Monterey, CA Seniors Hit By Higher Food Prices : California Drought Is A Big Culprit

The paltry increase in Social Security has done little to help seniors make ends meet when one of the biggest components of spending, on food, continues to put pressure on their pocketbooks. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently reported that the cost of groceries in March of 2014 were up 0.4%, although it said that it's hopeful that food price inflation will return to a ranger closer to the historical norm.  The category which the USDA calls food-at-home has already increased more in the first quarter of 2014 than it did in all of 2013.  The ongoing drought in California is expected to have large and lasting effects on the prices of food, vegetable, dairy and egg prices while the drought in Texas could drive beef prices higher.  Beef and veal prices are already at or near record levels all across the country.  Fresh Fruit prices are up 5.0% in March 2014 over March of 2013 and citrus fruits are up 7.2%.  Egg prices are up 9.9% year-over-year and many other dairy products have soared in price.  There was not much good news in the report and, looking out the window, it's hard to believe the drought in California will be over anytime soon.