5 Items the Frugal Middle Class Should Buy at Aldi Before Summer Price Hikes
Food prices are on their way up this summer, so frugal middle-class shoppers should be preparing their grocery budgets for the coming price hikes. Retail Brew reports that grocery prices rose 0.2% in May, a smaller jump than the 0.5% jump in April, and while that may not seem like much, certain goods are up quite a bit from last year. Tomatoes, for instance, are up 35% and ground beef is up 12.1% from last year.
For money conscious shoppers and those on tighter budgets, Aldi offers prices that are often significantly less than groceries at other stores — even Rachel Cruze shops there, finding that Aldi offered lower prices than Walmart on chicken, ground beef, sour cream and oranges, among other items.
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As summer heats up, these are the five items you need to buy at Aldi before summer price hikes hit.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Tomato prices are up significantly from recent years as a result of the Iran war and tariffs along with withdrawing from a duty-free import deal with Mexico, reports the Associated Press. For summer burgers or salads, you can buy them now before prices increase further. Apples typically see a summer price surge since they’re out of season, so you may want to grab some on your next trip if you’re craving anything apple.
Coffee
Coffee prices continue to climb, outpacing overall grocery inflation, rising 18.5% year-over-year in April 2026, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED). If this trend continues, coffee will continue to have an outsized impact on the grocery budget. For frugal middle-class families who prefer their own brew to the more expensive coffee shop option, stocking up on coffee now may mean avoiding higher prices as the summer continues.
Ground Beef
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, beef and veal prices are predicted to see a 12.1% increase in 2026. The average price per pound for 100% ground beef in April was $6.90, per FRED, but the actual cost will vary based on geographic location and the store you choose. Aldi’s 93% ground beef is currently priced at $7.29 per pound compared to over $8 per pound at Target and Walmart.
Brats and Hot Dogs
Ground beef isn’t the only meat seeing price hikes as summer gets closer. For frugal middle-class families who want to keep their summer cookouts going without draining their bank accounts, now’s the time to stock up on brats and hot dogs at Aldi. The best part is that you can freeze them now and have them on-hand all season. Prices for frankfurters, for instance, climbed 7.7% year-over-year in May 2026, according to the latest consumer price index (CPI) data.
Canned Fruits and Vegetables
From May 2025 to May 2026, the price of canned fruits and vegetables has risen 5.2%, due, in part, to higher tin plate prices, per CPI data. The great thing about canned goods is their long shelf life, so you can stock up before prices get much higher. Many of Aldi’s canned goods are under a dollar, including Happy Harvest brand cut green beans, diced tomatoes and sweet corn.
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Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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