Today's Article

"I've been in this business over 50 years right now, and I've never seen the meat prices so high."

Stew Leonard Jr. is the president and CEO of Stew Leonard's grocery stores in the New York 4tri-state area.

He says he's been 5splitting the rising cost with his meat suppliers instead of passing off those costs to consumers.

"I can't 6pass 100% of our cost increases on to customers, and they're 7fed up right now."

The average retail price for beef was a record $9.64 per pound last month.

That's 13% more than last year, according to the 8USDA.

Rising operating costs have forced many 9cattle farmers to reduce their 10herds.

The USDA says herd levels are at a 75-year low, but the demand for meat in the U.S. is still 11sky high.

And that's one of the reasons we're seeing 12record-high beef prices.

Instead, Leonard suggests buying hamburgers and hot dogs.

"We're going to see a little 13shift away from the expensive meats. We are noticing customers switching from beef down to chicken."

Chicken is cheaper this year. The average price for boneless chicken breast is about $4.17 per pound, and salmon prices have fallen.

But many fresh vegetables will cost you a lot of green this summer.

Tomato prices are up nearly 40% from last year due to weather hurting supply. Potatoes are cheaper, though.

So how can you save?

"There's always something out on the market where they want to move a product, so they'll give you a great price on chicken, great price on lobster tail."

Another tip Leonard says don't buy pre-sliced items like watermelon. It's a lot cheaper to buy it whole and slice it yourself.

And avoid buying products being offered as a free sample. He says many retailers 14jack up those prices.