{"id":8324,"date":"2025-10-19T11:24:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T11:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/8324\/"},"modified":"2025-10-19T11:24:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T11:24:09","slug":"sale-hunting-and-store-hopping-how-staten-islanders-are-coping-with-inflation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/8324\/","title":{"rendered":"Sale-hunting and store-hopping: How Staten Islanders are coping with inflation"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Soaring grocery prices are reshaping how Staten Island families shop, with coffee and beef leading nationwide price hikes that are pushing household budgets to the breaking point.<\/p>\n

Labor Department data reported by The Wall Street Journal <\/a>shows coffee prices jumped 20.9% over the 12 months ending in August to $8.87 per pound \u2014 nearly $1 more than in May. Ground beef rose 12.8% to a record $6.32 per pound. Even the humble banana increased more than 6%. (They\u2019re still 69 cents a pound at Gerardi\u2019s in New Brighton, as of this writing \u2014 a small win for fruit lovers.)<\/p>\n

According to The Wall Street Journal<\/a>, overall inflation this year has been far below the surge of pandemic-fueled price increases in 2022, when it hit its highest level in four decades. However, the August inflation report <\/a>showed grocery-price inflation accelerating, with dairy, fruits, vegetables, and cereals all becoming pricier.<\/p>\n

\"TraderTrader Joe\u2019s opened its second Staten Island location on Monday, Sept. 23, at 6400 Amboy Rd. in Pleasant Plains, unveiling a 12,000-square-foot store.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)Staples and best pricing <\/p>\n

Various Staten Island families recently shared how rising prices have reshaped their grocery routines. <\/p>\n

An Eltingville mom said she now makes Trader Joe\u2019s \u201ca mandatory stop, because they have the best prices \u2014 especially for fruits and vegetables. I pay much closer attention to sales now, which I never used to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Tottenville retiree shared: \u201cI switched to home delivery (Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh) because of two surgeries this year. Now that I\u2019m back on my feet, I shop Trader Joe\u2019s for groceries and Target for other household items. Trader Joe\u2019s has the best prices on most staples, in my opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some shoppers are making drastic changes to avoid high meat prices. A West Brighton retiree said her family jokes about shopping at a local market \u201cwhere prices are outrageous, but we\u2019re not willing to deal with traffic or crowded parking lots just to find bargains.\u201d Instead of buying meat at local shops, she said she chooses to \u201ceat at a restaurant and bring home half the meal for the next day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AThe borough’s newest ShopRite on Staten Island opened in September at 150 Greaves Lane in the Evergreen Plaza. The store offers a massive produce area and chef-prepared food inventory. STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE<\/p>\n

A woman with a family of four from Grasmere said she\u2019s definitely more cautious with her spending when food shopping. She explained she\u2019s stopped making frequent trips to a smaller food store, where she added that prices seem higher than at larger supermarkets. Instead, she said she shops at ShopRite twice a month, focusing on sale items from the weekly flier and stocking up — sometimes wondering if she has enough fridge or freezer space. She said she\u2019s also relaxed her spending at Costco, noting that even bulk items come with sticker shock, especially at checkout.<\/p>\n

A Concord resident said she now bounces between Met Food for fresh meat and fruit, and ShopRite for general and prepared foods. She noted that her choices are driven more by product quality than price.<\/p>\n

\"Fish\"Met Food locations in Grasmere and Castleton Corners have a unique niche in the borough with their fresh fish departments, deli counters and meat sections. Shifting loyalties<\/p>\n

Store loyalty has shifted as well. A Silver Lake mother of two said her family now travels to Stop & Shop in Port Richmond instead of a closer, smaller store, because \u201cit\u2019s not worth the cost of their more expensive groceries.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Wall Street Journal attributed price increases partly to rising commodity costs and tariffs on imported goods, such as Spanish olive oil, Guatemalan bananas, and Vietnamese shrimp.<\/p>\n

\"MoreMore than 100 shoppers lined up for Aldi\u2019s grand opening on Thursday, June 26, 2025, as the discount grocer opened its second Staten Island location in New Dorp. (Advance\/SILive | Jessica Jones-<\/p>\n

Economists said inflation is driven by a mix of global supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and increased transportation costs. The Federal Reserve\u2019s interest rate hikes have helped slow overall inflation, but food prices remain stubbornly high due to weather-related crop issues and geopolitical tensions affecting imports.<\/p>\n

Staten Island\u2019s geography and traffic patterns can make grocery trips time-consuming — especially for residents without a car. North Shore shoppers relying on public transit often travel farther to reach discount stores than those on the South or West shores. For drivers, crossing the Bayonne Bridge to big-box grocers may save 10 minutes or more compared to heading to Costco in New Springville, depending on the day and time. <\/p>\n

\"StopOver the summer, Stop & Shop lowered prices on thousands in its five Staten Island locations.Courtesy of Stop & Shop<\/p>\n

Despite the toll, some shoppers find it worthwhile, especially given the difference in sales tax rates: New York City applies a tax on specific items like soda and candy at 8.875%, while New Jersey\u2019s rate is lower at 6.625%. With similar exemptions for basic groceries, the savings can add up –particularly for bulk-buying families.<\/p>\n

New stores, new hope<\/p>\n

Staten Island shoppers may find relief as several new grocery stores have opened this year, creating more competition for their hard-earned dollars. ShopRite of Evergreen Plaza opened last month <\/a>at 100 Greaves Lane in Great Kills, offering 62,000 square feet of fresh groceries, chef-prepared foods, and online shopping. ALDI opened in June at 430 New Dorp Lane,<\/a> promising low prices and organic produce with curbside pickup. For some South Shore residents, Trader Joe\u2019s opening at 6400 Amboy Road was a game-changer.<\/a> Lidl\u2019s Staten Island Mall location, which debuted in December 2018<\/a>, marked the retailer\u2019s first store inside a mall \u2014 a milestone for both Lidl and the New Springville shopping center.<\/p>\n

\"FineFine Fare in Dongan Hills is a 9,000-square-foot store built from the ground up, featuring a full deli and meat department. It is located at 1689 Richmond Rd.-<\/p>\n

On the East Shore, Fine Fare supermarket in Dongan Hills, at 1689 Richmond Rd., officially opened in December 2024.<\/a> Built from the ground up, the 9,000-square-foot store features a full deli and meat department, with a Starbucks<\/a> conveniently located across the parking lot. It filled a void for Dongan Hills residents and became a more convenient option for shoppers who previously relied on smaller butchers and gourmet delis, where prices tend to be higher.<\/p>\n

Food Dynasty of Rosebank, located in the former Top Tomato space at 1071 Bay St., <\/a>underwent several months of renovations before its grand opening celebration in June 2025.<\/p>\n

\"nwsThe C-Town Supermarket, located at 1234 Castleton Ave., West Brighton, opened in December 2024. Mike Matteo<\/p>\n

C-Town Supermarket opened in December 2024<\/a> at 1234 Castleton Ave., providing a full deli and meat department in a 6,000-square-foot store for North Shore residents. In the months leading up to C-Town\u2019s debut, the nearby Key Food began sprucing up<\/a> its parking lot and making cosmetic upgrades <\/a>to its storefront.<\/p>\n

Despite the growth in shopping options, some shoppers said they remain frustrated with pricing practices. On the Advance\/SILive.com Instagram page<\/a>, one commenter criticized a local grocery store, opining: \u201cInstead of needing the store\u2019s membership card to get the sale price, they should just lower prices for everyone. Take care of the customers who keep you in business. That line on the receipt, \u2018You saved $11.50 today\u2019 is such BS.\u201d<\/p>\n

The good news? Staten Island shoppers have never faced as many choices as they do today when it comes to the food they eat.<\/p>\n

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