Jeff Hajny

    The increase in the price of wheat is having an impact on businesses throughout the area.
     Local businesses aren't the only ones being impacted by the increase in the price of wheat, though. People throughout the community have their opinion as well.
     "I think the overall impact of this will be the rise in food prices," Seward High School Ag teacher Jack Broderick said. "I'm not sure how many farmers around the Seward area plant wheat so I think this will have a great impact on the community.
     "We've had grain prices go up and down. We are getting more consumers in Seward so any time the prices go up, the consumer will be affected."
     "Since gas went up, I used to go to Lincoln every couple days, but now we can't anymore and with wheat it's very much the same," Janet Bergantzel said. "This increase in wheat prices will affect low-income people throughout the community because they will have to focus more of their money on paying for food rather than other items."
     The increase in price is due to the world's stockpiles of grain and flour being at a 60-year low because of poor weather conditions in many wheat-producing countries.
     Wheat has historically sold for $3 to $7 a bushel. Recently it has climbed as high as $24 a bushel.
     According to federal data, the cost of white bread has risen to $1.32 per pound in recent months from $1.03 at this time two years ago.
     This increase is impacting local businesses, including The Bakery and grocery stores throughout the county.
     Despite the possible increase in prices at businesses throughout the community, customers are staying loyal to them.
     "We like coming to the Bakery," Dorine Pulse said. "We really don't care. We'll support the Bennetts and this business no matter what."
     Others in the community are seeing positives to the increase in prices.
     "This increase is great for farmers," retired Methodist pastor T.J. Fraser said. "We don't hear about farmers actually making money too often so these are great years for them. This is good because farmers share their money whenever they get it. They pay the bankers and businesses on the streets.
     "Seward's a very fortunate area. We're very blessed. I've seen other farming communities in the state and we are way ahead of many of them."