Americans haven't cooked this much at home since 2020: Campbell's CEO
Share this @internewscast.com

(NewsNation) — An increasing number of Americans are preparing meals at home and choosing ingredients that help extend their food budgets, which could be an early indicator of economic challenges in the U.S.

Campbell’s, a well-known American soup and snack manufacturer, has reported the highest rate of home-cooked meals since early 2020, according to CEO Mick Beekhuizen during a recent earnings call.

“We noticed a decline in consumer confidence starting in January,” Beekhuizen explained. “This trend persisted through the third quarter, with consumers being more intentional about their food spending.”

And it’s not just where they’re eating; it’s what they’re eating.

Shoppers are being more intentional with their snack spending and gravitating toward grocery items like condensed cooking soups, broths and Italian sauces, ingredients that help “stretch tight food budgets,” Beekhuizen said.

Campbell’s noted sales of its broths rose 15% during the quarter while snack sales, including Goldfish crackers and Cape Cod potato chips, declined over the same period.

Other iconic American brands are also seeing changes in consumer habits, suggesting households are growing more cautious with their spending.

The snacking slowdown has hit PepsiCo and General Mills, and Procter & Gamble has noticed consumers cutting back on laundry to conserve detergent. Meanwhile, McDonald’s recently experienced its worst U.S. sales decline in five years, with traffic falling particularly among low and middle-income diners.

All of this comes amid heightened economic uncertainty, with President Trump’s tariff policy unsettling both Wall Street and Main Street.

The lingering sense of unease recently sent consumer sentiment plunging to its lowest level in three years, nearing a record low. Recession odds are also up since the start of the year.

Americans have been particularly concerned about the potential resurgence of rampant inflation, as retail giants like Walmart warn that tariffs will drive prices higher for a range of goods, from bananas to car seats.

So far, economists’ worst fears haven’t come to pass, though the full effect of the president’s trade war may still be months away.

It’s possible the shift toward at-home dining could prove benign, driven more by the rising cost of eating out rather than drastic belt-tightening.

Grocery prices were up 2% in April compared to the year prior, according to the latest Consumer Price Index. Meanwhile, the cost of eating out increased by 3.9% over the same period, outpacing overall inflation.

Still, prominent household brands are likely to be the first to spot trouble brewing, given that consumer spending makes up about two-thirds of the U.S. economy.

Another trend that shows Americans are feeling: Sales are up at bargain stores like Dollar General, with even higher-income shoppers stopping by.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Paramount Agrees to Pay $16 Million Settlement to Trump Over ’60 Minutes’ Interview Dispute

In a case seen as a challenge to free speech, Paramount has…

What is the RICO charge that Diddy is facing?

(NewsNation) — Jurors involved in the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs have…

Del Monte, the 139-Year-Old Canned Foods Giant, Files for Bankruptcy Protection

Del Monte Foods, the 139-year-old company best known for its canned fruits…

Oscar Mayer Recalls Almost 368,000 Pounds of Turkey Bacon Due to Listeria Concerns

According to federal health officials, about 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey…

Proposed Bill in South Carolina Could Alter Teacher Grading Practices: Here’s What You Need to Know

Some educators in South Carolina claim they are being directed to assign…

Exploring Notable and Short-Lived Band Reunions: Nirvana, Outkast, and Others Before Oasis’ Tour

NEW YORK – “Don’t Look Back in Anger” seems to be fitting…

Diddy Awaits Verdict: A Look at His Current Business Ventures

LOS ANGELES – As Sean “Diddy” Combs awaits the jury’s decision in…

Newsom Approves Major Reductions to California’s Environmental Review Regulations

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Monday signed legislation paring down the…

Concerns Rise About Serial Cat Poisoner After 13 Cats Found Dead

WAIKIKI (KHON2) — A disturbing string of cat poisonings in Waikiki has…

Banfield Describes Bryan Kohberger as a ‘Disturbed and Sinister Killer’

() anchor Ashleigh Banfield commented on Bryan Kohberger admitting guilt to the…

Grief Author Facing Murder Accusations Receives Additional Indictments

() The Utah author who allegedly killed her husband and later published…

Escalating Israeli Attacks on Gaza Coincide with Netanyahu’s Trip to Washington

() On Friday, President Donald Trump told reporters, “We think within the…