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Now, having said all that, it still surprises me the variability in people's experiences with food prices. My experience is on the side of those who haven't noticed anything except a slight general overall increase over the years - nothing dramatic. I wonder if some people are over-reacting to a particular product or two? Example: For years I was getting 12-packs of diet sodas at my local (large) market for $2.50 or $3.33 - it would fluctuate between those two prices. Then all of a sudden about a year ago, that price went up and has stayed up. I quit buying sodas altogether - I certainly don't need them. But that dramatic increase has been the exception in my experience.
A lot of people don't shop around. If one place raises prices, there are usually several others to head off to.
I wanted to make some chicken soup this weekend. I went to the local grocery and they wanted $1.29# for chicken feet and chicken back. I ended up buying three chickens for $0.79 and making by soup with the necks and backs. converting the thigh meat into strips for jambalaya, and freezing the breasts for later.
People go out of their way to buy overpriced, mediocre fruits that are out of season and ignore the fruits of the season - squash, apples, etc. that are locally grown.
My favorite place for a good laugh are some of the Whole Foods in Chicagoland. They will hang huge signs "locally grown" over Washington apples. My local grocery sells gaylords of Michigan and illinois apples for less than half the price that support the farmers in the vacinity. I guess that WF can't find any local apples.
Location: where you sip the tea of the breasts of the spinsters of Utica
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People go out of their way to buy overpriced, mediocre fruits that are out of season and ignore the fruits of the season - squash, apples, etc. that are locally grown.
Local or not, in general I just roll with the punches. If Hellman's/Best Foods Mayonnaise becomes outrageous as it did, I'll get Kraft or even generic. If summer squash are high, I'll switch to winter squash or some other veg that's more reasonable, even though they're entirely different things - and I'll dig out some recipes for them. If chicken is high I'll go more to pork, if that's too expensive I'll use eggs more. If pears and bananas are the only cheap fruit, those will be the only fruits in my kitchen until the crisis passes.
We're going to be seeing a lot more shortages of particular food items and ultra high prices in a few years, as the world supply of oil drops and prices increase dramatically - oil is heavily used in growing, harvesting, and storing foods. It's a good idea to learn how to adapt to that, otherwise we'll be spending a huge percentage of income on food (as many other countries already do).
ethanol subsidies is one demonstration of proof that government is evil. we currently make more corn for ethanol than we do for food. ethanol is much more expensive than petroleum and significantly less fuel efficient. but we choose to raise the price of food in order to make it.
Since government requires ethanol in gasoline primarily because agriculture has a strong lobby, does that prove that farmers are evil?
no, farmers are just using the system that exists. they dont have a choice but pay politicians. its up to the politicians to improve the system.
there is no honest choice here that is difficult. the only choice politicians had a tough time making is which one to support that would yield them the most campaign contributions, jobs for their family members, consulting fees when they retire, rides on private jets, free vacations, etc. etc. etc.
It's the oddest thing but here in southern NM, for example, Corn Oil 48 oz, was as high as $6.00 and coffee, the big can was as high as $12. Then this week, corn oil went on sale from $2 - 2.50 and coffee at $6.00 So what's going on? As a whole, everything has crept up over the past 2-3 years quite a bit. But I watch the sales and buy alot when something gets really cheap. Cooking from scratch is a great skill to have as is gardening and canning what you grow.
Just wondering if its my state (AZ) or happening everywhere. Could not believe how much groceries cost lately. How are retirees supposed to survive on a fixed income? I started looking for part time jobs cause I won't have enough $ if this keeps up. I may have to stock up on Ramen Noodles again.
YES! YES! YES! Food prices in my area (Upstate NY) having been rising steadily over the past 6 months.
Yesterday I went grocery shopping and I noticed:
1. Milk - gallon went up $1 in a week. $2.19 last week, $3.19 this week. It has been averaging $2.00 a gallon for a year. (NY is a milk state)
2. Potato Chips - store brand - $1.99 two weeks ago, $3.29 last week, $2.99 this week.
3. Ice cream - average price is $6.29 for a half gallon for name brand (I don't think they are really half gallons anymore) - $3.99 for store brand. A year ago ice cream averaged around $4.99 for name brand and $1.99 for store brand.
4. Bread - store brand white bread last week $1.19 a loaf, this week $1.29 a loaf.
5. Crackers - a year ago name brand crackers averaged $2.50-$3.99 a box, now the average is $4.99 a box.
6. Cereal - 6 months ago I could get store brand corn flakes for $1.99 a box. This week $2.99 a box.
7. Cheese - 8 oz block name brand averages this week around $3.50 ($2.50 on sale). I used to be able to get name brand cheese on sale for $2.00 a block 6 months ago.
8. Bakery Goods - have increased substantially the past 6 months. I used to be able to get store baked italian bread for $.99 a loaf, now it is $1.99 a loaf when on sale $2.19 a loaf regular price.
9. Potatoes - this week $2.50 for a 5lb bag on sale - $3.99 regular price. A year ago potatoes averaged $1.99 for a 5lb bag - regular price.
10. Meat - other than chicken, prices are getting too high for me to afford. $5.99 a pound for ground beef? I don't think so.
Needless to say, I have been buying less and less food each week at the grocery store. A year ago my spending averaged $30 a week for groceries, now I am averaging $20 a week for groceries. The more food prices go up the less I buy, kind of strange how that works.
I live in Northeastern Pa and our prices have been rising as well. We eat more fresh goods as opposed to processed but the cost is becoming exorbitant. I look at all the prices now and try to avoid anything not on special. So far I am lucky enough to have extra to buy extra when the prices are good but that sometimes means we have some wonky meals! I cannot imagine what people with large families are doing now!
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