Shoppers are preparing for the holiday weekend amid higher prices

SALISBURY, Md. – With the holiday weekend just ahead, grocery stores are seeing more shoppers stock up for celebrations, many of whom are noticing a change in prices.

The price of staple grocery items are going up, and those who plan to host barbecues or cookouts for the holiday are noticing an uptick in the items they need most.

Shopper Mary Agnes Fiddler says she was surprised by the prices she encountered during a recent trip to the grocery store while preparing for the long weekend.

“I was thinking, as I got the meat, I got the hot dogs, it’s like … wow. It’s a lot, it really is a lot … I can see where people are hurting, you know, with the high prices,” Fiddler said.

Even shoppers sticking to the same basic necessities each trip are feeling the sting of higher prices.

“I think they are unaffordable for the average person. I think people have to make decisions on whether they’re going to pay rent, buy their prescriptions, or buy food. I think it’s horrible,” shopper Bill Pennewell said.

Others say their grocery bills are relatively the same as they were last year. Another shopper shared, “Actually I don’t know. Some people say that, but I don’t go shopping enough. My wife usually does it, so I think it’s about the same.”

Joe Bean, Operator of Grocery Outlet, says at his store- the cost of produce has stayed consistent, but suppliers are charging more for meats like beef and chicken.

“There are some products we no longer carry because the price has inflated too much … It’s mainly in beef that we’ve had to stop carrying some of our products,” Bean said.

Despite rising prices, shoppers on Delmarva are still filling their carts and firing up their grills to celebrate the holiday weekend with friends and family.