Mega-Mergers Distort Pricing at Both Ends

Consumers need to be made aware of how much they are being ripped off at the checkout counter on items they use every day [“Egg Prices: Laying Blame on Retailers,” June 10]. The Times ran an article a few months ago regarding the same problem orange farmers are having in this state.

We can’t stop there; we need to look at every item in the produce section and see how these mega-merger-created supermarkets are charging their customers 200% to 600% markups while beating down the price back to the farmer until he can no longer afford to grow the product or has to ask for government subsidies to keep his farm.

A visit to the Western Growers Assn. Web site at https://www.wga.com will show you the gross markups these stores are taking while telling their customers they have the lowest prices in town.

STEVE PHELPS

Mission Viejo