MONTICELLO – Senator Chuck Schumer visited the Butcher Boys on Thorton Ave. in Monticello on Monday to introduce the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act aimed at lowering grocery costs by breaking up big meat monopolies.

“Families here in the Hudson Valley are facing one of the most expensive Memorial Day weekends ever,” Schumer said during his remarks, where he was joined by Sullivan County District Attorney Brian Conaty, Sullivan County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz, Regional Food Bank Senior Public Affairs Officer Barry Lewis and Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless Program Administrator Kathy Kreiter.  

Schumer said groceries just saw the biggest price hike in years, and beef is at record highs. He said corporate giants dominate the meat market and control prices. 

“That’s why I’m announcing the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act to lower grocery costs,” Schumer said. “Local businesses like Butcher Boys want to work with local farmers and keep their prices down, but they get hurt by big corporations and suppliers rigging the game against them.”

Schumer said four companies—Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef—control 85% of the beef market, 67% of the pork market, and 60% of the chicken market.

According to federal data, beef prices continue to set records, with the cost of ground beef and sirloin steak spiking nearly 20% since last year and up more than 50% since before the pandemic as of last fall.