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Byline: Kevin G. DeMarrais
Apr. 27--Milk prices are expected to shoot up as much as 50 cents a gallon this weekend after the U.S. Department of Agriculture raised the minimum price paid to farmers to a record level.
Effective Saturday, the minimum will increase by 50 cents per gallon, to $1.69, and most of that is expected to filter down quickly to consumers.
"These prices are unprecedented," said Ingrid Katz, who works with her husband and his partner at Farm Fresh Dairy, a family-owned, home-delivery business in Montvale. "We're bracing for it. We've been trying to absorb costs that have been creeping up for a couple of years, but this is going to be a big hit."
The big chains face similar price increases, and say they will be forced to pass them on to customers.
"I expect all retailers will go up," said Bob Carson, a spokesman for Montvale-based A&P. "It flows right through the whole chain. We'll stay competitive in our specific markets, but I'm sure we'll see it go through to the retail price."
Expect the same at ShopRite, spokeswoman Karen Maleta said. "On average, we're probably looking at a 50-cent increase on a gallon of whole milk."