Foragers

[moribundman]

Sad to see an increasing number of old people using the produce section as an impromptu buffet bar. I suppose cat food has gotten too costly.

Some price increases:

One small kale cost last year $1.19. Now an even smaller kale costs $1.59.
A dozen eggs was 99 cents last year, now it's up to $1.79.
A gallon milk was $2.99 last year, but costs now $4.09.
A bunch of celery was 79 cents last year. Now it's $1.79.
One cauliflower was 99 cents, now it's $2.99.
I see 1 quart juice bottles that cost over $10 now!

Then they try to bait you with discounts if you buy bulk. Buy two gallons of milk for $6.09. You save about $2. Of course, fresh milk doesn't last long, and you'll be guzzling more milk to prevent it from going bad. Then you have to buy more!

On sale prices this year are often higher now than the regular prices were last year.

Keep in mind these increases have happened gradually at a noticeably ever faster rate since last year when gas was still a lot cheaper than it is now. I seriously believe that food prices could easily double or triple from what they are now within just one or two years. The increase of food cost/gas cost is also disproportionate.

 

[Shannow]

Yep, increases everywhere.

Tasty cheese now $4 for 250g.
Bread $4/loaf
Milk $2+/litre
Potatoes $4/kilo
Broccoli $4/kilo.
Chook (whole) $4.50/kilo.
Rump steak $22/kilo.
Watermelon is currently 99c/kilo...lucky the kids like it.

Apparently Oz prices are up nearly 70% over the last 4 years, but the rate seems to be increasing

 

[Pablo]

Makes the farmer's market look even better....seems like their prices have not gone up as much....organic greens are plentiful and they don't go off in a day or two. I did notice it was more crowded today.

 

[Shannow]

Pablo,
I sort of noticed the same thing at the supermarket yesterday.

the marginal cost of organic is now narrowed significantly. Organic carrots (after mori describing poison carrots), apples, cheese and beer.

 

[moribundman]

My local supermarket has a separate section with produce from local farmers. That's actually a trend with supermarkets here Some of the stuff is labeled "organic," and it is competitively priced with the other organic stuff in the regular produce section.

As for farmers' (it's more than one farmer, ferchrissakes!) markets, there is one tiny one that really doesn't offer a full selection a few miles from where I live every Sunday. Then there is one big farmers' market downtown on the weekend, and going there is out of the question. Think a one 50 minute drive for 7 miles, impossible parking (or terribly crowded trains that take 2 hours). Then there is one more farmers' market, but it's pretty roachy. The really good farmers' markets are in Marin, and going there just to shop is cost prohibitive (40 miles driving, partially in 100°F heat, soon a $6 bridge toll), unless I'm in the area anyway. The other option is shopping at farms going south, but again, it's far and do-able only when I'm passing through.

Going to a farmers' market only once a week doesn't cut it anyway, because much of the stuff is good less than a week. I buy from farmers' markets when possible, otherwise I buy at local independent grocery shops or at I pick the better stuff from the supermarket. At least one of the suppliers of the supermarket I've also seen at the farmers' market.

Anyway, the cost of food will make the cost of gas seem relatively insignificant in the not so far future. And the cost of water will eclipse the cost of food. That's my prediction.

PS: organic carots: $1.99 a small bunch (about 1/2 lbs), regular carots: 79 cents per lbs.