In New York, recent data from budget-friendly grocery app Flashfood shows a significant surge in the demand for inexpensive, fresh essentials like beef and eggs amidst growing financial pressure and soaring grocery costs in the United States. The statistics highlight a concerning affordability issue that is unfolding across the country. Currently, protein accounts for over 30% of all transactions on Flashfood's platform. A comparison of Flashfood's figures between January 2025 and January 2026 reveals a 28% rise in purchases of ground beef.