Many foods are seeing a decline in sales, but others are seeing a surprising spike in demand.

"When we look at the data for hamburger helpers specifically, we see that from June to August of this year, sales have increased about 14.5%, which is a big jump in a relatively short period of time," said Abby Hall, associate professor of economics at the University of Tampa.

Similar increases in the just-add-meat meals were seen during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

And demand for other cheap staples and shelf stable foods like boxed macaroni and cheese, beans and pasta is also on the rise.

"So things that people can get relatively cheaply and things that can stretch out," Hall said.

Rice sales are up 7.5% in 2025. People are also buying more canned meats lik

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