RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Nevadans are continuing to be impacted by rising grocery costs as diesel fuel prices also continued to rise.
The team lead for the Raley’s store in Sparks at Wingfield, Nick Barainca, says because products for grocery stores are delivered by diesel trucks, the grocery prices are impacted by higher diesel fuel prices.
He says that until those prices go down, grocery prices won’t go down either.
“As we keep advancing, I think Germany’s running on a lot of electric trucks. So, someday, hopefully, we’ll get to that point. And then that way, when things are going on with gas and diesel and everything, we can keep the cost down,” says Barainca.
A study done by LendingTree shows that Nevada has the fourth highest grocery bills in the country with families spending over $9,000 a year on groceries.
Analysis: Organic vs. Conventional Food Prices | LendingTree
One shopper and resident of Sparks, Stephen Fecura, moved from Alaska last year, saying that in Alaska grocery prices were high since most of the produce and products need to be shipped from far away. But he says that now living in Sparks, grocery prices aren’t much less than they were in Alaska last year.
“The groceries up there are about 28% higher. Up in Alaska, you have shortage of chicken and eggs. It depends because everything has to be shipped. But here, I see the price is getting up to like we’re back in Alaska,” says Fecura.
He also says that it’s concerning to see families struggling to make ends meet, especially when housing costs and gas prices are also rising.
“I’m amazed at even just something like ground beef, hamburger per se. The cost per pound of just hamburger. Even those that have the availability of having a SNAP card or food stamps, I don’t think it’s nearly enough that they’re able to sustain their family’s needs with that,” says Fecura.
Local grocery stores are trying to help customers by offering deals, especially ahead of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Barainca says over the next three days they’re going to have deals on uncut tri-tip, they will have eight ears of corn for a dollar, and they will have price cuts on other ingredients and supplies needed for the holiday.
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Dining and Cooking