Pittsburgh area weathering higher prices after Russian invasion of Ukraine

WEXFORD, Pa. — The co-owner of The Oven in Wexford said the price of some of the products they use has skyrocketed, including the delivery of their ingredients.

James Samreny said he was hit with labor shortages during the pandemic and now higher costs. With Russia invading Ukraine, things could get worse.

“Fuel costs are always baked into the product,” said James Samreny, the co-owner of The Oven.

The costs have trickled down to his customers. He has already had to raise his prices three times during the pandemic.

“We try to spot raise them so were not raising everything, just raise what you need to so the customers aren’t feeling too much of that pain,” said Samreny.

And for those cooking at home it’s no bargain either, especially for the essentials.

“Bread, eggs, milk the essentials have gone up,” said Leonard Labriola, manager of Labriola’s Italian Market in Warrendale.

Food prices at grocery stores are spiking and so are the costs of items to actually store the food.

“The biggest thing is our containers. It used to be $40 and now containers are $95 to $100,” said Labriola.

The prices of some food at Labriola’s Italian Market in Warrendale have gone up 30% to 40%.

Labriola said they are trying to absorb most of the higher costs so they’re not passed down to their customers. But he’s most worried about a potential fuel cost increase that he says may delay his food deliveries and leave empty shelves.

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