HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Suggests Cheaper Meat Alternatives

Kennedy encourages eating liver and "cheap cuts" over expensive beef.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested on Friday that people should consider eating liver or "cheap cuts" of meat instead of more expensive beef, in response to the high cost of beef. Kennedy made the comments at an "Eat Real Food" rally in Austin, Texas, where he claimed that "good food is not expensive."

Why it matters

Kennedy's comments come as food prices, particularly for meat, have risen significantly in recent years, putting a strain on many household budgets. His recommendation to seek out less expensive protein sources like organ meats and lower-cost cuts of meat aims to provide more affordable options for consumers.

The details

During his remarks at the rally in Austin, Kennedy encouraged attendees to explore alternatives to expensive beef, such as liver and "cheap cuts" of meat. He claimed that "good food is not expensive," suggesting that people can find nutritious and cost-effective protein sources beyond just premium cuts of beef.

  • Kennedy made the comments on Thursday, February 27, 2026 at an "Eat Real Food" rally in Austin, Texas.

The players

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The current U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is the son of former U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

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What they’re saying

“Good food is not expensive.”

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (Eat Real Food* rally in Austin, Texas)

The takeaway

Kennedy's comments highlight the ongoing challenge of food affordability, particularly for protein sources, and suggest that consumers may need to be open to exploring less expensive meat alternatives to stretch their food budgets.