Spring Farmers Market Prices Soar Due to Fuel Hikes

0:00Farmers at the North Carolina State Farmers Market are hiking prices on fresh fruits and veggies this spring, mainly because fuel costs have spiked. Since late February, gas averaged $3.94 per gallon and diesel hit $5.53 as of April 28. That means more expensive runs for tractors, trucks, and greenhouse heaters. Take Robert's family farms, they bumped tomatoes from $3 per pound last year to $4.75 since now, and cucumbers from $1.49 to $2.49. Other spots like lease produce are doing the same across their crops, spending up to $10,000 a month just on diesel and gas. Farmers filled a pinch but said they got to pass some cost to shoppers, even though folks are already tied on cash. One grower admitted they hate sticking it to customers who show up weekly, but tractors don't feel cheap at $500 bucks a pop. It's not just fuel plastic for crops, packing boxes, fertilizer, and even credit card fees are way up too.

1:02Farms like pennies produce are eating what they can, but loyal buyers will spot those jumps on strawberries, squash, and more. So as you hit the market for that spring haul, brace for steeper tabs, but these local ops are still grinding to keep shells stocked fresh. Local news, powered by AI. This is Durham News Today.