By Seth Helton
Murray, KY – A Kentucky Farm Bureau survey reports the cost of basic grocery items have reached a 40 year high in the state for the 2nd quarter of 2011. The Marketbasket survey sends volunteers with a list of 40 food items to groceries throughout the state to collect data on the price of food. The price totals from those lists show an increase on average of $2.50, or 2.2 percent, over the same list of items reported in the first quarter of 2011. Director of Public Relations Dan Smaldone says consumers need to be aware of changes on grocery shelves as a result of the higher costs.
"What we will probably also see is smaller packaging for our favorite products. The quantity might shrink in size a little bit but the price will remain the same, so we need to be savvy and aware consumers when we are walking down the aisles."
The rising cost of food production and transportation are driving the price higher. Smaldone says food costs are likely to continue rising as the price of gasoline and oil increases.