Inflation pushes Americans to swap fresh produce for frozen food

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—More Americans are making tough choices at the grocery store as a new report finds people are buying less produce as prices go up.

A new survey from cash lender Advance America finds that one in three Americans say they're buying fewer fruits and vegetables. The report says that's because inflation is driving up prices on food that can already be expensive.

The report finds 33% of Floridians say they're buying fewer fruits and vegetables. Some people say they're switching to frozen produce to cut costs.

There's a store in North Fort Myers that some families say has changed their life. It's the Sunflower Discount Grocery, which offers lower prices on food from wholesalers.

It also has a program that allows folks with SNAP to get up to $20 worth of fresh produce for free. That's through a partnership with the state.

One mom said it's a game-changer.

"It has a major impact on the nutrition that my children are able to eat, because we don't have to buy food that's not that's frozen, you know what I'm saying," she said. "We can actually buy fresh food, and they have a lot of foods that a lot of the other stores don't have."

The survey also finds parents are still finding ways to put fruits and vegetables on the table, buying produce for their kids but not themselves.