RENO, Nev. (KOLO) -It’s like grand central station here at Sierra Feed in Reno, and this is just an average day.
Trucks with Sierra Feed, large carriers, or other vehicles are all diesels.
“100%,” says Mindy Cannady, owner of Sierra Feed. “Everything we take out, everything we bring in whether we go and get it or it’s delivered to us, it’s 100% diesel fuel.”
That means the hay they have delivered, or what they deliver to customers.
50-pound bags of feed for anything from pigs, to chickens, to bird feed in also included. Inside the store has dog food, cat food, clothing, rakes, and grooming supplies.
All of it at one time or another took a ride on something diesel powered to get here.
”Freight prices have doubled,” says Cannady. “Almost doubled over night. Fuel surcharges on deliveries from freight companies continue to go up. It’s a big problem.”
Those are materials coming to them.
Here at checkout there’s a sign that tells the customer how much it will cost to deliver the hay or other feed. to their homes. The sign also reminds customers these prices may not be the final word.
Mindy says they all understand what business they’re in. Animals need to eat, and some customers she says will go without, so their companion doesn’t have to. That’s why she says she’ll work with anyone.
It may mean a delivery won’t be there for a couple of days as she makes sure the truck is full to get the most out of a tank of gas. That rule also applies when her crew picks up feed from outside the area.
She says the store no longer gives discounts for say, using cash or buying large volumes.
There’s been additional pressure as well.
These past couple of months she says she’s had to work with those impacted by the fires.
“We work with the local community that is also providing the infrastructure for families and horses and animals that have been evacuated,” says Cannady. “So, we do those things the best we can.”Cannaday says she’s had to get creative, get tough, and figure out how to work her way through these tough times.
She says unfortunately she just doesn’t see an end to skyrocketing diesel prices.
Sierra Feed celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.
Mindy says despite diesel prices she hopes to be around for the next 50 years.
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