For students who begin their mornings with a glass of milk for breakfast, finding a gallon of milk for under $3 can be a difficult task.

But dairy devotees need not cry over their billed milk.

Finding a cheap gallon of milk can be difficult for college students in town, but a gallon of milk can still be found for under $3 in town.

As of Thursday, three stores in town are offering a gallon of 2 percent milk for $2.89.

Save-A-Lot, 1400 Lincoln Ave.; CVS Pharmacy, 566 W. Lincoln Ave; and Wal-Mart, 2250 Lincoln Ave all offer a gallon of milk for $2.89.

Wal-Mart’s milk is on sale until Saturday. The regular price was $3.85 for a gallon.

Walgreens, 1430 E St., offers milk for $2.99.

Next door to Walgreens, County Market sold 2 percent milk for $3.89 a gallon and Casey’s General Store, 1900 18th St., priced milk at $3.79.

Milk may also be purchased on campus. At the Marketplace Continence Store in Thomas Hall, half-gallons of milk can be purchased for $2.25.

In 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported milk prices on a gallon of 2 percent milk as under $3 in most markets.

In 2007, prices rose to over $3 a gallon.

So far, in 2008, prices have remained level.

The USDA determines average prices by surveying one outlet of the largest and second largest grocery stores in the area, as well as the largest convenience store chain.

Chris Galen, senior vice president of communications for the National Milk Producers Federation, said prices fluctuate because of simple supply and demand changes.

An increase in feed for cows and fuel costs caused production of milk to go up, he said.

Demand remained high and remained high abroad, with milk being shipped out of the country.

But there is possible relief in the future.

“There will be a noticeable drop in farm prices in March,” Galen said.

Farm prices are the price farmers are paid for milk.

Galen said the price should drop about 25 cents per gallon.

In the last six months, production has increased by 3 percent, he added.

Customers may see a reduction in prices at the stores.

“It’s up to the retailers to drop them,” Galen said.

Matt Hopf can be reached at 581-7945 or mthopf@eiu.edu.

With the rise in milk prices, cereal is becoming an expensive endeavor for college students and community members alike. (Photo Illustration by Bryce Peake

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