Flooding Will Boost Food Prices

Expect to start seeing higher prices for food that comes to our state on barges.  Though the Mississippi River has been opened back up at Natchez, barge traffic is still moving slowly.  The coast guard says one vessel at a time will be allowed to pass. UNO economist Dr Janet Speyrer says the slow traffic combined with the loss of farmland will have an affect on the price of local food products. Speyrer says any reduction in crops along the river is likely to impact the cost. She says the price of coffee is particularly succeptible. Speyrer says consumers who like to support local produce could also see a bump in the prices they pay.