View Full Version : Wow, food prices are high!
I went shopping today. And wow, food prices are high!. I shop at a warehouse style market (winco) with lots of bulk. I bought mostly fresh vegetables: a pound of broccoli, a head of cauliflower, a bag of potatoes, onions, a head of lettuce, lemons, celery, 4 carrots, 3 bell peppers and half a pound of mushrooms and a Napa cabbage, a loaf of bread, a bag of tortillas chips, a jar of salsa, a half pound of dried chickpeas, a bit of dairy: butter/cheese/sour cream/half and half. Meat consisted of beef neck bones and a whole chicken (five dollars). My biggest splurge was package of ground lamb which set me back 7 dollars. But wow. that came to about $70! that's crazy. No soda, no coffee, no milk, no convencience foods (other than the chips and salsa, but the tortilla chips are a huge bag for less than $3.00. And the bread which is expensive at $3.65 a loaf!) Now I know if I want to manage on less I could make my own bread and chips, but my grown daughter wants some things that are commercial and why not? But I was shocked at the sticker price. I tossed in a couple of packaged items for the pantry that set me back $2.00. I'm looking at my weeks menus which for the most part are soups or the chicken with the rice or tortillas which I have, or beans and rice. Sandwiches for lunch, or left overs. I don't really do breakfast. I have coffee and tea to last so no worries there. I went over to look at canned pumpkin and canned applesauce, thinking to make breads or cookies and was surprised how high they were, and didn't get them. I actually have more than enough, and counting stocked supplies such as tortillas, oil, sausage, homemade soup stock, bacon,etc, I have more than I need but I am still shocked. I also notice that when I shop for me alone I spend less because I'm more willing to have super simple meals and not make as many prepared dishes, or am satisfied with very simple ones. Anybody else experiencing sticker shock?
Well, they said that food prices were going to go up like 20% this year...
I buy off brand. I do shop @ Mart-Mart and frequently purchase their brands and I know I save a tremendous amount.
But I'm not a poor woman (despite my public servitude salary.) And there's a part of me that thinks that I should spend the money I need to spend so that I can enjoy my food and not just eat boring beans and rice and other boring dishes.
Food is supposed to be one of the pleasures of life. I am not of the school that thinks you should eat to live. I think eating well is part of LIVING.
So this week I made bubble and squeak (boring) and also chili mac (also boring) and ate those all this past week. Boring week of eating. I will be making something more exciting and fun this week (French onion soup and pizza) and the added expense be damned!
SteveinMN
10-28-12, 4:34pm
I usually shop at the food co-op, so it's always eye-opening to visit one of the big discount stores in town. Usually it's because the prices at BigStore are so much lower, but lately it's been because that price gap has narrowed considerably. Stew meat at the coop runs around $6.49/lb for grass-fed (pastured when weather permits) antibiotics-only-when-sick beef from local farms -- and $5/lb for whatever it is in the Styro package at the regular supermarket. Yeah, it's still a 35% premium, but that's a lot lower than the premium used to be. Curiously, the prices at many of the local Asian groceries is much lower -- more like $2.99/lb for similarly unspecified meat. Produce prices are lower at BigStore and lower still at the Asian grocery, by about the same margin as previous years (Haralson apples are $2.49/lb for local organic apples, but they were $1.29/ib [sale?], non-organic and shipped-from-Washington at BigStore. I didn't look to see if the Asian grocery had Haralsons (wasn't shopping for them).
But, yes, in a business environment in which workers are being told there's not enough money in raises to even keep them up with the increased cost of living, food has gone up quite a bit. We've reacted by stocking up when things are on sale (with a natural limit of not having lots of cupboard or freezer space) and sometimes just hoping the price goes down someday because the current price seems exorbitant. Beef has been showing up maybe once every couple of weeks; a little more often lately since DSD doesn't eat fish and we're cooking bigger meals.
Like others here, we can swing the prices. I wonder about people who can't.
Well, it's rough to be sure. Kind of shocking. I actually don't mind beans and rice. In fact I LOVE them, so I don't think they are boring. Good thing! My area is a bit small and I haven't seen the Hispanic or Asian stores being significantly cheaper. The main thing I see is that the Mexican store will carry "Cheap cuts" and the grocery stores don't. American tastes seem to be a bit spoiled. I can't find a beef shank in any grocery store, but can in the Hispanic store.
Every once in awhile I see prices that surprise me, but for the most part, I shop loss leaders and spend the bulk of my grocery dollars at Grocery Outlet, which has very fair prices. Winco is highly praised by friends and family in Oregon, but there isn't one near me yet.
Every once in awhile I see prices that surprise me, but for the most part, I shop loss leaders and spend the bulk of my grocery dollars at Grocery Outlet, which has very fair prices. Winco is highly praised by friends and family in Oregon, but there isn't one near me yet.
Overall if I buy something I think is a bargain at Grocery Outlet, I will likely find it cheaper at Winco.
Overall if I buy something I think is a bargain at Grocery Outlet, I will likely find it cheaper at Winco.
Factoring in the cost of gas, I'm better off with a little less of a deal that's close to home. Love Winco's coconut coffee beans, though...
Move to NZ. We are subsidized less and charged 15% GST on top of it. Free range whole chicken, here? $14 *before* the tax.
But, you gotta eat, so ya pay for it. :)
I have sticker shock a lot at the grocery store and it does seem like food prices are up more than the 5 or 7 percent I saw predicted due to the drought. I'm just a single person household and only eat meat in small quantities. I can't imagine the food bill for a family with 2.5 kids eating pork chops, roasts or even burger every night like when I was a kid. What still seems cheap to me is highly processed food like crackers, chips, white bread, and cookies.
All considered, I still figure food is a relative bargain. We have fresh produce from all over the world readily available through out the seasons and it seems like at our mega supermarket meats are routinely on sale for what seems like low prices.
Food is readily available it's true. I don't know if I would call the price of meat a bargain. But there is plenty of food. Unfortunately the cheapest items are often the unhealthiest. And so many in poverty now a days really have to idea how to really cook from scratch.
The price of meat in the US is a bargain. Remember, meat producers are polluting the environment and not including the cost of clean up in the price of the product (government does.)
Also, all that grain they feed the animals? It's subsidized by the government. And it takes a lot of corn to raise a cow.
I'm with you, Tiam.
Over the past couple of years, I've really changed the way I shop, not that I have ever been careless or frivolous, just that I've had to become even more aware of sales/savings, and that's on top of applying an old-school approach to meal preparation, in addition to, keeping a supply of goods on hand so I'm not having to continually make supermarket dashes for this and that.
It's incredibly defeating when I add up what I spend (week-to-week), then examine what I actually take home in relation to dollars spent.
Originally posted by JaneV2.0.
Love Winco's coconut coffee beansOh my... I'm salivating just thinking about them.
Really fortunate that I taught myself to cook, after we married (did not learn much from my mom). Baking and cooking from scratch, has helped us so much, with the rise in food prices. One thing that helped us so much, was a small cookbook that I jotted down from years ago.. all just easy casserole recipes. And from that, I just adapted to use what I have on hand, for soups and casseroles. It really stretches into a few extra meals. I do agree that eating good food is just something special, that I want to continue. There is a connection to that and my culture. We like good food, we like to prepare it, enjoy it, celebrate with it. However, the way that I've cooked, has changed over the years to keep the budget in line.
Here's an interesting observation. I went to the community farmer's market yesterday. Came home with tomatoes, red potatoes, pears, oranges...I just flipped through our grocer's sale flyer and am pretty certain I paid the same amount, if not a bit more at the local farmer's market vs. the grocer. And the grocer supplies from local grocers, as well. Hmmm.. Still, I enjoy the local farmer's market, happy to support our local farmer's. With that said, it is something I'll be mindful of with certain purchases. Or will question them next time, as to how many # pounds are in their baskets so I'll know whether I'm getting the best price. And suppose another worthy point, is that many times they've just picked everything the day before market vs. the grocer having distribution time. Thought it was worthy of noting. Has anyone else found this to be the case for them?
The effects of the drought this summer will take a while to work through the system, but prices of all categories of food ARE going to go up, some significantly. At home, we both love to cook so made from scratch isn't an issue. We have a big pantry so shop loss leaders and stock up on all the basics when they go on sale. Our base line food budget is well below what many people spend by doing it that way. But of course we don't stop there... The savings from strategic buying immediately get spent on specialty products or in one of those cute little gourmet shops. We figure since we don't use crack it all evens out.
Gregg. That is hilarious.
I like a little brie and crackers with wine, now and then.. and will eat mush and hodge podge soup to make up the difference!
SteveinMN
10-29-12, 10:00am
And suppose another worthy point, is that many times they've just picked everything the day before market vs. the grocer having distribution time.
That reason alone is enough reason for me to pay a higher price at the farmer's market. I always see new crops at the farmer's market before I see them at the co-op (sometimes the same producers) and -- for local produce -- the co-op typically is ahead of the local conventional groceries. My experience also is that the produce I buy at the farmer's market keeps better, which tells me it has spent less time between being picked and being purchased.
Yes, I am in a weekly state of sticker shock when I do the weekly grocery shopping. We eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and we have one meal each of fish, chicken, and beef each week. We are able to afford it but I am retired and my DH will retire in another year and this constant increase in food prices is worrisome.
Really fortunate that I taught myself to cook, after we married (did not learn much from my mom). Baking and cooking from scratch, has helped us so much, with the rise in food prices. One thing that helped us so much, was a small cookbook that I jotted down from years ago.. all just easy casserole recipes. And from that, I just adapted to use what I have on hand, for soups and casseroles. It really stretches into a few extra meals. I do agree that eating good food is just something special, that I want to continue. There is a connection to that and my culture. We like good food, we like to prepare it, enjoy it, celebrate with it. However, the way that I've cooked, has changed over the years to keep the budget in line.
Here's an interesting observation. I went to the community farmer's market yesterday. Came home with tomatoes, red potatoes, pears, oranges...I just flipped through our grocer's sale flyer and am pretty certain I paid the same amount, if not a bit more at the local farmer's market vs. the grocer. And the grocer supplies from local grocers, as well. Hmmm.. Still, I enjoy the local farmer's market, happy to support our local farmer's. With that said, it is something I'll be mindful of with certain purchases. Or will question them next time, as to how many # pounds are in their baskets so I'll know whether I'm getting the best price. And suppose another worthy point, is that many times they've just picked everything the day before market vs. the grocer having distribution time. Thought it was worthy of noting. Has anyone else found this to be the case for them?
I do NOT save money buying from local suppliers. They are often 30 to 60% higher. Now, I'm not comparing organic to organic.
Wildflower
10-30-12, 5:18am
Really noticing the higher prices with my most recent trip to the grocery store. It was rather shocking actually....and we are small eaters, really. Just DH and me. I don't buy alot, no processed foods except for some nacho chips, no sodas, no junk food at all, but still the total bill caused me to gasp a little.
I like to bake alot for the holidays and really, it is going to cost a small fortune. I may need to think of something else to give to neighbors and friends this year....
Actually, Wildflower, baking is still probably one of the cheapest hobbies. Even if it triples in price, flour is cheap compared to almost anything else. A typical loaf of bread uses 1# of flour and will cost under $1.
I've noticed a big price increase at our local supermarket chain (Cub) and have not been there much in about 6 months. I used to shop loss leaders there, but now there aren't any that draw my attention. In the summer I buy produce at the farmers market, in the winter mostly at Costco and Aldi. (I don't buy much other than produce at Aldi, as there are too many artificial ingredients, too much sodium, etc. But produce is a great deal - pomegranates were 69 cents this week!) Prices at our local (pricey) natural foods store seem stable.
Regular old store brand, white, all purpose flour has been on sale here for $.78 for 5# for a couple weeks. With the USDA wheat harvest projections it could be quite a while till we see that again.
cattledog
10-30-12, 10:02am
I went shopping yesterday and milk just jumped 30 cents a gallon. I figured it would go up, but I thought the increase might be more gradual.
pinkytoe
10-30-12, 10:16am
We have changed the way we shop over the past few years - buying bulk grains, flour, beans, etc and as much fresh produce as I can afford. To me, meat and seafood have gone up the most; we have cut way back on that anyway. I stopped buying boxed cereal a long time ago but noticed it is way up there along with all the other heavily processed foods. I don't know why anyone can justify buying it anymore at $5 and $6 a box. We switched to whole oat groats which are very cheap. I end up going to several different places each week in my neighborhood in search of better prices and I stopped shopping at places like Whole Foods. Natural Grocers is my new mainstay for really fresh organic produce at a decent price - some local. I also shop at the ethnic groceries nearby which seem to have better prices and more interesting choices.
SteveinMN
10-30-12, 10:29am
I've noticed a big price increase at our local supermarket chain (Cub) and have not been there much in about 6 months. I used to shop loss leaders there, but now there aren't any that draw my attention.
A bit off-topic, Rosemary, I'm not entirely sure Cub is an accurate barometer for food prices anymore. For a "warehouse" chain, their prices are often higher than the other warehouse choices in town. Many times for organic, they're the same price or higher than the co-op. And last time I was in the Midway store, it looked a bit like a New Jersey supermarket pre-Sandy -- lots of empty shelves and the produce looked pretty haggard. I suspect SuperValu's financial problems may be having an effect. It's not the belwether it used to be.
I buy steel cut oats @ my local HFS down the road for .89 per pound. So much cheaper and healthier than the processed stuff--even the "healthy" processed cereal as extruded cereals spike the blood sugar.
Last January, I bought a bread machine for $7. at the thrift store. I used it for about 5 months and then the seal broke. I don't understand what caused this to happen but it's kind of a drag as I was really enjoying that machine and had saved quite a bit of money making my own bread. I don't know what would cause this...
Florence
10-30-12, 12:35pm
I buy steel cut oats @ my local HFS down the road for .89 per pound. So much cheaper and healthier than the processed stuff--even the "healthy" processed cereal as extruded cereals spike the blood sugar.
Last January, I bought a bread machine for $7. at the thrift store. I used it for about 5 months and then the seal broke. I don't understand what caused this to happen but it's kind of a drag as I was really enjoying that machine and had saved quite a bit of money making my own bread. I don't know what would cause this...
You don't have to have a bread machine to make your own bread. It really isn't hard at all to make it by hand. Honestly, if a kitchen-challenged person like me can make bread, anyone can!!
You don't have to have a bread machine to make your own bread. It really isn't hard at all to make it by hand. Honestly, if a kitchen-challenged person like me can make bread, anyone can!!
Oh, I know. The problem is will I? If it's too much effort, I won't bother. I just liked throwing all the stuff in, hitting the button and 2 hours later having fresh baked bread for pennies.
Bunny- google artisan bread in 5 minutes a day or no knead bread. I use this method without a bread maker, and it really couldn't be easier.
Bunny- google artisan bread in 5 minutes a day or no knead bread. I use this method without a bread maker, and it really couldn't be easier.
+1 We bake several times a week, and it takes almost no time at all once you get into the habit of it.
artisan bread in 5 minutes a day
DW is our baker (I'm a stove top guy). She loves this book and the system it teaches. The rest of us love the results.
I am being hit hard by the food prices myself. I can't believe the increase that I've been seeing. What I used to purchase for $40 is now costing me $70. Nothing processed. Very frustrating.
Natural Grocers is my new mainstay for really fresh organic produce at a decent price - some local.
Natural Grocers is my favorite, too. For such small stores they usually have almost everything I would want. And yes, I think their produce is about the freshest in my area. They often have some pretty darned good sales going, too!
I won't wine too much as it's kind of a dead horse, but the bare basics of family need have gone up much more than the government figures on inflation. Health care, food, and energy are all up a lot it seems to me. It's the things made overseas by cheap labor that distort the inflation figures. This includes clothes, which we all need (unless the bill of fare is kilts and no underwear). But also a lot of frivolous non-necessities.
I'd have to look it up for the details, but some politicians are proposing and an even more conservative estimate of inflation to help reduce cost increases with social security.
Wildflower
10-30-12, 5:21pm
Actually, Wildflower, baking is still probably one of the cheapest hobbies. Even if it triples in price, flour is cheap compared to almost anything else. A typical loaf of bread uses 1# of flour and will cost under $1.
I was talking about baking Holiday goodies. Of course, it's not the flour that is expensive, it's all the other ingredients that go into what I bake....
[QUOTE=artist;109283]I am being hit hard by the food prices myself. I can't believe the increase that I've been seeing. What I used to purchase for $40 is now costing me $70. Nothing processed. Very frustrating.[/QUOTE
that's what I'm seeing. It's really a huge hit. I don't know what will happen if the pubs hit foodstamps hard.
Maxamillion
10-31-12, 1:08am
My food stamps have already been cut in half over the last two years, even though my expenses and income haven't changed much. By the end of the month, I'm usually down to beans, rice, potatoes, and hot dogs. FWIW, I get $45 a month.
Today I went to the wharehouse style grocer but a poor head of romaine lettuce was 3 dollars. a half head of cabbage was .75 cents. a pint of honey was 6.00 dollars. Yikes! I spent 45 dollars and feel I got the raw end of the deal, only getting some extra shelf supplies like salad dressing/mayo/vanilla. Some cream and sour cream. a loaf of bread that cost 4 dollars! And I decided I'd like some coffee and that cost 6.00 dollars also! I was amazed at the cost. I need to sit down and do a serious menu planning with what foods I have around: Beans/rice/ broccoli, caulifower, potatoes, cabbage, peas, artichoke hearts and spinach and lots cheese. I really need to look at what I have as all I have and not go and spend another dime this week! Crazy!
I can make some minestrone to be sure and I like to have that on hand. I'll make bean dip with black beans that are in the crockpot, and black bean tacos. how about some twice baked potatoes. still thinking of what to make with the artichokes and spinach.
gimmethesimplelife
1-13-13, 3:55am
We have changed the way we shop over the past few years - buying bulk grains, flour, beans, etc and as much fresh produce as I can afford. To me, meat and seafood have gone up the most; we have cut way back on that anyway. I stopped buying boxed cereal a long time ago but noticed it is way up there along with all the other heavily processed foods. I don't know why anyone can justify buying it anymore at $5 and $6 a box. We switched to whole oat groats which are very cheap. I end up going to several different places each week in my neighborhood in search of better prices and I stopped shopping at places like Whole Foods. Natural Grocers is my new mainstay for really fresh organic produce at a decent price - some local. I also shop at the ethnic groceries nearby which seem to have better prices and more interesting choices.I shop the ethnic groceries, too. Here in Phoenix that would be the Hispanic supermarkets, and I think I may be getting spoiled, as I am getting three pounds of tomatoes for a dollar and five avocados for .99 quite often, along with cheap beans and rice. There is always to date something at very deep discount and this has sure helped me with food prices. I won't even think of shopping somewhere like Safeway as the price difference is like night and day. Rob
Rob ... Do you go Hispanic chains, or mom and pops? Can you recommend some in the downtown area?
We have several ethnic chain groceries here too and their produce and meat are quite a bit cheaper. I am finding I have to go to several different kinds of stores including farmer's markets to fill the pantry at a somewhat reasonable price. I keep a binder of monthly expenses and the grocery line item has gone up about 20% over the past two years. And my 2% raise last year just got canceled out by the payroll tax adjustment!!
Well, I definitely see a huge increase from even the last time I originally posted this thread. I am trying harder to pick up staples each time I shop to put into reserve. But for me, in my neck of the woods, none of the ethnic markets have proven to be cheaper. In fact they are higher by far. Even their bulk prices are higher than the warehouse chains. I go to them for things that are unavailable in other local stores, like fresh lard, cuts of meats that chains don't carry, and certain ethnic seasonings or sauces, but I'm better off buying my beans and rice at the Winco. I suspect ethnic markets may be cheaper in more urban areas, but I live in a rural area with only one midsize city in the entire region. Everything else is a small town separated by miles of forest land and mountains.
Might be fun to compare. Here is the weekly ad from our local chain "ethnic" grocery:
http://www.fiestamart.com/umbraco/storelocator/FiestaMartWeeklyPDFs/Store_25.pdf
Well, Yay! That IS fun. And it's amazing. Our ethnic markets here don't even have a weekly ad, nor do they carry the volume of products. Here, both the Asian and Hispanic ethnic stores are about the size of a 7/ll. So, I can see I don't have anything to compare. The main difference I see beside the HUGE selection is the meat seems more Americanized. The whole chicken is a great price. Can match that here. I didn't even see plain old pinto beans. The stores here are mostly for carrying some products from home that aren't in the local grocery stores and and the meat is specific to their style of cooking. One makes tamales, tacos and frescas and sells them from a stand outside. I could compare this ad more to a normal run of the mill grocery store here, and it seems to be on par with one of our warehouse stores.
gimmethesimplelife
1-15-13, 12:40am
Rob ... Do you go Hispanic chains, or mom and pops? Can you recommend some in the downtown area?Hi Tammy!
I go to Food City on 21st Place and McDowell, they always have at least some produce on deep discount and not a bad place to pick up beans and rice. I also go to Ranch Market on 16th Street and Roosevelt - great atmosphere, really takes you into over the top Mexico right when you enter. Good deals on produce but beware, produce is often close to ripe when you buy it here. And I also go to El Super on Thomas Road and 32nd Street, they have KILLER deals on produce every Wednesday and not to bad deals on other items in the store. Any places you go to I have not mentioned? Rob
My husband does most of our shopping. He has been to some if the ones you mentioned i think ... We've lived here 3 years and are still finding new places. Right now his fav is safwqay over by 7th ave a few blocks north if downtown. There's a food city a few blocks from mt work. I think its the first one you mentioned. We'll have to stop there again.
awakenedsoul
1-15-13, 12:10pm
I think the bulk shopping at Costco has really helped me. I'm still using up things I bought there months ago: chocolate chips that I just used in brownies, flour, salt, and yeast that I use for baking bread, dried fruit and nuts that help me keep my blood sugar balanced, etc. I belong to an organic co op and I only need to order from them once every 4-6 weeks now. The orchard and veggie garden have done better than I expected. I do splurge on raw cheese and raw milk. I like to support the farmers, and I know it's healthier. I've been making lemonade from my homegrown lemons instead of buying juice. I think I'll make some granola today with my stockpile ingredients. When I was in cc debt, I didn't have the cash to buy in bulk. It's been a huge shift for me, now that I can stock up on food with cash. Such a relief!
My biggest problem is finding fresh vegs and fruit--they not only cost more, they're not as nutritious and don't last as long. Also there are big gaps on the produce and other grocery shelves now, where there used to be more kinds of food.
I try to eat locally, but winter in Minnesota is not conducive to that. Pretty much everything is imported, though at least apples and pears can be cold-stored successfully. Some fruit types weather the trip better than others. One tactic I use is to stockpile frozen organic berries, peach slices, and melon chunks (and mango; love mango) when it's on sale during the summer and fall. It provides a nice break from endless apples, pears, and oranges and it's at least nutritionally- and taste-equivalent to anything I can reasonably purchase during the winter.
awakenedsoul
1-16-13, 3:30pm
I try to eat locally, but winter in Minnesota is not conducive to that. Pretty much everything is imported, though at least apples and pears can be cold-stored successfully. Some fruit types weather the trip better than others. One tactic I use is to stockpile frozen organic berries, peach slices, and melon chunks (and mango; love mango) when it's on sale during the summer and fall. It provides a nice break from endless apples, pears, and oranges and it's at least nutritionally- and taste-equivalent to anything I can reasonably purchase during the winter.
Oh, that's a great idea. I have some persimmons that I froze. This year was one of my best crops. I'll have to plant extra melons this year and freeze them. I put in some berry bushes last year, but I think it will be a while before I have enough to freeze.
Tussiemussies
1-16-13, 3:54pm
Last night we went to Walmart and every item we bought was $4.00 -- $5.00. I was shocked! There is nowhere to buy anything cheap anymore...
It might not fit into 'eating local' but for myself, stocking up on broths, rice, pastas, mayo, salad dressing and toilet paper and soap items seems helpful for hedging on prices so I do have more money available for fresh foods.
My biggest problem is finding fresh vegs and fruit--they not only cost more, they're not as nutritious and don't last as long. Also there are big gaps on the produce and other grocery shelves now, where there used to be more kinds of food.
This time of year I limit most of my fresh to apples, onions, romaine, potatoes, broccoli,carrot cauliflower, greens and garlic. Most of that is local enough I hope, till I can grow something soon.
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