If you’ve shopped recently, you’ve noticed that food prices are soaring and grocery store shelves are empty. Want steak this weekend? The price of beef has shot up 12 percent in the past year. Want to settle for a roast chicken instead? The price of poultry is up 7 percent. Considering giving up meat altogether? Canned vegetables are up 6 percent. In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that a family of four is likely to spend about $500 more on groceries this year than last year.
Many of the cheaper food items on store shelves cannot even be found anymore. NBC’s Kristen Dahlgren recently reported that 16 percent of beverages, 14 percent of snack foods, and 13 percent of frozen items are out of stock.
Read more at “Rising Prices, Empty Shelves”