The cost of feeding a family took a huge jump last month.
"Overall inflation last month at the grocery store was approximately 3%." Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain explained. "Not 3% annualized, but 3% in a month. So, the cost of food is rising."
He told WWL's Tommy Tucker that a variety of issues are influencing what we pay for groceries.
"One of the big factors is fuel, fertilizer, labor, and then weather conditions... but the big deal is fuel. Agriculture runs on diesel."
Diesel fuel is costing 60% more now than it did a year ago.
Strain said a number of foods are at record high prices.
"I have never seen tomatoes this costly in the grocery," he noted.
The Ag Commissioner says beef prices are also in record territory.
"I do expect that we will see prices continue to rise into 2027."
