Back-to-school costs surge as supplies and meals climb sharply
A new analysis shows that prices for common school supplies and lunch items have risen sharply, pushing average family spending higher this year.
An analysis of weekly retail transaction data covering millions of products reveals that prices for the 21 most common school supplies have risen about 7.7 percent, with lunch-related foods climbing roughly 11 percent. The steepest increases include lunch boxes (+27 percent), notebooks and related paper products (+20 percent), and blueberries (+48 percent). Experts attribute these gains to tariff impacts, higher fuel and shipping costs tied to the conflict in Iran, and rising oil prices that affect transportation and production.
The surge in costs is felt especially by women, who typically handle household purchasing, and many parents anticipate taking on debt to cover back-to-school expenses. The situation is compounded by recent cuts to SNAP benefits, leaving families with tighter budgets as the new school year approaches.
Why it matters
Rising school supply and meal costs strain family budgets and may force more households into debt.
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