(NewsNation) — Vice President Kamala Harris talked about her plans for an “opportunity economy” at a North Carolina rally, focusing on her promise to push for a federal ban on price gouging on groceries and outline strategies to cut other costs.

She defined an opportunity economy as one where “everyone can compete and have a real chance to succeed” and advocated for a strong middle class.

Harris outlined her plans at an event in Raleigh, North Carolina, marking her first policy-centric speech. The speech will also offer voters a glimpse of what to expect at the upcoming Democratic National Convention and possibly over the next four years.

Addressing the crowd, Harris spoke about her own experiences growing up in a family that rented a home for much of her childhood and talked about working at McDonald’s in college to earn money. She emphasized protecting consumers and highlighted efforts to help small businesses while also expressing support for labor and unions.

Taking on high grocery costs

Harris said more details on her economic plans would be coming, but the rally would focus on the price of groceries, noting that prices that rose during the pandemic have yet to come down even as inflation has cooled.

“A loaf of bread costs 50% more than it did before the pandemic,” she said. “Ground beef costs nearly 50% more.”

The vice president noted that large food companies have seen the highest profits in nearly two decades while consumers continue to struggle with the high cost of living. She called out businesses that are not playing by the rules while lauding those, especially small businesses, that are trying to operate fairly.

Harris announced her intention to pass a federal ban on price gouging on groceries, something that has not been done before. She said that would include new penalties for businesses who take advantage of a crisis to hike up costs as well as support for smaller businesses trying to succeed while abiding by regulations.

“Competition is the lifeblood of the economy,” Harris said.

She suggested Trump’s economic plans would cost the average American family $3,900 per year while pledging to reduce the cost of living with plans to help bring down costs, including housing costs, medical costs and tax cuts for middle and working-class Americans.

Harris also called out Project 2025, noting it would add to more debt for Americans. The effort, which lays out a blueprint for a conservative administration, has been controversial and heavily attacked by Democrats. Trump has attempted to distance himself from Project 2025, but some of those involved in the project have strong ties to his previous administration.

An opportunity economy

The Harris campaign also released a comprehensive four-year plan aimed at reducing housing costs and addressing the housing shortage gripping the nation — another major driver of inflation.

Harris plans to use federal resources to promote the construction of 3 million new housing units if elected. Her plan also includes passing legislation to slow rent increases and providing $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.

Additionally, her plan includes proposals to strengthen Social Security and Medicare, building on Biden-era initiatives like capping insulin costs at $35 and limiting out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs to $2,000 for everyone, not just seniors.

Harris also touted recent efforts by the Biden administration to reduce the price of 10 prescription drugs, with plans to continue negotiating for lower prices on other common medications. Those efforts only impact those receiving Medicare, not Americans who have private insurance.

Harris will also call for reinstating the American Rescue Plan by expanding the child tax credit up to $3,600 and $6,000 for children in their first year of life. She’d also expand the earned income tax credit to cover people in lower-income jobs without children, which the campaign estimates would cut their effective tax rate by $1,500.

“Vice President Harris has made clear that building up the middle class will be a defining goal of her presidency,” the Harris-Walz campaign said.

‘We’re the underdog campaign‘: Harris

The Harris campaign shared a YouTube video Thursday night featuring a conversation between Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, discussing everything from food to music and football.

The video was released as former President Donald Trump held his second news conference in as many weeks, where he continued to criticize Harris for allegedly avoiding the media.

Despite this, the chat between Harris and Walz has garnered more than 1 million views as of Friday morning.

In the video, Harris playfully teases Walz for not answering the initial phone call about his selection as the Democratic candidate for vice president.

“You didn’t answer, Tim. What happened?” Harris asks, to which Walz responds, “I know. I know. The most important call of my life; it popped up, and we didn’t recognize the caller ID.”

They also discussed their families, Walz’s high school football coaching career and how he successfully turned the school’s program around, comparing that experience and their campaign.

Additionally, they both describe their campaign as the underdog in the race for the White House.

“Our campaign is the underdog campaign; with our joy, we have to understand we are still up against some forces that are trying to divide our country. It pains me the division and the stoking of divisions that has taken place,” Harris said.

The video was released on the same day Harris and President Joe Biden held a campaign rally together in Maryland for the first time since Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris as the new Democratic Party presidential nominee.