Hamburgers and brats on a grill. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Northeast Wisconsin residents planning a cookout for Memorial Day may be experiencing some sticker shock at their local supermarkets.
Costs for everyday items continue to rise as the federal government struggles to keep prices under control. According to an economic expert with Groundwork Collaborative, food prices are up about 13% on average compared to Memorial Day last year.
“Hamburgers and brats are going to set you back more than 20%. Corn is going to set you back more than 100% compared to last year. Beer is up. A store-bought apple pie is up. Even the condiments for your hamburger,” Groundwork Collaborative executive director and economic expert Lindsay Owens said.
Owens said these higher prices are tied to the war in Iran. Diesel is more expensive, which is putting a strain on farmers and increasing the cost of transporting the food, and that is trickling into grocery stores.
At Maplewood Meats in Howard, these rising prices aren’t keeping customers away. Business has picked up heavily since Mother’s Day.
“I think there’s a lot of tradition, especially in Wisconsin, when it comes to bratwursts and grilling out,” Maplewood Meats plant manager Brad Van Hemelryk said. “I think people really are going to stay tried-and-true to family gatherings and stuff like that.”
Van Hemelryk said when it comes to Memorial Day, people buy mostly brats and burgers. He said he hasn’t seen a change in habits from customers and doesn’t believe people are cutting back on food for the holiday, despite higher prices. He also said Maplewood Meats is doing everything it can to stay ahead of any economic uncertainty.
“What we’re bringing in, we don’t change what brands we carry. We don’t sacrifice quality. That’s the biggest thing. Our customers are looking for consistency and quality, and that’s what we’re always going to strive to provide,” Van Hemelryk said.
For those driving on Memorial Day weekend, AAA is still expecting record numbers on the road. However, the company said people will likely take shorter trips this year, as gas prices remain above $4 per gallon in Wisconsin.
“It’s really rare that people decide not to travel altogether. What they will typically do is find ways to modify their plans. They still get out to see some different scenery, get a change of pace, while still taking to account those higher prices,” AAA Director of Public Affairs Nick Jarmusz said.
AAA expects these high fuel prices to continue throughout the summer, with potential relief after the summer travel season. Jarmusz added the best way to save on gas is by driving slow and going the speed limit.
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