In Buffalo And Troy: Gillibrand Continues Statewide Tour Addressing The Rising Cost Of Groceries, Lagging Consumer Confidence

Today, standing alongside Upstate New York leaders and advocates in Buffalo and Troy, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand continued her statewide tour addressing the crushing impact of rising grocery and household goods prices on working families. The push follows a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index report showing headline inflation surged to 4.2% , the sharpest 12-month increase since April 2023. In Buffalo, Senator Gillibrand visited FeedMore WNY, an organization that provides food and skills training to Western New Yorkers in need. In Troy, Senator Gillibrand stood at Bargain Grocery, which offers fresh food at discounted prices, expanding food access and avoiding food waste. “Donald Trump promised to tackle rising costs, but instead he has made life unaffordable for New Yorkers,” said Senator Gillibrand. “While Trump has poured billions of dollars into a forever war, New Yorkers cannot afford basic necessities as prices on groceries, gas, and essentials have skyrocketed here at home. I will continue to demand accountability and fight for all Americans being crushed by these unsustainable costs.” “FeedMore WNY is proud to serve our neighbors and help keep our community nourished and thriving,” said Collin Bishop, Vice President of External Affairs for FeedMore WNY. “This includes our distributions and partnerships through our food bank distribution network, our home-delivered meal services supporting our older adults and homebound neighbors, and the fresh, affordable produce we offer through our Farm Market. However, high grocery prices combined with cuts and changes to SNAP have increased the strain on our community members, as well as the emergency food programs that are already operating at or beyond capacity. Access to affordable, nutritious food is a key element in the fight against hunger and maintaining safe, healthy, and robust communities throughout Western New York.” “It is no secret that families are struggling here in New York, and I hear the same concerns from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle across the country,” said Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh. “Federal policies, from tariffs to war continue to drive up the cost of everyday necessities like food and fuel. As one of the few health care professionals in the Legislature, I know firsthand how important access to healthy food is in preventing and managing conditions like hypertension and diabetes. But with rising grocery costs and changes to SNAP enacted by HR1, it is becoming increasingly difficult for families to afford nutritious food. We can and must do better. Every family should be able to afford healthy food and put a nutritious meal on the table.” The spike in costs is hitting New Yorkers directly at the checkout counter, with the prices of staple items like fruits and vegetables climbing 6.1% , and nonalcoholic beverages up 5.8% . With average wage growth lagging significantly behind , working families are experiencing a severe gap in purchasing power, driving consumer confidence down as basic monthly expenses outpace paychecks. Gillibrand blamed the rising costs directly on Trump’s ongoing war in Iran. She reiterated her commitment to curbing military actions abroad to shift the focus back to Americans struggling at home. ###