Inflation is going on the offense for the Super Bowl

SALINAS, Calif. -- Many factors are causing grocery items to sky rocket and people are expected to be paying more than last year for their Super Bowl watch parties.

Patrons might want to reconsider what and how much they buy. Game day favorites such as beer, chicken products, and avocados for guacamole have all gone up in price according to the Consumer Price Index CPI from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“If it’s the cheapest we can get, the better. The inflation is effecting everyone," Salinas shopper Salvador Cortina said.

According to the numbers prices for chicken went up a whopping 11.6%, beer went up 1.8%, and 1.7% for all fruits and vegetables compared to 2021.

It's all due to a mix of the pandemic, labor and product shortages, and strong consumer demand.

“There really are so many different variables, the worker shortage is one issue," said Senior Director of Communications for the California Grocers Association, Nate Rose. "Everything from weather, to commodity prices, to truck driver shortages. All these things are kind of working together and all these different variables to impact pricing and causes the inflation that we’re seeing.”

With how big of an event Super Bowl Weekend is, many people head to the stores early to get everything they need. Another factor in play compared to previous years is trying to find the best deals in your area.

“I’m actually on different stores going back and forth because prices are getting higher," Cortina said.

Grocery items in every department have shot up more than seven percent compared to January of 2021. Inflation is expected to slowly increase as 2022 progresses.

“I tell you in the last two months they have gone up immensely. I’m just shocked at how much it costs to even buy milk and vegetables, everything fresh has gone way up," said Salinas shopper Marcella McClure. "Everywhere I go it’s almost twice as much as before."

According to the California Grocers Association, eggs have been the main item to go up pricewise this past January.

"Before we used to buy extra stuff. Now we just buy necessities that we need," Cortina said.

The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said pricing hasn't gone up this much since 1981.