Draft a 5-sentence piece that examines rising grocery costs through the lens of protein prices and local budgets in Connecticut. Start with a quick grounding statistic on current inflation and protein pricing, then explain how supply chains, tariffs, and farming conditions drive those prices. Use a human-scale example from a typical family shopping trip to illustrate substitution and budgeting choices. Include a brief side note on how federal nutrition guidelines intersect with real-world affordability. Conclude with practical tips Connecticut shoppers can use to stretch their dollars without sacrificing nutrition.