 to over £220 now. "Food prices are ridiculous, but it’s the fact they are still rising that is keeping me awake at night," said Nikki, whose children require gluten-free products due to coeliac disease.
The Office for National Statistics reported that overall inflation remained at 3.8% last month, while annual food price inflation eased slightly from 5.1% to 4.5%. However, the Food Foundation charity noted that prices are still 30% higher than in 2022. "This is continuing to have a huge impact on the lives of people up and down the country," said policy manager Shona Goudie. One in seven UK households with children now struggle to afford food, with many cutting back on fruit and vegetables.
Readers described switching to own-brand products, dropping luxuries and changing recipes to cope. Chris, a stay-at-home father of five in Manchester, said his weekly shop has gone from £90 to £110-£120, yet still does not cover all needs. "I now buy mostly own-brand, but some items like pet food you can't scrimp on," he said. Stacey, a teaching assistant from Norfolk, has swapped minced beef for pork mince in dishes like shepherd's pie. "I don't buy branded anything if I can help it," she said.
Branded goods like Heinz baked beans were singled out as particularly expensive, with a four-pack costing £3.90 compared to £1.60 for Tesco's own brand. Some readers said they refuse to pay "silly prices" on principle. Others have given up ready meals and treats like chocolate and wine. The trend reflects a broader squeeze on household budgets as food inflation remains stubbornly high despite a slight easing.
The price shock has led many to share their frustrations on social media. One viral post by a woman named Karen showed her Aldi shop costing £98, compared to £70 six months ago. TikTok is also filled with videos of shoppers lamenting the cost of even a small basket of groceries. While the cost of living crisis has slipped from headlines, for many Britons, the pain at the checkout is far from over.
