Great Falls, MT – Great Falls residents can expect food prices to rise by 3.4% in 2025, according to the latest forecasts from the USDA. While price hikes are a common occurrence, local businesses are largely unfazed by the increase and continue to adjust to changing economic conditions.
Michael Vetere, the owner of 2J’s Fresh Market, believes the predicted rise is not unusual. In fact, he considers it typical of what was seen before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the market. Vetere’s store has already seen a 3.3% increase in prices compared to last year, aligning closely with the USDA’s national forecast. However, he emphasizes that his comparisons are rooted more in local trends than national data. Vetere often relies on information shared by local farmers and business owners to gauge price movements. Despite the uncertainty surrounding factors such as trade wars and potential tariffs, he remains optimistic about the stability of prices moving forward.
“I’d say this is probably more typical back, you know, pre-COVID,” Vetere said. “It’s hard to say what the future holds, but for now, everything seems relatively stable.”
Similarly, other Great Falls business owners are noticing slight price increases, though they aren’t overly concerned. Tara Tronson-Strunk, the owner of 5th and Wine, has observed incremental price hikes every year for both retail sales and the restaurant side of her business. While the increases are small, external factors, particularly weather events, are starting to have a more significant impact.
Tronson-Strunk pointed to the recent wildfires in California, which have devastated wine-producing regions. With wine being produced only once a year, the loss of crops has led to higher prices for wines from affected areas. Despite these challenges, the business has been adjusting by expanding its non-alcoholic beverage options to cater to an increasing number of customers choosing to stay sober.
“We’ve increased our inventory in those areas, but we also have created at the restaurant here a sober sips menu,” Tronson-Strunk explained.
The uncertainty surrounding tariffs and trade policies has added an element of unpredictability to the local market. However, both Vetere and Tronson-Strunk remain confident in their ability to adapt to whatever comes next.
At the moment, despite these expected increases, local business owners are focused on managing the situation by making adjustments where necessary. For now, they continue to keep a close eye on both local and national trends, balancing price changes with efforts to meet the evolving demands of consumers.
