Food Prices Jump By Biggest Amount Since 1974

SILVER SPRING, Md. (WUSA) -- The 3.9 percent increase in food prices last month is the largest monthly jump since 1974. Shoppers here see it clearly.

"I would say we used to spend about $120 a week for our family. We have three kids. Now it's closer to $175 or sometimes close to $200," said Kate Jelen as she shopped for produce Wednesday evening.

Snider's grocery store has posted signs in it's produce department explaining price hikes as coming largely from bad winter weather.

"I think they've gone up drastically. It's hard to find fresh produce that affordable...I only buy things on sale. I search the market for a sale. If it's not on sale, I can't buy it," said shopper Evangeline Washington.

Store personnel say they can see changes in customer habits. Instead of shopping once a week, some customers now appear at the store each day, buying only what they need for the hours ahead.

Local farmers are feeling the squeeze, as well.

"We've seen some increase in some of the materials and supplies that we buy for our farm, probably 10 to 15 percent compared to last year," said John Brill of Olney's Sligo Creek Farm.

Brill says not all of those price increases get passed on to customers.

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