Hornbacher's President Says Rising Fuel Prices Not Affecting Produce

Hornbacher's President Matt Leiseth tells WZFG News that rising fuel prices are not having a dramatic effect on grocery costs.  Leiseth, appearing on the Need To Know Morning Show, says that although fuel prices are higher than a year ago, trucking companies have been gradually building in their costs so that produce and goods are not rising quickly.  Leiseth says there was a period of time about 5 years ago when gas and diesel prices went up as much as one dollar per gallon in the same quarter, but current increases are much more modest.  He says beef is typically one of the most volatile products, price-wise, but even this year, reports are that there is a good supply of beef cattle across the country which should lead to good prices on steak and hamburger this fall.  Leiseth says the growing season has seen favorable conditions on the West Coast for peaches and nectarines, so there should be a fair amount of quality supply for stores this summer.  When asked about milk prices being higher than other parts of the country, Leiseth says that state subsidies paid to the region's farmers, play a role.  Leiseth says the ecoli scare surrounding Romaine Lettuce has disappeared, after some supply in the Yuma, Arizona region became tainted.  Hornbachers, he says, had been buying its supply from a more northern region, and that his stores were not affected.  Hornbacher's recently completed its annual "Cherries for Charity" campaign, and final results of the donations will be announced soon.