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In the midst of Monday morning’s downpour, Diana Polk backed up to a side door at the Wal-Mart on 31st Street and loaded about $250 worth of groceries into her pickup.

She says not long ago the same amount of groceries cost about $180 or $200.

“The prices have just gotten outrageous,” said the single mother of five, ages 17 to nine months. “I don’t know how anybody can do it. Especially with gas the way it is.”

Ms. Polk drove in from Buckholts, about 20 miles, to save money. But according to a price comparison made by the Telegram in January, saving money on groceries is not easy.

Over the last few months, the largest increases are for vegetable oil and bread. Since January, a bottle of Crisco 48-ounce vegetable oil has increased more than a dollar at area grocers H-E-B, Wal-Mart and Brookshire Brothers.

Vegetable oil price increases are the result of competition for grain products to make biofuels, according to the Food and Agricultural Policy Institute at the University of Missouri.

“All vegetable oil prices soared in 2007 and 2008 with new biodiesel mandates, and they will continue to increase,” according to the March 2008 report titled, “Outlook shows new bioenergy mandates sustain historically high commodity prices.”

Biofuel mandates are either in effect or under consideration in three large grain-producing states: Minnesota, North Dakota and Missouri.

The price of bread also increased across the board, ranging from 20 to 30 cents for a 24-ounce loaf of Mrs. Baird’s white bread.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, high wheat prices are a result of increased global demand, and adverse weather conditions in Australia, Europe and the United States.

Temple Wal-Mart general manager Lee Grabman said the world’s largest retailer is holding the line on prices.

“We know it’s tough out there. Wal-Mart is absolutely doing everything we can to keep down prices. We’re absorbing price increases as best we can.”

Brookshire Brothers shoppers came in large numbers during Monday’s heavy rain. Thanks to a couple of specials, ground beef and milk were slightly cheaper than in January.

Bruce Bryant, corporate director of advertising, said their costs are constantly climbing

“Nearly everything that comes in our warehouse, we have seen the cost increase,” Bryant said. “We absorb as much as we can, but like any business we have to make a profit.”

Grocers also blamed high transportation costs, especially diesel fuel used by most delivery trucks, for high grocery prices.

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