This summer’s drought will cost a family of four $351.12 more in food
costs in 2013 — about $6.75 a week — according to calculations by The Food
Institute.
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| A dried-up river bed |
The institute, which is located in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, says families will spend about $4 a week
more for meals eaten at home and about $2.50 more per week on meals eaten away
from home.
Meat will lead the price increases, accounting for $44 of the increase for the year. Two-thirds of that increase will be for beef.
Fresh produce prices will add another $23.44 to a family's grocery bill
next year, but processed fruit and vegetable expenditures should go up by only
about $11.
However, as is always the case with food, these spending projections
could vary as substitutions are made in one category or another.
Consumers could opt to spend more on canned and frozen products to
offset higher prices for fresh; or buy poultry instead of higher-priced beef.
Other discounts offered by manufacturers and retailers, including
coupons could affect expenditures as well, the institute said.
