After sweeping the House and Senate during the US midterm elections, Democrats must now turn campaign promises into policies that address voters’ concerns about affordability and access – many of which could have global implications for the food and beverage industry.
When voters cast their ballots last week, many did so on the promise that fresh representation in Congress could ease the mounting financial pressure that is forcing many of them to change how they eat and shop.
According to new data from the dunnhumby Consumer Trends Tracker, one in three US consumers reported skipping or reducing the size of their meals in the past year for financial reasons – a shift upwards that impacted demographics across the board, including middle-income households and shoppers 65 years and older.
For food companies, the affordability debate could also bring greater scrutiny of their own pricing decisions. With tariffs contributing to higher costs across supply chains, Democrats’ return to power could put food manufacturers under the congressional spotlight, with lawmakers expected to examine how companies are setting prices and passing costs on to consumers.
Frustration with grocery prices also spurred a slate of state level initiatives, including a cap on grocery taxes in Arizona.
As retailers and manufacturers navigate the changing legislative and litigation landscapes, they also face ongoing consumer pressure to deliver value – and how they respond could increasingly determine shoppers’ loyalty.
The food and beverage industry also has an opportunity to reinforce consumer loyalty by transcending party lines and bringing both sides of the aisle together, as illustrated by a playful survey by YouGov.
A global impact
The impact of the midterms won’t stop at the US border. Changes in congressional priorities, including potentially trade policies, could significantly impact how global food and beverage companies approach imports, exports and manufacturing inside and outside of the country.
European bakers, for example, must consider whether tariffs and trade uncertainty make local production a more attractive option than exporting. At the same time, a shift in Washington could help repair trade relations with Canada, which could impact how beverage brands do business.
To better understand what the elections could mean for the global food and beverage industry, our global team of reporters examines the policy shifts, consumer trends and trade dynamics that businesses should be watching in this special edition.
Explore the stories below and, if you’re a FoodNavigator subscriber, check your inbox each day for updates on how the fast-changing political landscape is affecting the industry.
We also cover emerging marketing opportunities and trends, as well as regulatory challenges – with practical advice to help businesses get ahead and stay ahead.
How will the midterm elections impact the food and beverage industry?
Democrats’ midterm victory could bring new scrutiny to tariff-driven food price hikes – Food companies should prepare for congressional investigations into pricing decisions
Democrats face grocery affordability test as one-third of shoppers cut meals – As Democrats prepare to take control of Congress, new dunnhumby research shows mounting financial pressure is changing how Americans eat and shop
Grocery prices jump in October as food affordability remains political flashpoint - Rising energy costs and continued pressure across food categories pushed grocery inflation higher, adding to consumer affordability concerns as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress
Midterm politics could have a lasting impact on consumer spending - A new survey finds that 67% of US shoppers consider a company’s political positions when making purchases, while 51% have stopped buying from a company over its political stance in the past year
Affordability, health and trust: What the midterms signal for food manufacturers – As democrats take Congress, food companies face a new competitive advantage: Trust
Grocery taxes, soda taxes and school meals: How voters decided – Food-related ballot measures delivered mixed results, with wins for Arizona’s grocery tax cap and Berkeley’s soda tax increase as California’s billionaire tax trails
Nestle’s Hot Pockets named the most bipartisan food in the US by YouGov – Hot Pockets and Kroger lead their categories in YouGov’s 2026 bipartisan brand rankings. See where Democrats and Republicans agree on food and grocery.
US midterms: Should European bakers build or ship? – European bakers weight US expansion must decide whether producing closer to customers will pay off it tariffs change
What does the midterms result mean for F&B outside of the US? -- What happens in the US has global implications and the US midterms results will mean that changes are afoot
Can the US midterms break the US-Canada alcohol trade deadlock? – A change in Washington could offer a route towards resolving the US-Canada trade dispute. But after losing export sales and retail listings, American drinks producers face a challenge in winning back Canadian consumers
