Inflation is essentially a loss of purchasing power, evident in the broad rise in prices for goods and services over time. While everyone is aware that the Democratic Party rarely takes responsibility for the inflation they have contributed to, it is crucial to understand one of the many reasons why prices are more expensive today. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in the produce business and can be observed in grocery stores across the country. Prices aren’t surging because of price gouging by stores; they are escalating due to the policies of the current government.
From day one, the Biden administration declared a war on fossil fuels, a move that set the stage for the inflation we are experiencing now. The global warming alarmists celebrated these measures without understanding the financial burden it would place on ordinary American citizens. Clean energy is not as clean as advertised, but that is another discussion entirely. The cancellation of the Keystone pipeline by President Biden marked the beginning of an inflationary spiral. In the produce industry, like most food industries, fuel is the backbone of all operations—from production to distribution.
Electricity powers refrigeration, packing sheds, and warehouses. Tractors, trucks, and farm machinery run on fuel. Fertilizers are derived from petroleum. From the start to the finish of the supply chain, costs have skyrocketed due to the Green New Deal supported by Democrats. Seed companies that begin the growth process require electricity and fuel, and delivering these seeds to farms incurs additional fuel costs. At the farm, these seeds must be planted in fields plowed by tractors, further adding to expenses.
Throughout the growth cycle, fields are maintained by commercial vehicles for weeding, plowing, and watering. Upon reaching full maturity, plants must be picked and packed, a process involving machinery that requires fuel. Packing houses consume significant amounts of electricity, which has become increasingly expensive. Once picked and packed, forklifts load the produce into trucks for transportation to refrigerated warehouses. Forklifts and trucks need fuel, and the warehouses demand massive amounts of electricity.
After reaching the warehouse, the produce is sold to distributors and retailers nationwide. The majority of this transportation is handled by large semi-trucks. In California, where much of the produce originates, a mandate requires fuel purchases within the state, enabling the collection of hefty fuel taxes. Diesel prices in California have soared to $6.99 per gallon, doubling the cost from a few years ago. A semi-truck, with its 100-gallon tank, now costs nearly $700 to fill.
These semi-trucks then travel to receivers across the country, delivering to refrigerated warehouses where fuel-driven forklifts unload the products. Stored until sold to restaurants or retailers, this process is another step that relies heavily on electricity. Whether at a restaurant or a grocery store, massive amounts of electricity are needed to keep the produce cold and fresh.
Across the spectrum, food costs are rising due to increased fuel and electricity expenses. This outcome is a direct result of policies initiated by President Biden and the Democrats in support of their Green New Deal. A visit to any store or restaurant will reveal that prices have skyrocketed far beyond the reported monthly inflation rate of 3% or the year-over-year rate of 17%. In some cases, prices have more than doubled.
A grower in California recently shared the escalating costs of growing peaches. This year, it cost him $14 per case just to grow the peaches, with an additional $10 for picking and packing. That amounts to $24 per case before adding freight and end-user markup—double the cost of less than ten years ago.
Donald Trump’s election and his “drill, baby, drill” approach could significantly reduce these prices. If we truly want to combat inflation, voting for Trump is a step in the right direction. If Kamala Harris wins, we are destined for another four years of soaring prices as she dismantles our energy sector and drives us towards economic ruin.
Inflation is not just a statistic; it’s a reality that affects every American. The policies we support and the leaders we elect have direct consequences on our wallets. Let’s make informed choices to safeguard our financial future.
