CA, US & World
Iowa Small Grocers Struggle as Tariff-Driven Food Prices Climb
As sweeping White House tariffs on imported goods begin to take effect, small grocery store owners in Iowa say they’re starting to feel the financial pressure—especially when it comes to food essentials imported from overseas.
In downtown Des Moines, Sun Philavenh, owner of the New Oriental Food Store, says she’s seen prices rise rapidly in just the past week.
“It feels like $5 go up, but it’s going to go more,” she said. One specific example: a single order of rice noodles jumped $10 overnight—a price increase so steep that Philavenh decided to cancel the order altogether. “Because too much,” she explained.
Philavenh, who has run her store in the East Village for 20 years, imports most of her products from Asian countries and worries about how her loyal customers will react. “Before, they come in thinking, ‘Should I buy or not?’” she said.
The pressure is being felt beyond Des Moines as well. In Ames, Wheatsfield Co-op Grocery has also received warnings from suppliers. Store manager Stacey Brown said the first wave of increases will likely hit coffee, wine, bananas, and seafood, with more hikes expected soon.
“We hate to increase prices,” Brown said. “Especially for food. Everyone needs food.”
While most current inventory at both stores has not yet been affected, owners say that cushion won't last more than a few weeks.
When asked what she would say directly to President Trump, Philavenh didn’t hesitate: “Hope they don’t kill the small business.”
With essentials rising in cost and uncertainty looming, Iowa’s small grocers are bracing for tough decisions ahead—and urging leaders to consider the ripple effects of tariff policy on local businesses.
Story from CNN Newsource
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April 12, 2025
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