Two-thirds of residents want Government to introduce price controls on staple food items.Results from a Mindmaps poll indicate thoughts were split along racial and gender lines, with 81 percent of blacks wanting prices to be fixed, compared with 41 percent of whites, and 76 percent of women compared with 57 percent of men.Overall, 67 percent of people were in favour, 29 percent were against and four percent said they don’t know.The survey took place in early May, shortly after several charities called for more help for families struggling to cope during the economic crisis.The Royal Gazette’s The Cost of Living series highlighted how rising unemployment and shrinking wages were leaving increasing numbers of people unable to pay their soaring food, electricity and gasoline bills.Premier Paula Cox has previously suggested food price controls are not a likely option, arguing a free market is more likely to ensure consumers receive the most competitive pricing.Yesterday, Progressive Labour Party backbencher Dale Butler, who has campaigned on behalf of the homeless, said Bermuda’s prices are high for a multitude of reasons, including production and distribution costs overseas, transport, electricity, labour, upgrading equipment and facilities, and added costs from spoilage and theft.“All of that gets passed on to the consumer. The only way we can control some food prices is to grow our own or find more ways for mass production,” said Mr Butler.“World wide reports indicate the problems being experienced by farmers and how a lack of rainfall and even bees have had an impact on the quantity and quality of food.“So we will not be spared. I am impressed with the creative adverts the grocery stores have for preparing family meals and they are an asset we should continue to pay careful attention to.”According to the Family Centre, the average single parent with one child has to spend $7,000 per year on basic food, $4,000 more than five years ago.Government figures on supermarket prices show a loaf of wheat bread has gone up 67 percent in ten years, potatoes have gone up 50 percent, rice 67 percent, milk 44 percent, butter 130 percent and codfish 28 percent.A sample basket of goods costing less than $50 in January 2002 would come to $73.70 in January 2012.The Mindmaps poll, which took place between May 2 and May 12 and has a 4.9 percent margin of error, asked 400 residents: “Do you think Government should introduce price controls on staple food items?”A breakdown by age shows seniors were the most likely to oppose price controls, with 54 percent in favour and 44 percent against.This compares to the 55 to 64 age bracket, of whom 73 percent want price controls with 24 percent against.