Food costs rising sharply as struggling restaurants recover from pandemic

Food is going to keep costing you more. That was the recent finding from the USDA, when it updated its consumer price forecast, which looks at the year ahead.

Wholesale beef, chicken and pork prices are expected to increase 10% to 18%. We will all feel the pinch.

It’s just another tough pill for local restaurant owners to swallow, many of whom struggled to survive the pandemic.

That includes the owners of Mom & Pop’s Cafe on Route 67 in Ballston Spa. Michael and Donna Venturiello love what they do, but sometimes, love hurts.

"You know, you have to be out of your mind to be in the restaurant business today," said Michael.

During the pandemic, they had to send their small staff home, but mom and pop kept making their sandwiches frittatas and homemade desserts, trying to make enough dough to stay afloat.

However, this latest challenge, with just about every ingredient they use and even packaging costing more, is a taller order.

Learn how much the costs are going up and how it’s affecting menu prices everywhere by watching the video of Jerry Gretzinger’s story.