Groceries and alcohol are getting more expensive, as Covid-19 roils food supply chain
The cost of groceries jumped significantly in April, raising concerns about food insecurity as unemployment inches toward Depression-era levels and food banks scramble to keep up. Meat prices rose 4.3 percent last month, eggs rose 16.1 percent, and cereal and bakery goods rose 4.3 percent, according to a Morning Call report on stats from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. What’s to blame? For one: Covid-19 has severely disrupted traditional supply chains, forcing processing plants to run at slower and lower capacities. Meanwhile, grocery demand is higher than ever, as stay-at-home orders shut restaurants down across the country. Even alcohol is getting pricier, by 6.1 percent compared to last year. One commodity that is getting cheaper? Gas.
