LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Restaurants and shoppers in Las Vegas are bracing for higher food prices as extreme drought conditions sweep through the United States.
"It's just the way it goes," said Andre Rochat, who own's Andre's Restaurant and Lounge at Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino. "You have to adjust. Period."
Rochat has been running Andre's for about 15 years. In that time, he's dealt with a lot of competition, but a large-scale drought is one of his biggest enemies.
"We have to adjust our price of course," he said. "And who ends up paying for it? The consumer. That's the sad part of it."
While he is paying more for food, he hasn't passed on that cost to his customers - at least not yet.
Nearly 80 percent of the country's corn-growing regions are in a drought. The Labor Department reported food prices are up more than 2 1/2 percent from June of last year. That adds up for restaurateurs and families.
"I worry about the condition of the vegetables and the fruit, but they have good deals in (the store)," said shopper Janice Gaines.
Shoppers at Fresh and Easy are looking for any bargain they can get.
"Certain things are at peak at certain times of the year," said Kathleen Eickhoss, store manager at a Las Vegas Fresh & Easy. "And that's when you want to buy them. That's when they're going to be at their cheapest."
Eickhoss said the drought hasn't really affected prices in her store. Those are set by the company, and they try to group the cheaper and seasonal items together.
Outside at the gas pumps, however, customers are getting a break. The price at the pump has been on a downward trend in Las Vegas since May 18. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Las Vegas area is $3.37.
Restaurateurs told FOX5 they are hoping that gas surcharges will drop so that can offset the price of higher food. If not, the menu might get a few adjustments.
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The largest price increases may be seen with corn and beef products.
