Tennessee Sales Tax Holiday on food ending tonight

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Over the past month, you may have noticed your grocery bill was a bit smaller.

“I’ve probably saved about $30 over the last month,” said Lori Rosser.

“I’ve saved probably about $45 in taxes,” said Chuck Marion.

Since Aug. 1, Tennessee’s Sales Tax Holiday on food saved Memphians nearly 7% on their groceries or $6.75 for every $100.

“I’m happy with that; I can spend money on other things, like pizza,” Marion said laughing.

“I have appreciated it, and I hate that today is the last day,” Rosser said.

Wednesday at 11:59 p.m., the month-long holiday will wrap up which comes as we are seeing record high prices.

The consumer index shows grocery food prices jumped 13.1% over the past year, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending in March of 1979.

July saw the seventh consecutive monthly increase of 0.9% or more.

“Dairy, meats, I mean meats are just out of this world,” Marion said.

“Eggs, milk, meats, even fruit has jumped up,” Rosser said.

The rising costs still concern some who hope state leaders will take another look at the food tax.

“I’m from Wisconsin. we don’t have tax on food,” Marion said. “And I’ve been here for 30 years, and I’ve always been against taxing food, because you’re actually taxing the lower-income people even worse, and they don’t have the money. I think it’s a senseless tax.”

With the exemption ending at midnight, the shoppers suggest you take advantage now.

“If you have grocery shopping to do, today is the last day for the sales tax holiday; come out today,” Rosser said. “‘Cause every bit that you save, with the way prices are today every bit helps.”