CFA: Preparing for rising food prices

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - One of the worst droughts on record is occurring across the Midwest, and now the problem could soon translate into steeper prices at your grocery checkout.

From Alabama to Wisconsin, high temperatures and lack of rain are causing crops to dry up.

Eyewitness News has learned shoppers in Southern New England will likely see increased prices by early fall.

How high those number jump depends on how much rain falls in the next few weeks.

"Grain meals are going to drop and our snap pea crops, they're not continuing to grow without any water," said farmer Pete Call.

According to agriculture experts, consumers can expect the drought to affect prices for milk, some vegetable oils, and salad dressings.

But not everything at the grocery store is getting more expensive.

In fact, some prices are actually going down.

Prices for beef are expected to drop in the next few months as farmers begin slaughtering cattle to deal with the high cost of grains that will soon be in short supply.

"I would say that most cattle producers that are running cows or any type of animals on pasture are going to be out of feed here in the next thirty days," said cattle farmer John Beard.

Consumers may want to stock up while it lasts, as demand will soon outstrip supply and level off prices.

The USDA provides monthly estimates of food prices. 

For June the increases are less than 5-percent for foods such as dairy and meat.

You can find the USDA's updated figure's on the drought's impact next week at their website.