'It has affected our bottom line' | High gas prices, inflation hitting local food truck businesses

HARTFORD, Conn. — On the corner of Capitol Avenue in Hartford, folks can enjoy the food from El Mariachi Poblano food truck.

Anything from enchiladas to tacos to quesadillas is on the menu every day.

However, owner Wendy Garcia said the 3-month-old business is taking a hit – thanks to the record-hit gas prices and inflated food prices.

“We not only have to pay for the groceries. We have to pay to get new gas tanks,” she told FOX61. “We have to pay for our gas, [and] our generator.”

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And that is just for the food truck. Garcia said she is paying double the gas on their personal cars too.

These increases will now hit the consumers, who will be charged more at the order window just so that El Mariachi Poblano can stay afloat.

“Normally for the sauce, we wouldn’t charge but now we’re just adding that extra 50 cents and just small amounts of things that we initially wouldn’t have a price on that we have added on to,” said Garcia.

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El Mariachi Poblano is not the only one. Tomorra Williams, an owner of Southern Bell Soul Food Truck, said she also had to increase prices.

“It has affected our bottom line,” she said. “We had to bring on the costs because of inflation with the gas prices and the cost of food being so high.”

High gas prices have also impacted her catering events.

“Depending on how far it is I have to tie [it] into the gas costs into the final price of the catering events,” said Williams.

RELATED: Gas prices soar above $5/gal. in Connecticut, new record high prices on Monday

The mother-daughter duo has also started using a smaller truck to save on some costs.

“Now, a lot of times I do the cooking at our certified kitchen and use the smaller truck with the hot box and carry the food over hot already just because of the costs of the bigger truck,” said Williams.

Both businesses are finding ways to offset the costs. They both said they hope they won’t have to raise their prices again.

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