"Our weekly grocery shop is setting us back more than ever before, with the prices of everyday staples like meat, eggs, and oil having skyrocketed in recent years. According to the USDA, the cost of at-home food increased by over 23% between 2020 and 2024, so it's no wonder that many of us have started making changes to our shopping habits."
"Jump back a generation or two, and convenient pantry staples with long shelf lives were all the rage - think powdered versions of fresh foods, canned meats, and just about anything pickled. Many fresh foods were having their moment, too, from rendered animal fats to unconventional cuts of meat. However, for a long time, it seemed that many of these once-sought-after products had fallen off the radar."
Household food costs have risen sharply, with the USDA reporting at-home food expenses increased by over 23% between 2020 and 2024. Consumers are shifting habits away from premade foods and prime meat cuts toward budget-friendly alternatives. Affordable, long-shelf-life pantry staples and previously overlooked items are regaining popularity because of cost. Examples include powdered versions of fresh foods, canned meats, pickled items, rendered animal fats, and unconventional cuts of meat. Spam, originating as a World War II shelf-stable protein, is made from ground pork and ham with additives, vacuum-sealed and pre-cooked so it is ready to eat and offers affordability.
Read at Tasting Table
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]