For those of you inclined to accuse merchants of food price gouging.
The wholesale price of any/all food items is determined by supply and demand.
When the demand goes up, the price goes up accordingly.
Chickens don’t start laying more eggs just because the stores are suddenly sold out.
A rancher can’t just wave a magic wand and bring twice as many steers to market just because the demand for beef doubles.
A farmer can’t produce more rice and beans because the market demands it, those plants were put in the ground months ago.
The long-haul trucks that bring food to markets and local distributers are booked weeks and even months in advance.
With a huge jump in demand, new shipping arrangements need to be made.
When shipping company phones are ringing off the hooks, no discounts need be given.
Overtime is being paid; prices go up.
The company that makes your favorite frozen TV dinner does not have enough trained workers to handle a 300% increase in demand.
There are a lot of good reasons why prices are going up.
