ROCHESTER, N.Y. — High flour costs have led Wegmans Food Markets here to increase the price of packaged breads 10 to 30 cents, and in-store baked breads 10 to 50 cents. “Current prices are the highest we have ever paid in our own bakeshop,” senior vice president of consumer affairs Mary Ellen Burris wrote in a weekly consumer column. The price increases are the result of several factors, including poor wheat harvests, which reduced supply; drought, floods and low carryover stocks from previous harvests; and farmers shifting wheat fields to corn to get government subsidies for corn-derived ethanol for fuel. Along with bread, other baked flour and flour-based products are being affected, including sheet cakes and national-brand flour and cake mixes. “One national-brand flour supplier has given us multiple cost increases totaling 37%,” said Burris. “It’s not a pretty picture, and we know your gas bills, tax bills, and holiday bills are all due, too,” said Burris. “We remain committed to being priced competitively, so you won’t have to pay more to shop with us.”
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