HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The final part of the current phase out plan for West Virginia's food tax took effect Tuesday. The one time 6% food tax is now down to 3% with the last percentage point drop.

It can be tough at times for Shelley Crank to make ends meet. The mother of three watches every penny she spends and she says saving a penny on the dollar for food isn't that much of a difference.

"I don't think you'll see much difference at all," Shelley Crank said. "Just phase it out altogether. No food tax at all."

Even though West Virginia reduced its food tax from 4 to 3 percent , it's still higher than surrounding states Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania. None of those states have a food tax. Virginia's tax is 2.5%.

The tax reduction has some shoppers at Julian's market in Huntington talking.

"Customers are excited about it," Manny Washington said. "Anything helps."

Not all grocery items are down to 3% tax. Prepared food like deli items are still at 6%.

This tax reduction is supposed to save shoppers across the state 25 million dollars. The lower tax is expected to help improve the state's business climate.