"We're
seeing extremes...extreme drought...and there hasn't been a happy medium. We need a happy medium," said Eddie Owens, Communications Director at United Supermarkets.
It's the worst drought in nearly a half-century and the scorching heat is destroying crops across the farm belt.
"Those crops depend a tremendous amount on an adequate amount of water, corn being the perfect example. No one I'm afraid is getting it."
The
crop-damaging drought will drive up the cost of groceries by nearly 5% and shoppers
are already seeing that jump in their corn prices, the main crop affected by the
blistering heat.
"Corn prices, lack of corn, availability, affects everything because it is such a staple throughout the grocery store," said Owens.
By next year, the USDA says we'll see other foods like beef, chicken, pork and dairy rise too since corn is what many dairy cows and chickens eat.
"We have to eat," Owens said. "I don't think any of us will be happy campers through it all."
But he wants shoppers to know there are ways to save money at the grocery store.
"Pay real close attention to
the unit price and buy in quantity when you possibly can," said Owens. "Lot of ways
to mitigate the damage if you just pay attention."
