Idaho shoppers report second-highest produce cost increase in the nation

Idaho consumers are reporting the second-largest increase in produce spending of any state in the country, according to a new national consumer survey that found rising grocery costs are pushing many households toward less healthy diets.

Idaho respondents said they are spending $52 more per month on fruits and vegetables than before; a 20% increase that adds up to roughly $624 per year, or about $12 more per week. Only North Dakota reported a larger monthly dollar increase, at $99 more per month.

The findings come from a survey of 3,004 Americans conducted by Advance America and analyzed against the USDA’s June 2026 price outlook. Analysts ranked states by reported extra monthly produce spending and projected annual and weekly costs. The results reflect consumer self-reporting rather than direct shelf-price audits.

Nationally, 34% of respondents said they are buying less fruit and vegetables on each grocery trip. The USDA’s June 2026 forecast projects fresh vegetable prices will rise 7.7% in 2026 and fresh fruit prices will increase 2%.

The survey found broader shifts in how households are stocking their carts. Twenty percent of respondents reported buying more frozen produce, 9% were turning to canned options and 48% said they were eating more processed food to save money. Fifty-one percent said their diet was less healthy than it had been two to three years ago, while 28% said healthy eating was becoming financially unrealistic.

The emotional toll is also evident. Forty percent of respondents described themselves as frustrated by grocery prices, 25% said they were angry and 64% worried at least occasionally that rising food costs were making their diet less healthy.

The five states with the largest reported monthly produce cost increases were North Dakota ($99, up 38%), Idaho ($52, up 20%), and Arkansas, Georgia and New Jersey (each $44, up 17%).

The full survey results are available at the Advance America website.

This story was written using artificial intelligence with human oversight.