Trump agriculture secretary sparks backlash with $3 meal claim
US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is under fire after claiming that a hearty meal under the government's new nutrition guidelines could cost Americans as little as $3. Rollins and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced new dietary guidelines on January 7, which they have said will return Americans 'back to basics'. There has been some concern that the new meal recommendation, which places focus on 'protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and whole grains,' will come at a greater cost to low-income consumers. When pressed about that issue in an interview with News Nation, Rollins guaranteed it will not, even claiming meals could average less than $5 per serving. 'While we're asking Americans to reconsider what they're eating, are we actually asking Americans - especially those who are living on the margins - to spend more on their diet? And the answer to that is no.' Rollins claimed the US government had run more than 1,000 simulations of groceries within the newly recommended guidelines to determine whether it would cost the consumer more. 'It can cost around $3 a meal for a piece of chicken, a corn tortilla and one other thing,' Rollins said in an interview with News Nation. 'There is a way to do this that will actually save the average American consumer money.' Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins claimed new dietary restrictions would not cost Americans more money. Rollins claimed one portion of a meal within the government's new restrictions could cost as low as $3 per serving. Her confident assertion on grocery prices was met with backlash, as working-class Americans on social media flamed Rollins for being 'out of touch'. 'Around $3 for chicken?!? I guess she doesn't do her own grocery shopping…I just paid $10 for one pack of chicken cutlets,' said one commenter on X. 'Ah yes, the magical $3 meal, where broccoli grows on trees and chicken cooks itself,' another added. 'I'd like to know in what universe you could buy a piece of chicken or broccoli for less than $10,' a third wrote. 'That's why so many lower-income folks eat fast food. It's expensive to eat healthy. Chicken breast alone is $2-3 from the grocery store,' a fourth said. 'People don't think about the cost to cook the meal. Water, electricity, dish detergent, salt, pepper, seasonings, etc,' one person assessed. 'All of this contributes to additional hidden costs. Even tap water isn't free. Water bill or electric to run well pump.' Americans chimed in to fire back at Rollins's 'tone-deaf' comments. The nw restrictions emphasize fruits, vegetable and protein while recommending fewer whole grains. Grocery prices reportedly remained unchanged in the last months of 2025, even jumping sharply in December, according to the New York Times. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the average American city, chicken alone now costs $4 per pound. Bread averages almost $2 per pound and dairy products average between $4 and $6. The USDA's 'Thrifty Food Plan' prices the monthly cost for meals of an adult at up to $300. That averages to almost $4 per meal. Additionally, new restrictions have upped protein requirements and put an emphasis on dairy. New restrictions recommend adults eat between .05 and .07 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day, with the protein coming from a variety of sources. Three servings of dairy are recommended each day. For fruits and vegetables, Americans are now advised to eat two fruits and three vegetables each day. Grains are now recommended to make up a smaller portion of the American diet. People were told to consume two to four servings of whole grains per day and to prioritize 'fiber-rich' versions. Secretary Rollins and RFK, Jr. released a statement outlining the government's new guidelines. Rollsins said the new guidelines would put an emphasis on farmers and ranchers. Rollins has said the new restrictions will not only benefit the health of Americans but also contribute to farmers nationwide. 'Thanks to the bold leadership of President Trump, this edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans will reset federal nutrition policy, putting our families and children first as we move towards a healthier nation,' Rollins said in the press release. 'At long last, we are realigning our food system to support American farmers, ranchers, and companies that grow and produce real food. 'Farmers and ranchers are at the forefront of the solution, and that means more protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains on American dinner tables.'
Rollins insists the costs will stay low, with meals as cheap as $3
US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is under fire after claiming that a hearty meal under the government's new nutrition guidelines could cost Americans as little as $3. Rollins and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced new dietary guidelines on January 7, which they have said will return Americans 'back to basics'. There has been some concern that the new meal recommendation, which places focus on 'protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and whole grains,' will come at a greater cost to low-income consumers. When pressed about that issue in an interview with News Nation, Rollins guaranteed it will not, even claiming meals could average less than $5 per serving. 'While we're asking Americans to reconsider what they're eating, are we actually asking Americans - especially those who are living on the margins - to spend more on their diet? And the answer to that is no.' Rollins claimed the US government had run more than 1,000 simulations of groceries within the newly recommended guidelines to determine whether it would cost the consumer more. 'It can cost around $3 a meal for a piece of chicken, a corn tortilla and one other thing,' Rollins said in an interview with News Nation. 'There is a way to do this that will actually save the average American consumer money.' 'The nw restrictions emphasize fruits, vegetable and protein while recommending fewer whole grains'
Backlash and numbers behind the $3 meal claim
The backlash continued online as working-class Americans responded to Rollins's $3 meal claim. 'Around $3 for chicken?!? I guess she doesn't do her own grocery shopping…I just paid $10 for one pack of chicken cutlets,' said one commenter on X. 'Ah yes, the magical $3 meal, where broccoli grows on trees and chicken cooks itself,' another added. 'I'd like to know in what universe you could buy a piece of chicken or broccoli for less than $10,' a third wrote. 'That's why so many lower-income folks eat fast food. It's expensive to eat healthy. Chicken breast alone is $2-3 from the grocery store,' a fourth said. 'People don't think about the cost to cook the meal. Water, electricity, dish detergent, salt, pepper, seasonings, etc,' one person assessed. 'All of this contributes to additional hidden costs. Even tap water isn't free. Water bill or electric to run well pump.' Americans chimed in to fire back at Rollins's 'tone-deaf' comments. The nw restrictions emphasize fruits, vegetable and protein while recommending fewer whole grains. Grocery prices reportedly remained unchanged in the last months of 2025, even jumping sharply in December, according to the New York Times. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the average American city, chicken alone now costs $4 per pound. Bread averages almost $2 per pound and dairy products average between $4 and $6. The USDA's 'Thrifty Food Plan' prices the monthly cost for meals of an adult at up to $300. That averages to almost $4 per meal. Additionally, new restrictions have upped protein requirements and put an emphasis on dairy. New restrictions recommend adults eat between .05 and .07 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day, with the protein coming from a variety of sources. Three servings of dairy are recommended each day. For fruits and vegetables, Americans are now advised to eat two fruits and three vegetables each day. Grains are now recommended to make up a smaller portion of the American diet. People were told to consume two to four servings of whole grains per day and to prioritize 'fiber-rich' versions. Secretary Rollins and RFK, Jr. released a statement outlining the government's new guidelines. Rollins said the new guidelines would put an emphasis on farmers and ranchers. Rollins has said the new restrictions will not only benefit the health of Americans but also contribute to farmers nationwide. 'Thanks to the bold leadership of President Trump, this edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans will reset federal nutrition policy, putting our families and children first as we move towards a healthier nation,' Rollins said in the press release. 'At long last, we are realigning our food system to support American farmers, ranchers, and companies that grow and produce real food. 'Farmers and ranchers are at the forefront of the solution, and that means more protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains on American dinner tables.'
