Peak oil will increase the cost of growing, transporting, processing and distributing food, and the costs of food to the consumer will rise. Foods that are highly dependent on fertilizer inputs, transported over long distances, require time-sensitive refrigerated transport, or are highly processed (e.g., ready-to-eat meals, many boxed foods, frozen foods and vegetables out of local growing season) will experience the most significant cost increases. Many fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and dairy products are also vulnerable.

Rising fuel prices will increase pressure to transport food that is currently shipped by truck or air to rail or ship/barge. Some foods that are extremely time sensitive in shipping or that do not have enough value per unit weight or volume may not be shipped at all. Given that much of the food grown in Oregon is processed out of state, rising transportation costs may make more local processing attractive and financially viable.