Inflation hits rural Alaska as food costs climb

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Alaska meals costs have taken a giant leap from April of final 12 months to April of this 12 months — leaping 11.3%, in line with federal figures — with the price of meals rising a mean of 1.2% throughout the state over the past decade.

Sticker shock for groceries is nothing new for rural Alaska, however a lot of these costs are being pushed additional and additional.

Whereas federal statistics solely have a look at city Alaska, the Alaska Business Firm has 34 shops serving many communities off the highway system and mentioned their costs have risen over the previous 12 months.

“In our AC retailer in Nome, a gallon of milk was $6.99 final 12 months, it’s $7.99 this 12 months,” ACC president Kyle Hill mentioned. “So, it’s a buck extra, and for the client each week, you already know, that’s some huge cash.”

The rise in meals costs varies relying on the merchandise, and Hill famous eggs rose 10 cents, versus a greenback enhance for a gallon of milk over the previous 12 months. Hill mentioned a giant driver for the bump in costs is rising transport, labor and manufacturing prices.

“We’ve tried to run the best and environment friendly shops by lowering working prices wherever we might in order that we couldn’t move on these inflation space will increase,” Hill mentioned. “Nevertheless, in some circumstances, we’ve needed to move them on, and similar to the remainder of the nation our inflation price is trending at 7 or 8% proper now 12 months over 12 months.”

The AC retailer president mentioned they’re hoping inflation will plateau within the subsequent six months, and inspired customers to purchase in bulk and select lower-priced manufacturers if they’ve the choice.

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