Charles Schumer

Central New York has seen some of the fastest increase in grocery prices over the last 10 years, according to a thinktank, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) said today.

Central New Yorkers in the 22nd Congressional District - Onondaga and Madison counties and portions of Cayuga, Oneida, and Cortland counties - have seen an increase of 54% over 10 years, according to a study by the Urban Institute. Monthly costs have gone from $730 to $1,130, according to the study.

The 24th Congressional District, which covers Oswego and Seneca counties as well as part of Cayuga and Jefferson counties, saw a 52% monthly increase, from $710 to $1080 a month.

Speaking from the parking lot of a Tops grocery store in Auburn on Monday, Schumer blamed the rising cost of groceries, in part, on a meat market monopoly.

“Four companies, just four companies, control 85% of the beef, 67% of the pork, 60% of the chicken,” Schumer said. “Tyson Foods, JBS -- which is not even American -- Cargill, and National Beef.”

In March, Schumer and other Democrats introduced the “Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act.” The bill would break up the monopoly in the meat industry and invest in local farmers, Schumer said.

Local farmers receive just 30 cents to the dollar for their meat sales, Schumer said.

Ken Post, who owns Post Family Farm in Scipio, said that he has had fewer customers lately. He now has to sell to commercial markets, instead of local customers, he said.

“We need to level the playing field,” Post said at the news conference on Monday. “We need to rein in these big four and have some more support for locally raised beef and pork.”