CHICOPEE, Mass.—Inflation has caused food prices to go up by almost 10% in the past year alone, and the Fruit Fair grocery store in Chicopee is trying to stay competitive.

Inflation is affecting just about everyone, including Chicopee’s first grocery store. 

Fruit Fair Co-owner Sam Newell said their main vendor sends them price increases every week and the number of items going up has tripled in the last month.

Newell said it’s forced people to buy less.

“The customers who would get like 20 things would get like 15 things because people’s budgets didn’t go out,” Newell said. “It’s just the pricing that went up.”

Newell said inflation has caused many businesses to experience labor shortages, pay more overtime, and have trouble finding qualified employees. 

Inflation has also caused many distribution companies, including her own vendors, to charge a fee for fuel, which wasn’t happening before.

“Our main distributor charged us $75 each time they ring a truck a from Hatfield to Chicopee,” Newell said. “So gas prices have really added a lot of cost to food.”

According to Newell, Fruit Fair currently has partnerships with over 60 local vendors.

She said one reason the store has kept its shelves stocked during this time is because of the support they have gotten from those small farmers and local businesses.

“Fruit Fair has been able to survive by supporting its local vendors and local produce.” Newell said. “Because local produce, local products don’t get stuck at the port.”

Newell said many grocery stores haven’t survived in Chicopee and says being able to serve generations of customers has helped them stay afloat in the long run.

“Fruit Fair has always had a true loyal customer base who has always helped kept Fruit Fair alive.” Newell said. “Who has seen thick and thin? It’s the main reason fruit fair didn’t close three years ago, five years ago.”