When I’m standing in line at the grocery store, I’m guilty of peeking into other people’s carts. I also wonder if they are judging what’s in my cart, like why does she need so many boxes of frozen corn dogs?

The New York Times recently published an interactive story, “What Your Grocery Cart Says About You,” sharing grocery cart photos and store receipts from shoppers across the country.

I could most relate to Gabby Cavazos, a mom from Texas, who said she buys fresh berries every time she shops because it’s the only fruit her child will eat.

This is so common among young families there’s even a name for it: The berry budget.

My daughter also loves strawberries, but it’s getting harder to find a good deal, as food costs continue to rise.

Every dollar saved at the grocery store can really add up. For me, that extra money can help pay for summer childcare.

For someone else, that could be money for fuel to drive to work, to pay a utility bill, to buy medication or – if you’re fortunate enough – to travel on a summer vacation.

Iowa farm families work hard every day to provide nutritious, affordable food for all. However, as more people live in cities and are further removed from agriculture, farmers face new challenges to growing our food.

The latest Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index, conducted by the Harris Poll, found that 81% of Iowa grocery shoppers are concerned about government regulation that increases food costs. This was up 4% from last year’s survey and a 19% jump in three years.

More than 4 in 5 grocery shoppers also said it’s important that farmers have the flexibility to use a variety of farming practices to provide them with different choices and price options at the grocery store.

Unfortunately, other states have recently enacted mandates and production restrictions on agriculture goods that have led to higher food prices.

For example, grocery shoppers in California have seen a 40% increase in retail prices for specific pork cuts this year due to state-dictated pork production practices. Economists estimate the regulations will cost California consumers about $320 million. 

Farmers will grow what their customers demand. However, regulations pushed by activists can take away our freedom to choose, especially for those who can least afford it, including older adults, people with disabilities and families living on limited budgets.

We should all have the right to make food choices that are best for our families, our lifestyles and our values.

Even if, sometimes, those choices are frozen corndogs, because they’re quick, convenient and I know my daughter will eat them – along with strawberries.