A photo from a Yulee, Florida Publix location recently went viral on Reddit after a shopper called out what they described as “criminal” meat prices (1). The image shows a 1.23-pound cut of organic prime tenderloin priced at $49.99 per pound, bringing the total to $61.49.
“Not only is this meat mediocre, it’s ridiculously priced,” the shopper wrote. “What the hell, Publix?!”
The post got under readers’ skin, especially at a time when food prices remain high. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, between 2020 and 2024, U.S. food prices rose 23.6%, forcing many households to rethink their shopping habits (2). With that in mind, a $60 cut of beef raises a practical question for consumers: Is this price in line with broader market trends, or are they just price gouging?
Shoppers rethink what goes in their cart
Reddit has become a sounding board for users who are expressing their frustration over rising grocery prices (3). One commenter noted that the cost of the Publix tenderloin alone, Florida diners could enjoy a full ribeye or tenderloin dinner, complete with bread, two sides and soft drinks, at a local steakhouse for anywhere between $26–$31.
Others took a no-nonsense approach, suggesting the most effective response isn’t outrage, but snubbing the chain altogether.
“Just don’t buy these products. DON'T PAY ABSURD PRICES FOR PROTEINS. Consumers have the power. If we don’t pay these prices, they will lower,” another user added. "Eat chicken or whatever is cheaper locally until prices come down.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that retail beef and veal prices rose for the eighth consecutive month between July and August 2025, jumping 2.7% in just one month and nearly 14% compared to the year before (4). The increase reflects a supply crunch that’s been building for years, as cattle herds have steadily declined in size since 2019. Even so, consumer demand has remained strong.
Amid the beef, the White House has highlighted that food inflation is moving in the right direction overall. In December 2025, President Trump noted falling prices in select categories, including turkey and eggs, as evidence of progress. An annual report from the American Farm Bureau found frozen turkey prices averaged $1.34 per pound in 2025, down 16% from the year before (5). The administration has established a new task force to monitor pricing practices and competition within the food industry (6).
Broader inflation data still paints a murky picture. Grocery prices overall were up 1.9% over the 12 months ending in November, according to the Consumer Price Index; lower than earlier in the year, but still higher than grocery inflation at the same time in 2024 (7).
How shoppers can adapt
Not everyone saw the price as outrageous. Some users pushed back, arguing the cost reflected the quality of the product rather than price gouging.
