Inflation raises the prices of many of LA’s food trucks

With record high gasoline prices affecting all areas of his business, every day is a challenge to keep open for Jesus Valencia.

“It’s too expensive,” he said.

Valencia, the owner of Samurai Hibachi Grill, said he opened in downtown Los Angeles last year because of his passion for good food. But with inflation pushing the price of gas higher and higher, the price of operating his beloved food cart may cause him to drive away from business.

“We have to pay our employees, spend money on food, gas,” Valencia said. “So for us, sometimes it’s nothing, it’s really hard.”

Before gas prices rose, Valencia said he paid around $ 140 to fill up his food cart – now he says it’s close to $ 200. But even as his truck and generator continue to suck up gasoline, Valencia said most of the pain comes from rising food costs.

“Everything with food is expensive, so even in the stores they sometimes do not have what we need,” he said.

On average, Valencia pays $ 20 per pound for meat as he uses sophisticated cuts like filet mignon and prime rib.

The consumer price index showed that the price of beef has risen almost 21% from last year. In addition to the rising cost of transporting food, the lack of competition – in many industries – has driven up prices even higher.

“There is no competition in the meat package,” said consumer watchdog Jaime Court. “There is no competition in gasoline, so the fact that we got rid of the competition in the industries over the last 10 years makes it more than likely that prices will remain high even if they do not have to.”

With no relief coming soon, Valencia said all he can do is take things day by day.

“It’s really hard,” he said. “We do not know what will happen tomorrow. Next week, the gas, it may rise more. Meat, everything can go up, so we do not know.”

To alleviate the pain, Valencia has raised prices a bit and breaks down for a few days. But when gas prices rise, he said, fewer customers are passing by.