Americans have not spent this much of their incomes on food since the Gulf War: feds

Published

1 year ago

February 26, 2024

admin

Soaring grocery bills and restaurant tabs are eating up more of Americans’ paychecks than they have in three decades, according to the federal government.

In 2022, US consumers spent 11.3% of their disposable income on food as raging inflation jacked up prices on everything from bacon, eggs and milk at local supermarkets to burgers and burritos at fast-food joints, according to data from the Agriculture Department.

That’s the most since 1991, when President George H. W. Bush was ramping up the first Gulf War, Nirvana’s “Nevermind” was topping the charts — and food purchases accounted for 11.4% of shoppers’ disposable income, the USDA said.

The problem is showing no signs of letting up as restaurants, retailers and manufacturers alike continue to grapple with soaring labor costs and the price of key commodities including beef and cocoa continues to ratchet higher.

According to the USDA, food-at-home prices increased another 5% last year compared to 2022 — or double the historical average rate at which retail food price inflation rose per year between 2003 and 2022.

Recently, those increases have slowed — up 1.2% in January compared with a year ago.

Still, that’s leaving shoppers with punishing tabs for everything from meat to produce to spaghetti sauce.

Meanwhile, “away from home” food prices at restaurants surged a staggering 5.1% over the same time period, according to the Consumer Price Index.

In 2022 and 2023 it was boom times for restaurants, which gives them latitude to raise prices,” Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi told The Post.

Fast-food prices shot up even more — 5.8%, according to the government data — a trend that’s set to continue after 22 states raised their minimum wage last month.

Earlier this month, Chipotle said it will be forced to further raise prices as California after a $20-an-hour minimum wage law takes effect there in April.

The menu hikes are already taking a toll, with McDonald’s admitting this month that customers making less than $45,000 per year are eating at home more frequently as grocery prices come down.

I think what youre going to see as you head into 2024 is probably more attention to what I would describe as affordability, McDonalds chief executive Chris Kempczinski said on an earnings call with analysts earlier this month.

But Zandi is skeptical whether restaurants will lower their prices.

Businesses really dont want to cut prices, Zandi said. They will do it if demand is falling and they have no options, but the more palatable strategy is to hold the line until affordability is reestablished.

Meanwhile, corporate profit margins economy-wide have been rising, Zandi said.

Food prices were thrust into the spotlight on Super Bowl Sunday when President Joe Biden posted a video to social media in which he called out snack companies for “shrinkflation.”

“Some companies are trying to pull a fast one by shrinking the products little by little and hoping you won’t notice,” Biden said in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, ahead of Super Bowl LVIII.

“Give me a break. The American public is tired of being played for suckers,” he said.

Biden, who offered no solutions or policies to address the practice, did not name any specific companies but several brands were shown in the video, including Gatorade, Doritos, Breyers and Tostitos.

We appreciate that the President has to deflect attention away from inflation that has lingered during his administration, said David Chavern, president and CEO of the Consumer Brands Association, in a statement.

Chavern added that the group would like to work with Biden on real solutions that benefit consumers.

Last year, the prices for fats and oils rose by 9% while the cost of sugar and sweets jumped 8.7%. The rate of price increases for cereals and bakery products stood at 8.4% last year.

The only food item that saw its price decline last year was pork, which was 1.2% cheaper compared to 2022, according to USDA data.

Meat prices grew but at a slower pace than their 20-year historical averages. Beef and veal prices rose 3.6% while eggs were 1.4% more expensive last year compared to 2022, the USDA said.

The cost of fresh fruits rose 0.7% while fish and seafood prices ticked up 0.3%.

With Post Wires

UK

Eight arrests in connection with two separate terrorism investigations

Published

20 mins ago

May 4, 2025

admin

Eight arrests in connection with two separate terrorism investigations

Eight men have been arrested by the Metropolitan Police in two unconnected terrorism investigations.

In one operation on Saturday, counter-terror officers arrested five men, four of whom are Iranian nationals. All are in police custody.

The Met said the arrests related to a “suspected plot to target a specific premises”.

In an update shortly after midnight, the force said: “Officers have been in contact with the affected site to make them aware and provide relevant advice and support, but for operational reasons, we are not able to provide further information at this time.”

It added officers were carrying out searches at a number of addresses in the Greater Manchester, London and Swindon areas in connection with the investigation.

It said those detained were:

• A 29-year-old man arrested in the Swindon area
• A 46-year-old man arrested in west London
• A 29-year-old man arrested in the Stockport area
• A 40-year-old man arrested in the Rochdale area
• A man whose age was not confirmed arrested in the Manchester area.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “This is a fast-moving investigation and we are working closely with those at the affected site to keep them updated.

“The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter.

“We understand the public may be concerned and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us.

“We are working closely with local officers in the areas where we have made arrests today and I’d like to thank police colleagues around the country for their ongoing support.”

Terror arrests in separate investigation

Police also arrested three further Iranian nationals in London on Saturday as part of another, unrelated counter terror investigation.

The suspects were detained under section 27 of the National Security Act 2023, which allows police to arrest those suspected of being “involved in foreign power threat activity”.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said in a statement: “I want to thank the police and our security services for the action they have taken to keep our country safe.

“Protecting national security is the first duty of government and our police and security services have our strong support in their vital work.”

She added: “These are serious events that demonstrate the ongoing requirement to adapt our response to national security threats.”

Politics

Pro-crypto Democrats pull support for stablecoin bill in last minute

Published

1 hour ago

May 4, 2025

admin

Pro-crypto Democrats pull support for stablecoin bill in last minute

A group of US Senate Democrats known for supporting the crypto industry have said they would oppose a Republican-led stablecoin bill if it moves forward in its current form.

The move threatens to stall legislation that could establish the first US regulatory framework for stablecoins, according to a May 3 report from Politico.

Per the report, nine Senate Democrats said in a joint statement that the bill “still has numerous issues that must be addressed.” They warned they would not support a procedural vote to advance the legislation unless changes are made.

Among the signatories were Senators Ruben Gallego, Mark Warner, Lisa Blunt Rochester and Andy Kim — all of whom had previously backed the bill when it passed through the Senate Banking Committee in March.

The bill, introduced by Senator Bill Hagerty, is formally known as the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act.

Senate prepares to vote on stablecoin bill

The Senate is expected to begin floor consideration of the bill in the coming days, with the first vote potentially taking place next week.

The bill has been championed by the crypto industry as a landmark step toward regulatory clarity. However, the Democrats’ about-face reflects growing unease within the party.

Although revisions were made to the bill after its committee approval to address Democratic concerns, the lawmakers said the changes fell short. They called for stronger safeguards related to Anti-Money Laundering, national security, foreign issuers, and accountability measures for noncompliant actors.

The statement was also signed by Senators Raphael Warnock, Catherine Cortez Masto, Ben Ray Luján, John Hickenlooper and Adam Schiff.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Angela Alsobrooks were absent from the list, who co-sponsored the bill alongside Hagerty.

Despite their objections, the Democratic senators emphasized their commitment to shaping responsible crypto regulation. They reportedly said they “are eager to continue working with our colleagues to address these issues.”

Crypto needs a stablecoin bill

On April 27, Caitlin Long, founder and CEO of Custodia Bank, criticized the US Federal Reserve for quietly maintaining a key anti-crypto policy that favors big-bank-issued stablecoins, despite relaxing crypto partnership rules for banks.

Long explained that while the Fed recently rescinded four prior crypto guidelines, a Jan. 27, 2023, statement was left intact in coordination with the Biden administration.

The guidance, according to Long, blocks banks from engaging directly with crypto assets and prohibits them from issuing stablecoins on permissionless blockchains.

However, Long noted that once a federal stablecoin bill becomes law, it could override the Fed’s stance. “Congress should hurry up,” she urged.

Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again

UK

Pictured: Boy killed in Gateshead industrial estate fire – 14 children arrested on suspicion of manslaughter

Published

2 hours ago

May 4, 2025

admin

Pictured: Boy killed in Gateshead industrial estate fire - 14 children arrested on suspicion of manslaughter

Tributes have been paid to 14-year-old Layton Carr who died in a fire at an industrial estate.

Eleven boys and three girls, aged between 11 and 14 years, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the incident in Gateshead on Friday. They remain in police custody.

Firefighters raced to Fairfield industrial park in the Bill Quay area shortly after 8pm, putting out the blaze a short time later.

Police then issued an appeal for a missing boy, Layton Carr, who was believed to be in the area at the time.

In a statement, the force said that “sadly, following searches, a body believed to be that of 14-year-old Layton Carr was located deceased inside the building”.

Layton’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, police added.

A fundraising page on GoFundMe has been set up to help Layton’s mother pay for funeral costs.

Organiser Stephanie Simpson said: “The last thing Georgia needs to stress trying to pay for a funeral for her Boy Any donations will help thank you.”

One tribute in a Facebook post read: “Can’t believe I’m writing this my nephew RIP Layton 💔 forever 14 you’ll be a massive miss, thinking of my sister and 2 beautiful nieces right now.”

Another added: “My boy ❤️ my baby cousin, my Layton. Nothing will ever come close to the pain I feel right now. Forever 14. I’ll miss you sausage.”

A third said: “Rest in peace big lad such a beautiful soul taken far to soon my thoughts are with you Gee stay strong girl hear for u always.”

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins, of Northumbria Police, also said: “This is an extremely tragic incident where a boy has sadly lost his life.”

She added that the force’s “thoughts are with Layton’s family as they begin to attempt to process the loss of their loved one”.

They are working to establish “the full circumstances surrounding the incident” and officers will be in the area to “offer reassurance to the public”, she added.

A cordon remains in place at the site while police carry out enquiries.