Gas prices affecting grocers in area

By Katherine Miller

CROWLEY – With the continued rising of gas prices, many businesses in the local economy have been effected . These effects have sent a wave that has affected many industries, particularly, grocers in our area.

After speaking with local grocers, it is apparent that the recent upheavals about gas prices being the only factor to add stress to the local economy, that there is a much bigger picture to the story.

Local grocers Rusty Boulet of Superfoods Grocery store and Charles Broussard of LaGrange Food Mart shared their opinions on the matter.

Boulet first commented that he had noticed price increases the most in the area of produce, such as corn, soybeans, rice. “I have noticed that the overall price of groceries in the past few years has been at least 10%.”

There are, however, other factors included, which Boulet explained. For example, he also has noticed an increase in the price of rice, which is good for our area farmers. In his overall outlook, Boulet remains positive in his outlook on this and future situations, and he takes the good and the bad with a smile.

Broussard echoed a similar sentiment on the issue. “The most prevalent price increases that I’ve noticed lately have been in eggs, produce, and coffee.”

He also pointed out in one instance with the recent bad weather, that crops are not as plentiful this year, which also adds more to your total at the check out counter.

As an example of just how much this increase has been within the past five years, spotlighted are three basic staples, milk, ham, and produce, as compared to the prices now.

Ten years ago, a gallon of milk could be purchased for an average of $2.09, a head of lettuce could be purchased for $.59, and you could purchase 20 oz. ham for $2.50.

Today’s prices show a fair increase, with a gallon of milk being purchased at an average of $4.50 per gallon, a head of lettuce may be purchased for about $2.79, and one pound of ham may be purchased for $4.00 a pound.

In sharing his final thoughts on the subject, Broussard said, “All we can do is pray. That’s one way to make it through every day.”