US Workers Cut Lunch Spending and Skip Meals Amid Rising Living Costs
A new ezCater report shows 54% of US full-time workers skipped lunch weekly in 2026 due to inflation and rising living costs, cutting average weekly spending by 8% to $100.23.
US Workers Cut Lunch Spending Amid Rising Living Costs
American workers are increasingly cutting back on midday meals as high living costs continue to strain household budgets. According to a recent report by ezCater, 54% of full-time employees in the United States skipped lunch at least once a week throughout 2026. The survey, which polled 1,000 full-time workers with a margin of error of 3%, highlights a steady upward trend in skipped meals over the past four years.
Robert Kaskel, vice president at ezCater, told CNBC that the share of workers skipping meals has grown consistently since 2023, when the study was first conducted and 48% reported missing at least one weekly lunch. An overwhelming 81% of respondents stated that inflation has directly forced them to alter their workplace eating habits, prompting them to cut back on dining out, seek out discounts, tighten household budgets, or pack meals from home.
"There is a sense that we need to be available and connected 24/7," said Samantha Buchman, a clinical psychologist at New York University. "I think these stressors heavily impact people's ability to make healthy choices."
Economic Projections and Financial Impact
Economic forecasts from the US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service indicate that food-away-from-home prices will rise by 3.5% in 2026, matching the 20-year historical average. Meanwhile, food-at-home prices are expected to increase by 2.4%, remaining below the long-term average. Even though inflation has moderated from its 2022 peaks, consumers continue to feel the pinch in their wallets.
Workers spent significantly less on workplace lunches in 2026 compared to the previous year. Weekly spending averaged $100.23, encompassing both groceries and takeout, which marks an 8% decrease from 2025 levels. Kaskel emphasized that this reduction serves as clear evidence of inflation altering consumer behavior.
Workplace Pressures and Younger Generations
Beyond financial pressures, employees face increasingly demanding work environments. Roughly 31% of respondents noted that high workloads make it difficult to step away from their desks for a proper lunch break. Corporate culture, strict time constraints, endless meetings, and managerial expectations were frequently cited as primary reasons for eating at the desk or skipping meals entirely.
Younger generations feel this constant availability pressure most acutely. Gen Z and millennial workers are twice as likely as older colleagues to experience managerial pressure to skip meals during the workday.