Local restaurants adapting to rising food costs

Rising costs for food and other items are forcing some local restaurants to hike up their menu item prices or find other solutions.

News 25 spoke with David Macon, the owner of Puff Belly’s in D’Iberville, who has had to adapt his menu because of inventory costs. He’s had to raise the price of a few items, but for other food items he’s had to reduce the portion size.

Macon wants the public to be aware that if they see their favorite local restaurant has added one or three dollars to an item, it’s not to get rich. “My chicken prices have doubled easily. The chicken wings have tripled. Produce prices are up 30 to 35%. Same for my to-go items such as pizza boxes and Styrofoam cups. I had trouble for three weeks just finding Styrofoam cups not to mention paying for them. Food prices are just killing us. I don’t see how some of the operations are making it honestly.”

These cost increases mixed with staffing shortages are causing a great deal of stress on small businesses and Macon encourages everyone to be patient with their serving staff during this time.