Gas prices are impacting the food aisle

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buckle up, because it seems there's no stopping those climbing gas prices. Overnight, prices jumped to $3.84 a gallon, according to AAA. Rising prices at the pump are also being felt in the food aisle.

Every week, food shipping costs are creeping up and that's forcing many local restaurants to raise prices on their menu for the first time in years.

Keeping restaurants stocked with food could mean digging deeper into your pockets.

La Hacienda Brighton General Manager Mark Ansel said, “Your meat products and your dairy products. Chicken wings, chicken breast, you know things like that. Steaks, steak subs and hoagies, all that stuff has gone up considerably.”

With prices rising, owners have to make a decision, either to raise their prices or swallow the cost.

Ansel said, “We had to raise across the board, probably about two and a half months ago we raised across the board. That was our first raise in about 2 and a half years.”

It could effect other aspects of getting your food, like getting it delivered.

Marco’s Italian Deli Manager Joe Carriero said, “Depending on where we go and the traffic, and the gas mileage of my employees cars, it cost more.”

If gas prices continue to rise, Carriero said, “We'll have to review our menu, and adjust prices accordingly.”

Rising gas prices could have a negative domino type effect on the economy. Some experts fear if people are forced to pay more for food and gas, costumers might spend less in other areas, and that could stall economic growth.