First it was gas prices, and now food prices are rising throughout southwestern Connecticut and the U.S.

Many customers say grocery shopping hasn?t been easy lately. The costs of basic foods, such as rice, bread, meat and dairy, are all going up. Experts say the prices will only get worse throughout the summer.

Some are blaming the high prices on the ethanol boom, while others are blaming the increased global demand.

To help ease the stress on their wallets, some residents have been cutting back. Others have been relying on coupons and sales.

ConsumerReports.org