Minnesotans are frustrated with rising prices across the board, from groceries to restaurant meals to gas.
In a recent Facebook post, Alpha News asked readers to report increases in prices they’ve noticed this year compared to last year. The response was significant, as many citizens have seen the difference in prices affecting their daily lives.
One reader commented that her groceries cost an average of $150 per grocery run last year; this year, the bill is closer to $180 for her. A different reader said her grocery bill has gone up $50, despite the fact that she is buying groceries for fewer people now than she was last year.
Another follower commented that Meiomi wine was $34 when buying the bottle at a restaurant last year; this year, that same bottle of wine costs $57. Six Hershey’s chocolate bars cost $7.99 now compared to $4.99 in 2020, one follower said.
Many people mentioned the price of McDonald’s meals, which several claimed have gone up significantly, as have the prices of burgers at most restaurants.
A lot of commenters also expressed concern over the price of gas, which is roughly 50 cents higher per gallon compared to last year.
One reader commented that it’s not just food and gas prices that have been affected; her massage salon makes guests pay the full price even if they miss their appointments or have to cancel.
In addition to the rise in prices, readers also reported a shortage of products in grocery stores and “less variety” in products overall. Many of these examples were meat shortages, specifically chicken, at restaurants and grocery stores because these products are now too expensive. Some local restaurants reportedly are “no longer selling chicken wings because they don’t want to up-charge customers,” according to one commenter.
The Daily Caller reported that one restaurant owner blames the chicken price increase on the labor shortage.
“The chicken wing farms in America, they’re having trouble retaining and recruiting employees,” Greg Duell told Fox Business. “When that happens, they can’t process the birds fast enough, they have to feed them more, the feed costs have gone up, the birds are getting bigger, and they can’t process and get them out.”
The consumer price index has increased by 4.2%, the highest rate since 2008, according to the Daily Caller.
Anna Miller
Anna Miller is a marketing intern at Alpha News and is majoring in entrepreneurship.
