Consumers Talk About Grocery Prices in West Hollywood, CA

Prices for everything are going up. With the rise in fuel prices it costs more to produce things and to get them to the market.

I live in West Hollywood, California and spoke with people at my local market, Gelsons, a small upscale independent chain with 18 stores around Southern California. The chain, started in 1951 is known for quality products and personal service and is a favorite among Los Angeles foodies.

Here is what people were thinking about the rise in grocery prices:

"It hurts, but I think its inevitable, prices for everything go up, never down. I'm trying to cook more at home and eat our less. What choice to I have, my income stays the same, so I need to stretch it to go farther" -- Rachel Goldberg ,stylist, West Hollywood

"I have a family and its very hard. I can't shop here of course (laughs) but my wife shops for us and each week more money, more money. But I see the prices go up, sometimes it's my job to put the new prices on, so I see first." -- Armando Garcia, grocery clerk, Paramount

"Everything we use or eat is on a truck. It may come on a boat or a plane, but at some point it's on a truck, whether they bringing it to a store or they bringing it right to your house. Trucks use gas, gas keeps rising, prices are gonna rise, simple math bro." -- Raphael Gomez truck driver South Gate

"The prices here are reasonable compared to what I find in Holland. The stores are bigger here, but I do like stores like Gelsons that are focused on quality for customers, it is a good way to do business. I went to Von's (another large grocery chain) and it was huge, like a whole shopping mall with a dry cleaners, video store and bank inside too." -- Amanda Goepp, artist, Amsterdam Holland

"I find some myself checking prices more now, before I would just pick up whatever I wanted. I also make a list and even go to Costco for some things. I also love Big Lots, they have a lot of cheap soaps, paper stuff. I only come to Gelsons for fruit, meat and fresh vegetables now."
Jennifer Levine attorney West Hollywood

It's funny you ask those questions here, because one thing I did was to stop shopping here, and shop at Ralph's (a large California grocery chain owned by national chain Kroger). Even though I live a block away, Gelson's is just too expensive for me, I did some comparisons and found I was paying a lot more. Sure the stuff is better here, but I'd like to drive a Rolls Royce, but just can't afford it. I only came in today to get some wine, because they do have a great selection and good prices."
David Stenlen graphic designer West Hollywood

"I work two jobs now for my family. My husband works two jobs and my sister stays home with my son and her son and daughter so we can pay the bills. But I am happy we can pay the bills and we have insurance and good school for my son. Life is hard for many people, they must be thankful for the good things, not feel anger at the bad ones." -- Maria Echevarria store cleaner Canoga Park

"It really sucks. I just eat less." -- Abe Mayer writer / student Hollywood