I mean you can drop the sarcasm indicator and actually be correct. Every single state has price gouging laws already. However, I know Republicans will now act like it's a terrible "communist" plan just to obstruct it.
Right? My favorite. It's not really something that's enforceable on that level though. It would be easier to bring prices down by breaking up these large companies. And if that fails, just start a government grocery store that opens up in food deserts first, then in high cost of living areas. See what happens to prices when they need to justify people going there instead of the government store.
Depending on how the recenr precedent curtailing the agency of government agencies holds up, teams of lawyers presenting teams of scientists to judges with political agendas may become the norm.
Legally, criminalizing systemic food waste would be a good step.
Some jackass economist will pop in and say that there's no such thing as price gouging. That prices are set by market demand. It is true to an extent, because if people weren't buying things at those prices, then the store would lower the price. The problem with groceries is that there isn't really a price discovery method for the average person unless they go to every possible store and price compare. It's not like you can go online and find prices for every option and alternative for groceries. People just assumed that prices have gone up due to natural inflation, which isn't the case here.