Taste of Tariffs

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Families across the Coastal Empire are paying significantly more at the grocery store, and many say they’re running out of ways to cut back.

According to Consumer Reports, the average monthly grocery bill for a family of four has jumped from about $700 in 2024 to more than $900 a month in 2026. Local shoppers say inflation, tariffs and higher gas prices are all pushing food costs out of reach.

“The prices are ridiculous,” Savannah shopper Dorothy Mason said. “A lot of people can’t feed themselves.”

Another shopper, Jasmine Williams, says she’s having to rely more on food pantries.

“In the stores, food prices are high — and I’m not able to afford any food,” Williams said. “I have everything I need for free, and I don’t have to steal.”

Food pantries seeing higher demand, lower supply

The Savannah Impact Program has been helping families put food on the table for years, serving hundreds of households every week. Volunteers say the turnout continues to grow.

But as demand increases, supplies are getting tighter.

“We need shelf-stable items, proteins, foods that you would eat at your own home,” said Miriam Langley, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Coastal Georgia.

Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia is the main supplier for most food pantries in the Coastal Empire. The nonprofit serves 21 counties and uses a fleet of 36 vehicles to get food to local communities.

Rising fuel costs are adding to the strain.

“Our gas prices in our budget — we spent 42 percent more,” Langley said.

Tariff refunds on the way, but uncertainty remains

Businesses are watching closely for tariff relief, hoping it could eventually ease some of the pressure on prices. The first round of tariff refunds is expected to roll out May 12 to thousands of companies that imported goods over the last year. Those companies paid the tariffs directly and, in many cases, passed those costs on to consumers.

“We just don’t know — there are so many things,” Langley said of what will happen next with prices.

Williams says she’s grateful for the work food banks and pantries are doing to fill the gap.

“They are doing this out of the kindness of their heart — they aren’t asking for anything,” she said.

How you can help

If you’d like to help communities that are in short supply of food and household goods, you can donate to the Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia at helpendhunger.org/donate/