U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is drawing national attention after saying Americans can eat a healthy meal for about $3, a claim she made this week while discussing food affordability.
The comment quickly spread online, with critics questioning whether the estimate reflects current grocery prices.
Rollins said the $3 estimate was based on building meals around basic, minimally processed foods, including chicken, vegetables such as broccoli, and simple starches like tortillas. She framed the example as a way to encourage home-cooked meals using staple ingredients, rather than prepared or convenience foods, while discussing overall food affordability.
The remarks sparked pushback from consumers and advocacy groups who say rising food costs make that figure unrealistic for many families. The debate comes as grocery prices remain a top concern for households across the country and food inflation continues to strain budgets.
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