Milk Prices to Rise Monday on State Action

California shoppers can expect to see higher milk prices come Monday. The state Department of Food and Agriculture has boosted the price farmers receive for whole milk by 5 cents a gallon, to a statewide average of $1.71. Retailers tend to quickly pass on such increases to customers, who are finding a wide array of prices at mom-and-pop stores, supermarkets and warehouse outlets. Because the department reevaluates prices every two months, that wholesale price will be in place during February and March. The increase continues a sharp run-up that began last summer, when a shortage of butter and cheese made milk more expensive. In recent weeks, the cost of cheese and butterfat has come down, indicating that shoppers can expect some relief in April. California’s minimum wholesale price is in line with the price set in other states under a federal formula.