Groceries

Let's all take a deep breath. I say that because I tend to avoid alarmists. That being said, I think it's prudent to pass along a forecast that claims bread and another half dozen items could be hard to find this summer in Missouri grocery stores.

It's not exactly breaking news that food prices have risen. It's how much they've gone up that is news and a new study shows the struggle is especially real for Missouri.

If you had to guess, what would you say is the top grocery store chain in Missouri? I tried to guess, but got it completely wrong. I'll give you a hint. It began its existence as "Meat Masters" and it doesn't have locations in around 75% of the Show Me State.

There are some things in life you experience, but you don't give it a deep thought why. I learned recently that you'll never hear music played on the overhead of a Missouri Aldi's. The more I thought about it, I realized I had never heard music there and there's a fun reason why.

The amount we here in Illinois are paying for groceries this year compared to last year is way higher as we know, but the numbers reveal just how much higher and the numbers paint a grim picture of the rising costs of essential food items.

If you believe that the phrase "every little bit helps", then you can rejoice that there will be a bit of a relief from grocery and gas taxes in Illinois beginning Friday, July 1.