Kennedy's low-cost cooking demo clashes with grocery checkout reality
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s attempt to showcase a sub-$5 meal was found to cost far more when actual grocery prices were applied.
The Real Food Show, introduced by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aimed to demonstrate meals under $5 per serving, beginning with a salmon, white bean, apple and arugula dish. An on-screen graphic claimed each serving for a family of four cost $4.91. Monica Hesse, one outlet columnist, entered the ingredient list into her nearest grocery’s online cart, selecting the cheapest options, and the bill totaled $73.46, equating to roughly $18 per serving.
Hesse emphasized that the video’s cost breakdown only accounted for the amount of each ingredient used, ignoring the full purchase price of items like mayo or mustard. She illustrated that shoppers must buy whole containers, not fractions, which raises the actual expense. The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment, and the story unfolds amid broader concerns over rising food and gas prices.
Why it matters
It highlights the gap between promotional cost claims and real consumer expenses, affecting budgeting decisions for families.
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