Get ready for an expensive trip to the grocery store.
by grimgraphix - 4/10/07 10:38 AM
I have noticed in the past 2 weeks that gasoline prices jumped up to the same price I was paying at the middle of last summer... this at the end of March! It makes me shudder to think what gas prices will be this summer in July.
Of course the cost of gas will also effect any commodity transported by truck from supplier to store. The regional speciality here, pepperoni rolls, have gone up by close to a dollar per package over the past 3 years... partially attributable to the cost of gas.
Now, Nature has shown its' ugly side with the recent burst of freezing weather... You're especially in trouble if you like fresh fruit!
Cold snap damages fruit crops across Southeast
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) -- Frigid weekend weather caused frost that damaged crops across the Southeast, raising fears that peach, apple, blueberry, strawberry and wine grape crops were harmed.
Cost estimates for the damage were expected later in the week, and Georgia's agriculture commissioner said he might ask for federal aid depending on how badly crops were affected.
"We know there is a significant amount of damage through most of the state, but it's too early to give what the final analysis will be," said Tommy Irvin, Georgia's agriculture chief.
In West Virginia, Alan Gibson's apple orchard had suffered early season weather damage from hail. After three days of freezing temperatures, he predicted a total loss on the 3,000 trees in his small, pick-your-own orchard in Harpers Ferry.
Growers from West Virginia to North Carolina to Texas spent the weekend trying to save their crops as temperatures dipped into the 20s.
Not only will it cost more to get produce to the market this year... but there will be less of it. Much of the damage was because many crops had brought on young budding leaves during the unseasonably warm weather we had earlier in the year (or so local radio here in WV said this morning).
Anyway you look at it... buying fresh food looks to be getting more and more expensive for a variety of reasons. This might just be the time to consider putting in a good size garden this year. If for no other reason than to get into the practice of growing your own food since it may not be too far off... when you need a bank loan to get that shiny red WV apple or that sweet Georgia peach!
grim

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