High commodity prices have led to higher prices on the shelves
WATERS, MI -- Food prices are surging and many have turned to good deals rather than digging deeper into their pocket books.
The Department of Agriculture predicts the price of food will increase three to four percent this year because of higher prices for commodity products like corn and those high prices have changed how some feed there family.
"The price has just gone up tremendous," said Theresa Bryers, an employee at DJ’s IGA in Waters, in Otsego County.
At DJ’s IGA and most every other store in Northern Michigan, the price of many products on the shelves is up.
"You definitely think twice about what you're buying, you definitely try to stick to a budget now, more so than ever," said shopper Marcia Taylor.
Families living on ends-meat depend on the best deals.
Teri Hohentanner has two growing boys and a husband at home and she says because of the staggering prices, right now it's all about the lowest price.
"Based on what's on sale, you change your menu on what you're going to have for the week. If ground round is on sale, you're having ground round instead of ground sirloin or ground chuck, or whatever the price is best," said Hohentanner.
“An average family, they're looking at $50 to $60 and that's going to feed them for just a few days," said Bryers.
Compared to last year, potatoes at the IGA have gone up $1.50 a pound, ice cream a dollar a gallon, milk a dollar a gallon, and meat, more than two dollars a pound.
"You have to use coupons, look for sales, you have to do anything," said Hohentanner.
And the reason behind the increased prices is because of a bad growing season in many parts of the country, and this year, there's simply a smaller harvest.
And DJ’s IGA in Waters has fewer employees than in the past, and the manager says it's all because of trying to stay competitive with the lowest prices as food prices continue to soar.
