Story thread · 3 reports / 3 sources

'Setting students up': Outrage as Trump's economy ups cost of school supplies

rawstory.com · 14dShare

Even as President Donald Trump continues dismissing Americans’ concerns about affordability heading into the 2026 midterm elections , a study released on Monday reveals that US parents are about to pay a hefty premium to ensure their children are prepared for school this fall. A joint analysis from Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation finds that a typical basket of school supplies costs nearly 8% more than it did last year, with typical school lunch items costing 11% more. Lunch boxes have posted the largest yearly price increase, as the analysis estimates they will cost nearly 27% more this year than in 2025. Other items whose prices have soared include one-subject notebooks (23% yearly increase), index cards (22%), and notebook paper (20%). Trump’s illegal war with Iran, which has caused fuel prices including diesel to surge higher, has played a large role in increasing prices, as have his tariffs on foreign imports, the report notes. The increase in diesel has been pa

First report: First on Scripps: New analysis finds prices for school supplies, lunch staples have surged since 2025 — denver7.com, 15d