Nearly all British households have altered their grocery shopping habits due to rising food costs, with many reporting significant increases in their weekly bills. Readers across the UK have shared their experiences of cutting back on branded goods, switching to cheaper alternatives, and reducing overall spending as food inflation remains high despite a slight easing.
Nikki, a mother of two from Aberdeenshire, said her weekly shop has risen from £135 before 2020 to over £220. She added that her children's coeliac disease requires 'free from' products, which have become even more expensive. 'Food prices are ridiculous, but it's the fact they are still rising that is keeping me awake at night,' she said.
Chris, a stay-at-home father from Manchester, reported that his family's weekly shop has increased from £90 to £110-£120. He now buys mostly own-brand items but noted that some essentials like pet food remain costly. 'A bag of dry cat food can cost upwards of £6-£7,' he said.
Stacey, a teaching assistant from Norfolk, said she struggles to keep her weekly shop below £100, up about £40 since lockdown. She has switched from beef to pork mince for dishes like shepherd's pie and avoids branded products. 'I don't buy branded anything if I can help it,' she said.
According to the Food Foundation, a charity, one in seven UK households with children struggle to afford food. Of these, 64% have cut back on fruit and 50% on vegetables. While annual food price inflation eased from 5.1% to 4.5% in September, prices remain 30% higher than in 2022.
Many readers said they refuse to pay high prices for branded staples like baked beans, ketchup, and tinned soup. In Tesco, a four-pack of Heinz baked beans costs £3.90, compared with £1.60 for the store's own brand. Ready meals and treats like chocolate and wine are also being dropped from shopping lists.
