BELTON, Texas — Workers at meat plants across North America have suffered from coronavirus. Therefore, several plants have had to either shut down or slow production. This has caused a ripple effect down the food chain.
Local grocery stores like H-E-B and Costco have put purchasing limits on meat products because of this shortage. Big chain fast food places have also been affected.
Wendy's has had to cut many of their menu items at over one thousand locations.
Local BBQ restaurants like Schoepf's in Belton haven't been able to serve their full menu since early March. Co-owner Ronnie Schoepf said they will soon start to raise their prices.
"When we have to make price increases I hope our customers understand and still give us the support we normally get," Schoepf said. "We need to come up with a plan for how to be able to buy and sell the products and still pay our employees."
This is an issue many restaurants have faces as the price of products increases due to the demand.
Schoepf said this high demand started when people were forced to stay home and cook, therefore they buy more meat products. The workers who get sick now add fuel to the fire and cause the prices of meat to skyrocket.
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