As food prices rise, a growing number of Americans are struggling to afford groceries.
In the last month alone, 60% of people say they have worried about being able to pay for necessary groceries, according to new data from LendingTree. More than 50% say they’re spending more on food this year than they were last year, and 49% say it’s become hard to afford food at all.
“Food costs are hitting every income level, and it’s changing how people spend,” LendingTree Chief Consumer Finance Analyst Matt Schulz told Food & Wine. “Nearly half of Americans are struggling to afford food, and even higher earners are feeling the pressure.”
These strained budgets are having a major impact on the way people shop. About 90% of people report changing how they shop for groceries, with tactics like being mindful of food waste and leftovers (23%) and buying more generic brands (23%) among the most popular concessions.
But a newly expanded partnership between Flashfood and Kroger may soon make it even easier for shoppers to save on groceries.
Kroger and Flashfood expand partnership
Since its launch in 2017, Flashfood has been partnering with grocery retailers across the country to lower prices for consumers and keep food out of landfills.
The platform works like this:
- List: Stores will list surplus food that is nearing its expiration date on the Flashfood app.
- Shop: Shoppers can browse and purchase available items directly through the app.
- Collect: Once the purchase is complete, shoppers head into the store and pick up items from a designated Flashfood zone or fridge.
Source: Flashfood
To date, the app has saved more than 130 million pounds of food from ending up as waste.
“Flashfood is the health, nutrition and food access multiplier the world needs today,” Flashfood CEO Jordan Schenck said in the company’s most recent Impact Report. “There are powerful tailwinds behind our business driven by today’s economic, social, and political environment.”
Kroger initially partnered with the platform in 2025, launching it in 16 Richmond-area locations. In April 2026, the grocery chain shared that it would expand the partnership to all 100+ Kroger stores in its Mid-Atlantic Division.
“From the start, our Richmond customers have embraced Flashfood,” Kroger Mid-Atlantic President Kate Mora said in the statement. “The expansion throughout our Mid-Atlantic division is a natural next step. This will give more shoppers the opportunity to save on groceries while ensuring less good food ends up in landfills, bringing our Zero Hunger Zero Waste commitment to life in a meaningful way.”
More retail:
- Amazon quietly makes surprising move into weight-related problems
- The Cheesecake Factory has a sweet new offer for diners
- Lowe’s spends $250 million to fix massive problem for homeowners
Schenck is equally excited about the expanded partnership.
“In a short amount of time, the impact Kroger and Flashfood have been able to accomplish for their local communities — improving access to affordable, healthy food — is something I’m incredibly proud of,” he said.
“Together, we’re building a modern, data-driven shrink management system that supports Kroger’s waste reduction goals while helping more families access the food they need.”
Getty Images
Kroger’s Zero Hunger Zero Waste commitment
Kroger launched its social and environmental impact plan, Zero Hunger Zero Waste, back in 2017.
“Kroger’s Zero Hunger Zero Waste impact plan is our mission to end hunger and waste in our local communities and make sure more fresh, nutritious food achieves its highest purpose: feeding people,” the company said.
“We do this by focusing on making quality food more affordable and accessible to everyone, donating more meals to nourish families, and encouraging our associates, customers, and neighbors to join our journey.”
To date, the grocery retailer has donated more than 3.9 billion meals to local communities and given more than $70 million to national and local charitable organizations dedicated to the hunger problem.
Related: Aldi shoppers get very good news
While lowering in-store prices doesn’t directly fall under the impact plan, Kroger’s new CEO Greg Foran has made it clear that he considers making food more affordable for everyone a vital part of the retailer’s mission.
“Price is an important part of [the] equation,” Foran told investors during Kroger’s Q4 FY2026 earnings call in March.
“Customers need to trust that they’re getting a fair deal every time they walk into our stores,” he continued. “We’ve made progress on price, and I want to keep pushing by pulling unproductive costs out of the business, investing in everyday value, sharpening our promotions, and making sure customers see and feel the difference when they shop with us… That’s what I want to accelerate at Kroger.”
To that end, Foran has also championed the recent expansion of Kroger’s private-label brands.
“At Kroger, customers do not have to choose between a good meal and a good deal,” the company said in a recent statement following its private-label expansion. “That means customers can get the products they need, want, and love for their families with clear savings right at the shelf.”
Related: ThredUp spots a worrisome trend in consumer behavior