According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2008 Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average household spends $3,744 a year on groceries. That’s a lot of money when you think about the median household income in the US hovers at $50,000. But… what about gluten-free households? When you factor in a gluten-free diet, it becomes much more expensive. Gluten-free food often costs more than two times that of “regular” gluten-based products. My gluten-free bread is almost $8 a loaf, whereas regular gluten bread costs $3.50. In our recent January 2010 GlutenFreeCircle poll, we asked our panel about their food expenditures.
On average, how much do you spend each week on groceries (in your gluten-free household)?
| Under $50 a week | 6% |
| $50 to $99 a week | 45% |
| $100 to $149 a week | 33% |
| $150 or more | 16% |
|
Yearly average |
$5,512 |
$5512 is the average amount spent on groceries for a gluten-free family per year. That’s ALOT! 47.2% more than the average American household. Did you read the recent New York Times article on “The Expense of Eating With Celiac Disease” indicated that a gluten-free diet may be tax deductible? Food for thought.
One Comment
Thank you for posting this article. My wife and are in a foster-adoption mode for 2 young boys with gluten allergies and we are concerned that the State agencies won’t recognize the true grocery costs associated with special dietary needs. We would appreciate any additional information you have on gluten or celiac disease diets, needs, and costs.