Why is junk food usually cheaper?

Junk food is the top source of calories in the American diet — and that’s no accident. Products like breads, sugary drinks, pizza, and cookies come from crops that the federal government heavily subsidizes, keeping processed food cheap and plentiful while fresh produce gets far less support. Rising farming costs, supply chain disruptions, and new tariffs on imported foods have widened that gap further.

Here's a look at what's driving the price gap between junk food and healthier groceries, and some practical ways to eat well with SNAP benefits (food stamps) even when your budget is tight.

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Why fresh food costs more#why-fresh-food-costs-more

Fresh produce, meat, and fish have costs baked in that shelf-stable snacks don't. Fruits and vegetables are often grown far from where they're sold, so getting them to your grocery store requires refrigerated transportation, careful storage, and more hands involved along the way. All of that adds up.

Packaged snacks and frozen convenience foods, on the other hand, are loaded with preservatives that let them sit on shelves for months. Less spoilage means lower costs for food manufacturers and grocery stores. Those savings get passed on to shoppers in the price tag.

Farmers growing fresh food are also dealing with rising costs of their own: fertilizer, labor, and equipment have all gotten more expensive. Fresh crops are also vulnerable to things that packaged food isn't, like extreme weather, disease outbreaks, and supply chain disruptions can send prices spiking quickly. The bird flu that hit the U.S. egg supply in 2025 is a good example of how fast that can happen.

On top of all that, tariffs—taxes the federal government puts on goods coming in from other countries—have made some imported items like beef, coffee, chocolate, and certain fruits and vegetables more expensive at checkout.

What are the cheapest staple foods?#what-are-the-cheapest-staple-foods

The cheapest groceries are versatile pantry staples that you can buy in bulk. Think rice, oats, pasta, flour, canned tomatoes, and beans. Frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables often cost less than fresh produce, hold most of the same nutritional value, and last much longer.

Meat and fish tend to be the priciest items on most shopping lists. Plant-based proteins, on the other hand, are some of the most affordable and nutritious foods you can buy. Chickpeas, lentils, and dried peas are cheap, filling, and packed with nutrients—and they work well as a substitute for meat in a lot of meals.

How can I save money on groceries?#how-can-i-save-money-on-groceries

Whether you’re trying to eat healthier or trying to stretch your monthly food stamp deposit, here are a few tricks to cutting down your grocery bill without filling your cart with junk food:

• Check the reduced section first and buy items near their best-before date. Freeze what you won't use right away.
• Buy in-season fruits and vegetables and keep track of how costs can shift with the seasons and availability
• Buy shelf-stable staples like lentils, rice, and oats in bulk when you can
• Choose frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables—they hold most of the same nutritional value as fresh produce, and they last much longer
• Compare prices at stores near you before you shop. Some staples are cheaper at one store even if the overall prices there are higher.
• Look for store-brand versions of items you buy regularly
• Check weekly deals and coupons before you head out
• Sign up for a store loyalty or rewards program for exclusive deals and savings
• Store your food the right way to make it last. Taking plastic off of produce and keeping a paper towel in with fresh greens, for example, can prevent wilting.

We also have a guide to 15 healthy groceries under five dollars and a full rundown on how to get free food, if you need more ideas.

Is junk food banned from EBT?#is-junk-food-banned-from-ebt

Starting in 2026, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia are updating the rules around what SNAP benefits can be used to buy.

The most common restrictions cover:

• Soda, soft drinks, energy drinks, and other sweetened beverages (some states also restrict fruit drinks that are less than 50 percent natural juice)
• Candy, including chocolate bars, hard candy, and gum
• Packaged snack foods like chips and cookies (rules vary by state)
• Some prepared frozen meals (though basic frozen fruits and vegetables are still covered)

Each state sets its own rules, so what you can and can't buy will depend on where you live.

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