Latest news with #MichaelSwanson
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Super Bowl 2025: Should fans worry about food prices this year?
With Super Bowl LIX just days away, do consumers have to be concerned about food prices when shopping for their snack platters and other good eats for Sunday? Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute chief agricultural economist Michael Swanson joins Wealth to explain that while food prices are largely flat compared to last year, items like chicken wings and avocados have seen significant price increases due to high demand. On the other hand, products like frozen pizzas and shrimp are cheaper this year. "It's received wisdom in the food industry that Super Bowls are now the number two largest spend for an event right behind Thanksgiving," Swanson says. "So, we really see a lot of people [who] don't really don't care too much about the final score, really appreciate the company and the food that's out there on the table." Additionally, Swanson highlights a shift in snacking habits, with healthier options like broccoli and cauliflower gaining popularity due to the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. Catch Yahoo Finance's interview with Sodexo Live! North America CEO Belinda Oakley on how the food services company is offering affordable cuisine at the big game. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. This post was written by Josh Lynch Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Waffle House adds surcharge to its eggs amid soaring prices
Waffle House diners must now shell out a little more for their eggs. The Georgia-based breakfast chain has placed a 50-cent surcharge on every egg it sells due to the ongoing surge in egg prices. The surcharge went into effect on Feb. 3 and has been applied to all menus from Waffle House, which has nearly 2,000 locations across 25 states. 'Rather than increasing prices across the menu, this is a temporary targeted surcharge tied to the unprecedented rise in egg prices,' Waffle House said in a statement shared with The Waffle House added that 'quality, fresh-cracked Grade A large eggs will remain a key ingredient' in many of its recipes. As for how long the surcharge will last, Waffle House says this depends on how egg prices fluctuate. 'We are continuously monitoring egg prices and will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow,' the chain said. Egg prices have soared in recent months due to a breakout of avian influenza, or bird flu, in the U.S. More than 14 million birds from commercial flocks nationwide have been lost as of January 2025, according to the USDA Egg Markets Overview. This has resulted in 'record or near-record' high egg prices at the grocery store, with a dozen Grade A large eggs costing an average of $4.15 in December, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In some locations, eggs have been seen selling for as much as $12 a dozen, or $1 per egg. Some stores have placed purchase limits on eggs, restricting the number of cartons shoppers can buy. Wholesale prices for eggs also 'continue to move higher,' according to the USDA. The current outbreak of avian flu began in 2022 and has affected more than 135 million birds. Avian flu is difficult to control because it's highly contagious and spreads easily between animals. 'Once one bird gets the flu, they all get taken out in short order,' Michael Swanson, a Wells Fargo economist, said on TODAY in 2023. Avian flu can also affect other animals, including cows and cats. In December, California governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to 'streamline and expedite the state's response' to avian influenza after cases were detected in dairy cows. It is rare for humans to contract bird flu, although it is possible. In Louisiana, a patient with underlying health conditions died after contracting a strain of avian flu. They had come into contact with a 'non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds,' according to the Louisiana Department of Health. The risk of contracting avian flu from eating commercial eggs 'is low' due to safety testing and inspection programs, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA recommends cooking eggs to a safe temperature and avoiding cross-contamination to further reduce any risk of infection. This article was originally published on
