Debtor Nation: More Americans Going Into Debt Just To Buy Food

July 29, 2026 8:05 PM ET A new survey finds that nearly two-thirds of working-age adults use credit to purchase their groceries, with many finding it increasingly difficult to pay it off.The survey, published by the Urban Institute in mid-July, was conducted in December and found that low-income families are the most affected by a perceived increase in grocery costs, making the exchange of debt for food appear to be their only option. (RELATED: The Real Reasons Democrats Are Revolting And Why Conservatism Inc. Needs To Wake Up)The institute found that 34.9 percent of working-age adults, defined as those between the ages of 18 and 64, used a credit card to pay for their groceries but reported that they would pay the bill back in full. Another 19.6 percent reported they were capable of only