Old North News

A recent battleground state poll released by the League of American Workers showed that economic issues were the top concern of voters in the states polled, which included Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Sixty percent of respondents cited rising food prices as one of their top two most important impacts from inflation. Notably, the poll also found that 77% of respondents believe the country is on the wrong track and 57% disapprove of the president’s handling of the economy.

Steve Cortes, chairman and founder of the League of American Workers, noted in a column at American Greatness that the pessimism voters have in the direction of the country can be attributed to economic anxiety. "Of the mere 39% of respondents who approved of the President's handling of the economy among battleground state independents polled, only 9% said they 'strongly approve' while 48% registered that they 'strongly disapprove'", said Cortes.

Cortes highlighted that nationally, grocery prices have soared by 20% in just three years. He particularly pointed out common items like chicken breasts and ground coffee which have seen their average prices increase by 30% and 33%, respectively.

He argued these inflationary impacts can be directly linked to President Biden administration's spending levels as they increased federal debt by $6 trillion since taking office.

"While the President may be selling 'Bidenomics', these results indicate that Battleground state voters aren't buying", said Jon McHenry, a partner with North Star who conducted the survey, according to Old North News.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) most recent Consumer Price Index report showed an overall CPI rise by 3.7 percent from Sept. 2022 to Sept. 2023.

According to BLS data, nationwide food index has seen an increase of 3.7 percent from Sept. 2022 to Sept. 2023. Certain items such as cereals and bakery products have seen a surge of up to 4.8 percent over that same time period.

The BLS' Consumer Price Index report for the Southeast region showed that the price index for food for all urban consumers increased by 0.2 percent between Aug. and Sept. 2023. From Sept. 2022 to Sept. 2023, it increased by 3.9 percent while the price of cereals and bakery products went up by 4.2 percent.

A WRAL News analysis revealed an increase in prices for many foods sold at the North Carolina State Fair compared to a few years ago, part of a phenomenon some analysts are calling "funflation," which refers to rising costs of entertainment.

Finally, The USDA's Economic Research Service has predicted that in 2024, all food prices will increase by between 2.1% and up to 6.7%. Prices of food at home could rise by between 1% and up to 7.8%, while prices of food away from home could rise by between 4.4% and up to 6.7%.