Reporting Ted Scouten
HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) – Higher prices at the gas pump are affecting more than just your driving habits; they’re also starting to affect your grocery bill.
“They (food prices) have gone up significantly,” said shopper Marlene Brandt, “I perceive it’s due to the price of gas.”
From the big chain stores like Publix and Winn-Dixie, to smaller operations like the Delaware Chicken Farm and Seafood Market in Hollywood, everyone is affected.
“Chilean sea bass, it’s gone up three dollars a pound and it is mostly because of freight,” said the market’s Paul Cull.
The workers at Delaware Chicken Farm and Seafood Market said many suppliers and delivery services are charging more because of gas prices.
“The yellow fin tuna has gone up from $13.99 to $16.99,” said the market’s Jose Sanchez. “The reason why – the boat has to go out, far away, and gas prices have killed their business.”
Another factor playing into the higher prices is last winter’s cold weather which destroyed killed a lot of produce and led to the doubling of prices for tomatoes and some vegetables.
There are some ways to control your grocery budget by buying less and wasting less.
“The refrigerator is the biggest wasting machine we have in the house, because we leave the food in there and we leave it so long. Then we clean it out, we throw away hundreds of dollars worth of food,” said Dr. Albert Williams, a professor at Nova Southeastern University.
Other big savers when it comes to your food bill are getting the best deals and using readily available coupons.
