The cost of groceries has been a big national talking point in recent months. With President Trump’s increased tariffs, as well as other economic and weather-related factors, grocery prices just seem to keep rising. Back in April, NPR reported that the ten types of grocery items most likely to be affected by tariffs are coffee, seafood, beef, fruit, alcohol, rice, cheese, nuts, chocolate, and olive oil.
In preparation, savvy home cooks started taking advantage of their Costco memberships and buying certain items in bulk. We think this is a good practice to continue, especially heading into the holiday season. Let’s go over what groceries to keep an eye on and how to keep them fresher for longer, so you can get the most value for your money. And for the best food storage container deals to stock up on this weekend, check out our favorite Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
Key Takeaways
- Prices on 10 grocery essentials have risen in recent months or are expected to rise in the near future. Special storage containers, like these airtight canisters, will keep foods fresh.
- Costco members can bulk-buy kitchen staples before grocery prices rise even more.
- Proper food storage will keep your groceries fresher for longer, and we’ve got recommendations for storing dry goods, tasty cheeses, and tropical fruits.
Coffee
Nothing starts your day quite like a fresh-brewed coffee. Whether you prefer whole coffee beans from Brazil or Colombia, your morning cup may get pricier soon.
Veken Coffee Canister with Window
Amazon
Fortunately, there are special containers designed to prolong the life of your coffee, regardless of whether you prefer whole beans or pre-ground. This 22-ounce canister is bursting with features. There are multiple silicone rings to ensure an airtight seal. A stainless steel clasp keeps the lid on extra tight, a breather valve controls the airflow and moisture levels, and the stainless steel interior has a measurement line. There’s even a convenient date tracker on top. Most of the canister is opaque to protect the beans from light, but a small window lets you peek inside and see how much is left.
Olive Oil
Italy, Greece, and Spain produce most of the world’s olive oil. It’s featured in countless recipes and is a kitchen staple around the world. You can buy fairly big bottles of olive oil, but unless you store the oil properly, it runs the risk of going bad.
Zulay Kitchen 17-Ounce Glass Oil Cruet with Spout
Amazon
In addition to storing your olive oil in a dry, cool spot (not next to your warm stove), it shouldn’t be kept in clear glass or a bottle with an open pour spout. Zulay Kitchen’s 17-ounce bottle is made of thick green glass, protecting the oil inside from light. This set comes with stainless steel pour spouts and includes two silicone corks that create an airtight seal when you’re not using the olive oil. Screw caps and a convenient funnel round out the bundle, which is currently on sale for 35 percent off.
Chocolate
Cocoa beans are also at risk of price increases, but not just from tariffs—harsh weather, labor shortages, and other factors also play a part. Regardless of the reason, stock up on your chocolatey favorites at Costco to satisfy your sweet tooth.
OXO Good Grips 3-Piece POP Container Set with Mini Scoops
Amazon
We’re big fans of OXO’s Pop containers. They’ve performed exceptionally well in head-to-head food storage tests. Airtight seals keep contents fresh, while the unique pop-top lid gives you easy access to whatever’s inside. Store cocoa, chocolate chips, baking chocolate, or your favorite chocolate-covered sunflower seeds in your pantry with peace of mind.
Nuts
Nuts are grown all over the world, though most of the United States’ imported cashews come from Vietnam, while most hazelnuts are sourced from Turkey. NPR predicts that the cost of cashews, macadamia nuts, and pecans are likely to see the biggest price changes.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers, Set of 4
Amazon
Just like dried nuts, Rubbermaid is a household kitchen staple. The brand is well-known for the Brilliance storage container line, which consistently performs well in our tests and is a favorite choice among editors. These four sturdy containers have airtight seals, snap-lock lids, and stack on top of each other to maximize space. They range in size from 3.2 cups to 16 cups.
Rice
The term “kitchen staple” is casually used to describe common ingredients, but a “staple food” describes a food that makes up the majority of a population’s diet. Rice is a staple food for half the world, and unfortunately, prices are going up. Improperly stored rice can lead to funky smells, bacterial growth, or weevils.
Lifewit Rice Dispenser and Storage Container
Amazon
How about a storage solution that doubles as a dispenser? This clever contraption holds up to 25 pounds of uncooked rice and keeps it fresh with an airtight seal. With the press of a button, rice dispenses into an included measuring cup, and you can get straight to cooking. The dispenser is tall and slim, fitting well on countertops or pantries.
Cheese
Most imported cheeses aren’t something you can store in a shelf-stable container. You can bulk buy, but it’s still worth finding proper storage solutions so you can prolong the life of the cheese you do buy. Nobody wants their Italian parmesan to spoil, or their Dutch gouda to grow mold before they can enjoy it, especially if they’re more expensive than before.
Formaticum Cheese Storage Bags
Amazon
These special waxed bags are the key to keeping fresh cheese fresh. They’re designed to regulate airflow and maintain optimal moisture levels for the cheese inside. Mark the cheese type, purchase date, and milk type to keep track of your precious fromage. The bags are less than $2 apiece in this set of 15. You can reuse the bags a few times each (though it’s best to store the same type of cheese inside). If you’re a true charcuterie hound, there are larger sets available: 30, 45, 60, and 75 cheese bags.
Beef and Seafood
Though the U.S. is still the world’s leading producer of beef, domestic numbers are dropping, according to the USDA. Imported beef is on the rise, especially sourced from Canada and Australia, so your next hamburger patty might cost more due to tariffs. The USDA also reports that 80 percent of seafood consumed in America comes from abroad—Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam are the largest providers.
Pyrex Simply Store 9-Pack Mixed-Sized Glass Food Storage Set
Amazon
Similarly to cheese, beef, and seafood aren’t typically bought in bulk. You can certainly buy some and store it in your freezer for later use, but eventually you’ll run out of room, and these meats are best enjoyed fresh anyway. Protect your cooked leftovers with well-trusted glass containers from Pyrex. This mixed-sized 9-pack features round and rectangular containers in a range of sizes, so you can store a portion of spaghetti and meatballs or a grilled salmon for later.
Fruits
Some fruits are notoriously hard to keep fresh, but with the looming tariffs increasing prices, it’s more important than ever to get the most out of your fruit. NPR predicts that bananas, melons, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, and papayas could see the biggest impact. (Yes, avocados are technically fruit—that pit is one giant seed!).
Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Saver Set, 4-Pack
Amazon
Rubbermaid comes to the rescue again with these genius FreshWorks containers. Special filters and vents are built into the lids to control airflow and moisture over your favorite fruits and veggies. This 4-piece set has over 8,600 perfect reviews.
