As beef prices reach record highs nationwide, some Milwaukee businesses are finding ways to keep costs manageable for consumers while adapting to shifting buying patterns.

Milwaukee

Beef prices across the United States have reached record highs, with the average price for a pound of ground beef reported at $6.10, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This increase has led to noticeable changes in consumer behavior, particularly at local butcher shops such as Bunzel's in Milwaukee, where more customers are seeking alternatives to higher-priced grocery store beef.

To accommodate customers, some butchers are maintaining lower prices on ground beef, offering it at $4.99 per pound and providing bulk discounts, while raising prices on specialty cuts. This strategy allows families to continue purchasing affordable ground beef for regular meals, while treating steak as an occasional luxury. Local news outlets are also tracking grocery prices to help consumers find the best deals.

Beef prices hit record averages nationwide

I'm your Southern Milwaukee County reporter, Brendan Jones. As beef prices are reaching record highs nationally, places like Bunzel's here in Milwaukee are seeing a change in the way people buy their beef. In June, the average price for a pound of ground beef in the U.S. was $6.10, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It's the second most consumed meat in the U.S. At Bunzel's on the northwest side of Milwaukee, butchers say they are noticing new faces as prices at grocery stores have gone up. They say they've been able to keep their ground beef at $4.99 a pound and still offer discounts for bulk purchases while raising the price of specialty cuts of meat. You've always kind of thought of steak as being a more expensive item, so we figured that we can hide our increase in costs or prices there, and customers are still able to get a steak for a treat. It's still a treat. It's not something you get every day. And ground beef, where they have to feed their families with that once a week, they're able to still get the same good price on that. Every week, TMJ4 tracks the best grocery prices around southeastern Wisconsin, and that information can be found on our website, TMJ4.com. Reporting here in Milwaukee, Brendan Jones, TMJ4 News. And as Brendan said, we're constantly working to find you the best prices before you head to the grocery store. So just scan the QR code there you see on your screen. It'll take you to our interactive price tracker online. If you find a better deal, we want to hear about it. Let us know.

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