DAN'S PAPERS, June 13, 2008 Page 72 www.danshamptons.com
Dan’s North Fork
Feeling The Pinch North Fork Farmers Continue To Farm Away Even With Incredibly High Gas Prices By Karma Hope I went to one of my favorite restaurants the other night and was shocked to find my favorite item had been removed from the menu. When we asked the manager about it, he said that the whey and flour used in the recipe had increased in price so much that it was no longer financially feasible to keep it on the menu. They had replaced it with a cheaper alternative, one I did not like nearly as well. I left feeling disappointed and alarmed. Our favorite Mexican food restaurant now requires its patrons to pay for the basket of corn chips that were previously complimentary. It is a phenomenon we are seeing across the country. Food costs more. According to the United States Department of Labor, the average consumer experienced a 1.5% increase on food costs– reflecting increases in all six major grocery store food groups. Escalating food prices are impacting most households in America significantly these days. The average household spends 4% of their household income on gasoline while turning out 13% for food. We can drive a little less, carpool a little more, and take fewer vacations, but we all have to eat! The expanding cost of food is hitting Americans hard. Those feeling the pinch the most, of course, are the farmers. There is a reason food prices are on the rise, and it is impacting the farming industry particularly
hard. From the small items like the wax coated boxes used to deliver produce, to the extra surcharges trucking companies are enlisting to cover the additional fuel expenses, farmers are feeling the squeeze. Several years ago, fertilizer could be purchased at around $250 a ton. Today, a ton of fertilizer comes in at a whopping $900. Even organic fertilizer prices have gone through the roof. That doesn’t even begin to take into account the way fuel prices have affected farmers at home. Filling up the tractor tank now costs more than ever. Then, there is the fuel needed to run the pumps for irrigation. Diesel fuel, which a year ago
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was less than gasoline, is now over $5 a gallon in many places. Farmers have little choice- charge more for produce or go out of business. Farmers across the North Fork are hoping that customers will understand. If food costs more at the grocery store, then it will also cost more at the farmer’s markets. Buying locally may not be cheaper, but there are still the benefits of fresher produce, which puts less strain on our economy due to lack of shipping. Buying food locally is healthier than most grocery store options because food spends less time in a truck, or on a shelf, losing nutrients. Plus, it always tastes better locally, right? However, there could be a possible silver lining for local farmers. Shipping costs are becoming more expensive each month as gasoline prices continue to rise. Many grocery chains are now considering buying produce locally to avoid exorbitant shipping fees. The added bonus is that products are coming in straight from the fields! It would appear to be a win-win situation for everyone. Unfortunately, this trend may be coming too late for those farmers that have already been dealing with the gas prices. Support your local farmer’s market and you will be sustaining not just the farmers, but your local economy as well. Drive less, buy locally, and just maybe we can all ride out this economic storm together.
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