The High Price of Food in San Diego

October 21, 2025

Rising grocery prices are disproportionately impacting low-income Black Americans in San Diego, with food costs climbing dramatically compared to two decades ago. According to Dr. Sally Sadoff from UC San Diego, lower-income families now spend an increasing portion of their income on food, creating significant financial strain. The price surge is attributed to supply chain disruptions, stagnating wages, and high inflation rates, with economists noting that residents in food deserts are particularly affected.

Who is affected

Low-income Black Americans in San Diego
Black children (who are twice as likely to face hunger)
Residents living in food deserts
30% of San Diego's Black population who spend nearly one-third of monthly income on housing
Grocery shoppers in general struggling with rising costs
Grocery stores/grocers facing higher wholesale prices

What action is being taken

Discount chains like Food 4 Less and Aldi are working to help shoppers stay on budget
Food 4 Less is running weekly specials, including a recent promotion giving seniors an additional 5% off
Grocers are finding new ways to keep costs manageable while absorbing higher wholesale prices

Why it matters

Food insecurity affects children's academic performance, including SAT scores and college admissions
27% of Black children live in food-insecure households (1 in 4 without reliable food access)
Black children's educational outcomes and future labor force participation are impacted
Low-income families spend a growing share of their limited income on increasingly expensive food
Rising food costs compound financial pressures for families already struggling with high housing costs

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article. The article mentions a future installment in the series that will examine how local communities are reinventing shopping habits to adapt to rising prices.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint