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Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: Miss Philicia on March 09, 2008, 11:16:01 am

Title: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 09, 2008, 11:16:01 am
Good to read this so I know I'm not imagining things.  I feel like every time I go to the grocery store that I'm paying $20 more for the normal amount I buy per trip.  When you're on a fixed income like I am you REALLY feel this.

complete article (http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/articles/2008/03/09/surging_costs_of_groceries_hit_home/)

Surging costs of groceries hit home; Bread, eggs, milk prices up sharply

Globe Staff / March 9, 2008
American families, already pinched by soaring energy costs, are taking another big hit to household budgets as food prices increase at the fastest rate since 1990.

After nearly two decades of low food inflation, prices for staples such as bread, milk, eggs, and flour are rising sharply, surging in the past year at double-digit rates, according to the Labor Department. Milk prices, for example, increased 26 percent over the year. Egg prices jumped 40 percent.

Escalating food costs could present a greater problem than soaring oil prices for the national economy because the average household spends three times as much for food as for gasoline. Food accounts for about 13 percent of household spending compared with about 4 percent for gas.

Rising food prices can be particularly corrosive to consumer confidence because people are so frequently exposed to the cost increases. "It's the biggest risk we face economically, and it might be the thing that does us in," said Rich Yamarone, director of economic research at Argus Research Corp. in New York. "There's nothing really worse than having a job, making money, and forking most of it over just so you can have the same amount of food. You're running in place, and it really weighs on you."

As with energy, higher food costs cut into discretionary income that buys everything from cars to computers to movie tickets and drives the consumer-based US economy. Falling home values and a faltering stock market have battered consumer confidence, spurring a retrenchment in spending that is contributing to recent job losses and pulling the economy toward recession.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: aztecan on March 09, 2008, 11:37:23 am
OK, so its not just me imagining things.

I have just about stopped buying luxury items such as red meat and cheese.

I guess it will help me stick with my low-cholesterol diet.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: dgr20002 on March 09, 2008, 12:00:50 pm
It's just going to get worse. As the price of oil goes up so will the cost of food. Just about everything is moved on trucks and diesel is so much more expensive than gasoline. Watch for sales and use coupons to stock up on some things.  Usually the Sunday paper has lots of coupons that make the cost of the paper worth the $1.50. Try to shop at places that give double and triple coupon values too. There is plenty you can do to save on food but it takes a little work.

David
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: pozguy75 on March 09, 2008, 12:16:01 pm
Beans and rice...a girls best friend...
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: ademas on March 09, 2008, 12:26:08 pm
I'm definitely feeling the pinch...and most of my shopping involves sales and coupons already.

Gas at the local budget station was $3.43/gal yesterday--just under $35 to fill my sub-compact.

Rent increases are due May 1st.  That's going to be another $100 per month.  They blame the mortgage crisis for the increase in demand for rentals.

Thank goodness for our Dear Leader.  It was such a relief to hear that our economy is in good shape, and that we're just having a slow month...
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 09, 2008, 12:46:46 pm
Thank goodness I don't own a car... hence no gas purchases.  It's all about urban living.  Plus I get some good exercise lugging my increasingly expensive bags of groceries home back 5 blocks and up 4 flights of stairs.  I own one of those carts like old ladies use, but I never use it except for laundry day.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: dgr20002 on March 09, 2008, 01:00:55 pm
I want one of these...



[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 09, 2008, 01:08:58 pm
I hates clippin' dem coupons, but don'tcha know I been doin' it.  And even the coupons have been suckin' lately.

"Save 50 cents when you buy 5" and that BS.  Whoop de doo.

Heh...yeah.  Our fearless leader.  Loved that bit about, "I wasn't aware about the gas prices going up so much."

Here's a little challenge:  Name one area - just ONE - that has improved under dipshit's leadership.

Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 09, 2008, 01:12:44 pm

Here's a little challenge:  Name one area - just ONE - that has improved under dipshit's leadership.


Condi has much better taste in clothing than Madelaine Albright.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: jammerz on March 09, 2008, 01:15:25 pm
Here's a little challenge:  Name one area - just ONE - that has improved under dipshit's leadership.



How about the fact that there has not been another 9/11 like attack on the United States? How does that sound for success?

Or maybe another 3000+ people dead would make you happy?
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: ademas on March 09, 2008, 01:21:44 pm
(http://www.citynoise.org/upload/8292.jpg)
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: jammerz on March 09, 2008, 01:24:48 pm
Oh yeah, its live bait because I am happy the US has not had another terrorist attack. Yeah, thats so inflammatory.  ::)
Maybe I really care about the security and safety of the citizens of my countries. Maybe I am not a traitor who wants to sell intelligence secrets to the terrorists. Maybe you don't understand.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: dgr20002 on March 09, 2008, 01:25:25 pm
WOW. So I guess we can buy some bait and catch our own food with it. Very clever.

David
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 09, 2008, 01:27:09 pm

Or maybe another 3000+ people dead would make you happy?

No, it wouldn't.  Or should I say - it hasn't.  Since we've lost those thousands since in Iraq.  

But, hey...I'm with ya.  Let's give Georgie his due.  Dinosaurs HAVE NOT reclaimed domination of the earth...so let's give W the credit for that.  Mount St. Helens has NOT erupted during his tenure, so of course we have W to thank for that as well.  An asteroid has NOT crashed into the earth killing millions, so again W.  You're right.  What was I thinking?
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: jammerz on March 09, 2008, 01:28:49 pm
those are natural disasters, not man made events. I fail to see the connection.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 09, 2008, 01:38:42 pm
those are natural disasters, not man made events. I fail to see the connection.

i'm sure it's not the only connection you fail to make.  the point is that you are giving credit for non-events, things that haven't happened.  that's just plain stupid.  you have no way of knowing how many such things absolutely would have happened absent W's watch.  but i understand that it's about all that you can possibly cling to given that everything else is in such rampant disarray. 

now if you'll excuse me, i'm off to eat one hell of an expensive cheeseburger (to return to topic here).  i intend to enjoy it without being annoyed by trivial minds.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: jammerz on March 09, 2008, 01:43:35 pm
He PREVENTED IT. No there is no way to tell the future, but he is tough on terror. Liberals want us to hug the terrorists and take away our guns. Terrorists do not communicate effectively which is why they have to result to terror to get their points across. I bet if there was another attack you would be blaming it on Bush. Stop getting your information from Marxist news sources and read something a little less biased.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 09, 2008, 01:51:10 pm
Stop getting your information from Marxist news sources and read something a little less biased.

Boy....you're one tough Customer, aren't ya?
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Assurbanipal on March 09, 2008, 01:55:22 pm
How about the fact that there has not been another 9/11 like attack on the United States? How does that sound for success?

Or maybe another 3000+ people dead would make you happy?

Excuse me, but 9/11 happened while George Bush was President.  That an attack took place on his watch and was not prevented like the Y2K LA airport bombing hardly constitutes a signal measure of success.  ***

Haven't you noticed that the most anti-Bush part of the country is where 9/11 happened?

Assurbanipal

Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: BT65 on March 09, 2008, 02:14:54 pm
Boy....you're one tough Customer, aren't ya?

I was just going to say, this all sounds very familiar.......

*waiting for the links to come out*
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 09, 2008, 02:19:25 pm
My thread has been destroyed.

*sigh*
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: BT65 on March 09, 2008, 02:21:23 pm
Well, back to the subject, I know I've been hitting more food banks lately.  Now I plan my grocery list around what I get from them (food banks).
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: shadowfluid on March 09, 2008, 02:23:30 pm
Beans and rice...a girls best friend...
thank you...shoot
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 09, 2008, 02:27:37 pm
thank you...shoot

once i've had a mess of beans, i'm nobody's friend.   :'(
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: dgr20002 on March 09, 2008, 02:31:07 pm
I know this is a bit early but on cow appreciation day you can go into a Chick Fil-A and get a free meal if you dress as a cow. Here is the info. so you can get busy with your costume.

http://www.chick-fil-a.com/downloads/CFA_CAD_1pgr.pdf

David
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 09, 2008, 02:35:11 pm
I once dressed as a cow for Halloween.  Had my udders filled with Pina Colada mix so people could milk me.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 09, 2008, 02:37:20 pm
I once dressed as a cow for Halloween.  Had my udders filled with Pina Colada mix so people could milk me.

god, you make it too easy...
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 09, 2008, 02:40:21 pm
I'm going to start eating more chicken.  I eat too much red meat as it is, splurging weekly on expensive large rib eye steaks.  I just can't help it.  My monthly grocery bills are fairly horrendous.  I easily spend $50/month just on coffee when I indulge my current fetish for organic fair trade whole beans.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: dgr20002 on March 09, 2008, 02:41:16 pm
Thunter I would be udderly disapointed then if you don't go take advantage of that offer  :o

David
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: BT65 on March 09, 2008, 02:44:49 pm
I once dressed as a cow for Halloween.  Had my udders filled with Pina Colada mix so people could milk me.

You're nothing but a tease and you know it. :-*
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 09, 2008, 02:47:42 pm
I'm going to start eating more chicken.  I eat too much red meat as it is, splurging weekly on expensive large rib eye steaks.  I just can't help it.  My monthly grocery bills are fairly horrendous.  I easily spend $50/month just on coffee when I indulge my current fetish for organic fair trade whole beans.

god, coffee is so expensive and I'm so addicted that I've resorted to "borrowing" my beans from work. Luckily they purchase high quality for our customers. I can't drink anything but freshly ground.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 09, 2008, 02:51:05 pm
god, you make it too easy...

it should be noted that i wore an angry expression on my face (i was supposed to be "mad cow").  as the evening wore on and i got increasingly buzzed, that part of the get up fell by the wayside.  then i was just plain "cow".
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 09, 2008, 02:55:04 pm
it should be noted that i wore an angry expression on my face (i was supposed to be "mad cow").  as the evening wore on and i got increasingly buzzed, that part of the get up fell by the wayside.  then i was just plain "cow".

by the end of the evening and your pants were down around your ankles, it was

"How now brown cow?"
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 09, 2008, 02:59:06 pm
by the end of the evening and your pants were down around your ankles, it was

"How now brown cow?"

of course it was.  my long-standing slutty reputation was at steak.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 09, 2008, 03:04:33 pm
I can't drink anything but freshly ground.

elitist
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 09, 2008, 03:06:41 pm
elitist

without a doubt
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: jammerz on March 09, 2008, 03:06:56 pm
of course it was.  my long-standing slutty reputation was at steak.


stake, turncoathunter34
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 09, 2008, 03:08:57 pm

stake, turncoathunter34


um...."cow"...."steak".  get it?

(she's a quick one, that jammerz)
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Snowangel on March 09, 2008, 03:19:15 pm
Geez...even I got the "steak" comment  :-\

I totally agree with you, philly!

I could easily go through 2 gallons of milk a day and it is nothing for us to use a loaf of bread a day(which is over $10 bucks).  I always buy ground turkey instead of ground beef.  I hate when the coupons are .50 off when you buy 3, what a deal.

Snow
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: dgr20002 on March 09, 2008, 03:23:14 pm
I know we are a thrifty lot but just in case you have not seen this try coupons.com  you can put in your zip code to get some coupons tailored to your area.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 09, 2008, 03:29:27 pm
you can put in your zip code to get some coupons tailored to your area.


which will probably leave me wth nifty deals on fertilizer, bait and chicken feed.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: dgr20002 on March 09, 2008, 03:32:10 pm
Aren't you in Georgia?  Peanuts man. PEANUTS.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: dgr20002 on March 09, 2008, 04:32:11 pm
Here is another free offer. This one from Arby's for a medium curly fry, tomorrow March 10th only at participating Arbys.

http://www.arbys.com/admin_upload/press_rlse/MMMediaAlert%20ks(2).pdf
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 09, 2008, 05:32:01 pm
Don't eat at Arby's if you're on Kaletra.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: dgr20002 on March 09, 2008, 05:40:39 pm
I am not on Kaletra but I am interested in knowing why Arby's would adversly affect those on Kaletra.

David
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 09, 2008, 05:45:04 pm
Those Beef 'N' Cheddar combos are a guaranteed Explosive D Experience® that can even break through a 10mg imodium barrier, IMHO.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 09, 2008, 05:46:03 pm
What about "White Castles?" You don't have to be taking any medication.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 09, 2008, 05:47:34 pm
Oh girl... White Castle is dear to my heart.  I used to live 3 blocks from one in Brooklyn, and sometimes I'd still go for the #2 combo even during a Diarrhea Day.  I swear those fluffy burgers go through your body in about 10 minutes.

Plus I adore a fast food place that has bullet proof windows and a little hole where you order your food at the counter.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: dgr20002 on March 09, 2008, 05:53:04 pm
I start with the beef and cheddar then I have a bacon beef and cheddar and then a super roast beef sammich and a reuben to go. No THATS living.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 09, 2008, 05:55:29 pm
I just go to the Chinese Buffet and eat all I want.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Jeff G on March 09, 2008, 06:19:37 pm
   Last night I thought I was having dinner at a friends house, turns out we out to eat . Two tiny pieces of seabass and 33 $ later I said my goodbye's and went to Krystal's for some sliders. Krystal's is our version of white castle in the south.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: minismom on March 09, 2008, 06:41:02 pm
Our grocery bill is already INSANE - running us about $300 / wk.  That's no chips, no "convienience" foods, no snacks (I make 'em from scratch).  We go through 8 gallons of milk, 10 loaves of bread, and 1 1/2 dozen eggs on average per week.  My parents plant a mega garden in the summer and "can" it all, so we don't have to buy veggies during the winter.  This year, we're going to plant a container garden on our front porch to add to it.  It's getting harder and harder to make that dollar stretch.

Oh, and the gas: we live 23 miles from the cheapest grocery store - Walmart, so we get a double whammy.

Mum
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: J.R.E. on March 09, 2008, 08:28:58 pm


Hell yes, food prices are going up. More coupon clipping...


Ray
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: lucas clay on March 09, 2008, 08:52:20 pm
Those Beef 'N' Cheddar combos are a guaranteed Explosive D Experience® that can even break through a 10mg imodium barrier, IMHO.

lmao ;D

                                       Lucas
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: fearless on March 09, 2008, 08:59:31 pm
Don't worry, it's a worldwide crisis with no end in sight in the short term.

Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 10, 2008, 08:57:22 am
Another worry: This war has been particularly hard on the economy because it led to a spike in oil prices. Before the 2003 invasion, oil cost less than $25 a barrel, and futures markets expected it to remain around there. (Yes, China and India were growing by leaps and bounds, but cheap supplies from the Middle East were expected to meet their demands.) The war changed that equation, and oil prices recently topped $100 per barrel.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: mjmel on March 10, 2008, 02:08:28 pm
In US: Factor in about $4.50/gal (median) for a gallon of gas by summer. They always hike the prices just in time for family vacation time. This year they will stick it to us really good.

Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: aztecan on March 10, 2008, 02:45:36 pm
I was used to paying $5 and $6 for a one-pound loaf of bread, or the equivalent for the ingredients to make it myself, which is what I usually opt to do.

But the cost of so much is getting way out of hand. Even tofu is getting expensive!

This is one reason I garden. I can grow many things that will augment my meager food budget and still eat healthily.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Grasshopper on March 10, 2008, 03:04:28 pm
I was used to paying $5 and $6 for a one-pound loaf of bread,

I am not sure what you guys call a loaf of bread. What WE call a loaf of bread here costs on average € 1,25.
The cheapest white bread costs approx € 0,75 and the more fancy ones up to € 1,50.

Regular unleaded fuel...brace yourselves: € 1,53 a litre
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: BT65 on March 10, 2008, 03:46:08 pm
Grasshopper, sorry, I don't know how to do money conversions.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: ademas on March 10, 2008, 03:51:12 pm
Grasshopper, sorry, I don't know how to do money conversions.

Unless I'm mistaken, it works out to US$3,080,502 per gallon.
 :P

(or maybe US$11.64 per gallon...)
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Queen Tokelove on March 10, 2008, 03:57:21 pm
I hate doing the coupon thing but my roomie does it. Even the places here known for cheaper meats and stuff has gone up. I am thinking of going to a meat wholesaler and buy stuff by the box. I think I may save that way. But my roomie said it too, as long as gas goes up so will the food, it sucks but the funny thing I notice is that if you get food stamps those don't seem to go up due to the cost of food going up.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 10, 2008, 04:02:12 pm
I doubt anybody hates coupons more than me, but you can bet I'm doing it.  It's a matter of total necessity now.  I cannot afford otherwise, and I have to save every dollar and make it stretch because I anticipate it only getting worse for the foreseeable future.

Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Grasshopper on March 10, 2008, 04:06:08 pm
Grasshopper, sorry, I don't know how to do money conversions.

1 € = approx $ 1,45
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Grasshopper on March 10, 2008, 04:10:10 pm
Unless I'm mistaken, it works out to US$3,080,502 per gallon.
 :P

(or maybe US$11.64 per gallon...)

God forbid $11,64.....I think it's more like $8,40  ;-)
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: marc11864 on March 10, 2008, 04:10:57 pm
Let them eat cake!

                    George Bush
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 10, 2008, 04:13:44 pm
Let them eat cake!

                    George Bush


Basically, yes.  That was the sentiment amongst the populace here in these parts.  People just couldn't believe how far up his ass his head was.  And mind you all, these are the sticks here.  This is republican Bush country for the most part.  Baptist churches dotting every bend.  The liberal mo is few and far between.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: ademas on March 10, 2008, 04:15:02 pm
God forbid $11,64.....I think it's more like $8,40  ;-)

Well that's better...not much, but better!

(I was converting GBP's--not Euros--my bad.)
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 10, 2008, 04:28:51 pm

Basically, yes.  That was the sentiment amongst the populace here in these parts.  People just couldn't believe how far up his ass his head was.  And mind you all, these are the sticks here.  This is republican Bush country for the most part.  Baptist churches dotting every bend.  The liberal mo is few and far between.

Tim, I would save some of that so you have something to throw at Obama if he makes it to the oval office. He's a devoted Muslim.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Grasshopper on March 10, 2008, 04:35:59 pm
Well that's better...not much, but better!

(I was converting GBP's--not Euros--my bad.)

However I don't pay those prices for fuel.
My car drives on LPG (Liquid Pertoleum Gas), I get the same mileage as with unleaded, but much cheaper € 0,53 per litre (last summer I used pay € 0,42    :'(  )
Will be trading our current car in summer for the newest model and again on LPG.

Don't you guys have LPG in the USA ?

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 10, 2008, 04:46:22 pm
Grasshopper, sorry, I don't know how to do money conversions.

If you type "money conversion" into google God will smile upon you.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: aztecan on March 10, 2008, 05:30:49 pm
Hey Grasshopper,

The loaf of bread I am talking about is about nine inches long (about 22.5 centimeters) and weighs about one pound (453 grams). I have food intolerances so my bread is not made with wheat, oats, barley or rye, which is why it costs more.

I am going to expand the garden this year. I may as well share with others, since I enjoy doing it anyway.

Nothing like fresh ears of sweet corn and other goodies in the summer - and in the freezer.

HUGS,

Mark

However I don't pay those prices for fuel.
My car drives on LPG (Liquid Pertoleum Gas), I get the same mileage as with unleaded, but much cheaper € 0,53 per litre (last summer I used pay € 0,42    :'(  )
Will be trading our current car in summer for the newest model and again on LPG.

Don't you guys have LPG in the USA ?

There  was a push to use CNG (compressed natural gas), but it costs more than gasoline and there was no infrastructure to support it. So, to answer your question, no, there isn't.

Hybrids may be the next big thing, We'll see.

Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: poz1970 on March 10, 2008, 05:34:22 pm
Do you grow pumpkins? pumpkin soup is sooooo yummy :-)


J
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: aztecan on March 10, 2008, 05:49:55 pm
Do you grow pumpkins? pumpkin soup is sooooo yummy :-)


J

Oh yes. I love pumpkin soup - and growing pumpkins.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Snowangel on March 10, 2008, 06:32:17 pm
Pumpkin soup?  Sounds interesting.  Whats in it besides pumpkins?
Snow
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Matty the Damned on March 10, 2008, 06:39:01 pm
Pumpkin soup?  Sounds interesting.  Whats in it besides pumpkins?
Snow


It varies. Usually a combination of pumpkin + onion + potato + chicken or vegetable stock. The potato gives a lovely glossy appearance and more substantial texture.

MtD
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Snowangel on March 10, 2008, 07:51:39 pm
Cool, thanks, MtD.  We will have to try it.
Snow
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Queen Tokelove on March 10, 2008, 08:06:08 pm
Pumpkin soup? That doesn't sound too good but I sure would love the pumpkin seeds. Throw those bad boys in the oven with a lil salt, instant munchie food. Uh, Mark, how about shipping me some ears of corn...
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Winiroo on March 10, 2008, 09:20:55 pm
I looked at my online statement a minute ago. They have a section that tells you where your money went.
In January I spent $503.61 on groceries in February I spent $617.02.

$113.41 more in one month is pretty drastic considering I haven't been buying more than usual or better than usual.

Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: poz1970 on March 10, 2008, 09:37:44 pm
Pumpkin soup? That doesn't sound too good but I sure would love the pumpkin seeds. Throw those bad boys in the oven with a lil salt, instant munchie food. Uh, Mark, how about shipping me some ears of corn...

Its great in Winter, with a nice chunky bread... our local positive living centre, (that has friday lunches for poz/affected) makes it nearly all winter, its fantastic :-D and we're encouraged to take leftovers (yummo)


J
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: northernguy on March 11, 2008, 12:00:14 am
Don't worry, it's a worldwide crisis with no end in sight in the short term.



Actually not really.  Prices have barely risen in Canada.  Its hitting the USA far harder since the fool in the White House has let the dollar plummet like a stone as investors see the US deficit spinning out of control thanks to stupid endeavours like Iraq.  Add to that the ethanol fiasco sucking up crops, lax financial oversight of the mortgage market leading to the subprime debacle and you have a perfect storm for the USofA.  I wonder how massive the protests in the street would have been in 2000 had people had a foretaste of what a disaster Bush would be?  This is what you get for not standing up for democracy.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: fearless on March 11, 2008, 12:43:07 am
Actually not really. 

Actually, yes really. Except for Canada apparantely.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/10/food.unitednations (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/10/food.unitednations)

The UN's World Food Programme raised the alarm last month when it warned that it would soon not be able to afford to feed millions of people in poor countries because of a 40% increase in food prices.

That, along with rising energy prices, has sparked panic around the world that global inflation may be set to rise. The surge in food prices is being put down to increases in demand for foodstuffs for cattle in the face of surging meat demand in China and India, the increasing use of biofuels and climate change.

http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2104849.0.2008_the_year_of_global_food_crisis.php (http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2104849.0.2008_the_year_of_global_food_crisis.php)

The bank points out that global food prices have risen by 75% since 2000, while wheat prices have increased by 200%. The cost of other staples such as rice and soya bean have also hit record highs, while corn is at its most expensive in 12 years.

The increasing cost of grains is also pushing up the price of meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products. And there is every likelihood prices will continue their relentless rise, according to expert predictions by the UN and developed countries.

High prices have already prompted a string of food protests around the world, with tortilla riots in Mexico, disputes over food rationing in West Bengal and protests over grain prices in Senegal, Mauritania and other parts of Africa. In Yemen, children have marched to highlight their hunger, while in London last week hundreds of pig farmers protested outside Downing Street.

Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 11, 2008, 06:01:10 am
The bank points out that global food prices have risen by 75% since 2000, while wheat prices have increased by 200%. The cost of other staples such as rice and soya bean have also hit record highs, while corn is at its most expensive in 12 years.

Stevie, it would have been nice if they would have said who is actually making the profits on the price increases. So far it hasn't been the farmer that produces the grain. It use to cost a farmer 10 cents a bushel to have grain hauled to the river just last year, to over 25 cents a bushel this year just to cover the cost of fuel increases. The farmer isn't making the money and the truckers sure aren't making it. The middle men are the ones that are making a killing. As for the corn being used to make ethanol, it is not the same corn that is used for human consumption and cannot be blamed for the increases.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 11, 2008, 08:59:46 am


http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/articles/2008/03/09/surging_costs_of_groceries_hit_home/
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: fearless on March 11, 2008, 07:26:14 pm
Couldn't agree with you more Rod. The consumer gets screwed, the farmer seems to get screwed, someone is pocketing the profits.

I know nothing about the ethanol debate. We don't have a big bio fuel industry in Aus nor do we grow that much corn.

I guess my point is that, except for Canada, it is a worldwide phenomina and likely to continue. I did read something somewhere that one of the many factors is the growing affluence in India and China. Consumption of beef per capita has more than doubled in 10 years and it takes 8kg of grain to produce 1kg of beef - when you are talking a combined India/China population of more than 2 billion the stress on grain supplies is mind boggling. The drought in Aus over the last 7 years has added to the problem, especially for wheat as we are one of the world's largest exporter of wheat.

As time goes on, more and more people are going to start to grow as much of their own as they can - especially in the US and Aus where people tend to have backyards big enough to support a decent sized vege garden.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: AlanBama on March 11, 2008, 07:31:43 pm
It seems that prices on EVERYTHING are creeping upwards, reflective of the ever-increasing cost of gasoline.

What does gas cost where you live?  Ours went up 5 cents yesterday, it is now $3.19 for regular.    I may have to buy a bicycle.

 >:(
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: fearless on March 11, 2008, 07:38:35 pm
A$1.45 a litre, or about A$5.50 a gallon. That is about $5.00 US a gallon.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: aupointillimite on March 11, 2008, 07:57:14 pm
Thank That Deity I Don't Believe In that I don't own a car.

Did Bush really say that he wasn't aware of gas prices going up?

Who's advising this man?  A retarded Rasputin and a drunk 6 year old?

I'm surprised I didn't hear about that, since I get my news from those well-known Marxist-Leninists at the BBC.

If you listen to the BBC World News intro music backwards, you'll hear the Internationale.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: dgr20002 on March 11, 2008, 09:51:31 pm
Another freebie (B1G1F) for you Meat Heads at Einstein Bagels. Hurry ends 3/17.

http://www.metsource.com/einstein/3088_EBBPastrami3Spicy/
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: BT65 on March 11, 2008, 09:54:23 pm
What does gas cost where you live?  Ours went up 5 cents yesterday, it is now $3.19 for regular.    I may have to buy a bicycle.

 >:(

Alan, gas here today was $3.28 a gallon. 
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: dgr20002 on March 12, 2008, 07:24:25 pm
Gee. I only paid $3.21 for regular unleaded  :P
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 12, 2008, 07:44:40 pm
I paid nothing for gay today.  Oh... we have this here:

http://www.phillycarshare.org/

but then we're all libtards here in Philly (but I need to get a PA driving license)
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: fearless on March 12, 2008, 11:14:46 pm
me no drive either.
it's a 4 km walk each way to and from work, and 6.5 km to the beach and it is free, free, free
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 13, 2008, 05:27:27 am
A loaf of bread here is 1.69
Gas on Monday for reg. unleaded was 3.09 gal. and last night it rose to 3.39 gal.
Milk 3.89 gal.

The higher the fuel prices go, the more it's going to cost everyone for food and necessity items. Everyone buy plenty of KY because the screwing the working class is going to get is just in its beginning stages. I get enough telephone books so I'll have plenty of toilet paper on hand.

I don't know if in your local newspapers anyone else notices that every time the price of gasoline goes up the more drive offs there are at the gas pumps. Our gas stations are starting to look like they are competition with the UK for CCTV honors. Not to say that the note on the pumps, "Please Pay Before Pumping" are in abundance.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: BT65 on March 13, 2008, 08:22:16 am
Gas yesterday was $3.58 a gallon for regular unleaded.  Yes, there are a lot of drive-offs here also, Roddles.  Things just keep going from bad to worse.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Jeff G on March 13, 2008, 09:26:19 am
 Every thing has gone up. Have you noticed how much a couple of chicken breast cost these days.
 As far a gas goes, I have a double whammy , gas for the car and I heat my home with propane. Its now down to allot of rice to eat and the car stays in the drive way. 
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Ann on March 13, 2008, 10:08:45 am
Just curious....

Here on The Rock, I pay £0.53 for a PINT of milk - with today's exchange rate that equals $1.08. There are eight pints in a gallon, so that would be $8.64 a gallon for milk.

A loaf of bread costs me £1.29, which is $2.63.

How do we compare?

Ann
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 13, 2008, 10:39:59 am
Get a cow and sow some wheat. What are your gas prices like there Ann?
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Snowangel on March 13, 2008, 11:40:53 am
Hi Ann-
In Mass, you can get a good loaf of bread for around $2.30, the gallons of milk have been flucuating and right now are at $3.89 but almost a month ago, they were $4.59.
Snow
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: northernguy on March 13, 2008, 12:06:39 pm
Actually, yes really. Except for Canada apparantely...

Canada's the land inflation forgot.  I guess we're truly "the lucky country" ;)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080312.wrinflation13/BNStory/energy/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080312.wrinflation13

I guess there is something to be said for being one of the lucky 31 million folks sitting on the world's 2nd largest oil reserves.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Winiroo on March 13, 2008, 12:26:24 pm
Gas fluctuates between $3.10 and $3.25 per gallon regular unleaded here.
A loaf of bread that isn't store brand can be anywhere between two and three dollars.
Store brand or cheap milk is around $3.85 per gallon.

I don't think I have seen any gas stations that are not pay at the pump or pay before you pump around here.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 15, 2008, 01:55:44 pm
Grocery Inflation: The New York Times reports that the price of food is surging:
Government figures released Friday showed that grocery costs had jumped 5.1 percent in 12 months, the latest in a string of increases. In fact, the nation is undergoing its worst grocery inflation since the early 1990s.
With a few exceptions, nearly every grocery category measured by the Labor Department, which compiles the official inflation numbers, has increased in the last year. Milk is up 17 percent, as are dried beans, peas and lentils. Cheese is up 15 percent, rice and pasta 13 percent, and bread 12 percent.
No food product has gone up as much as eggs, jumping 25 percent since February 2007 and 62 percent in the last two years.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: 31diver on March 15, 2008, 03:39:35 pm
Actually, a big reason for the escalating food costs is that a huge amount of corn is being converted into Ethanol, which is the biggest sham in the history of fossil fuels. I will admit I am Republican, ok, put the pitchforks down, but there is a lot of things this administration has done that I disagree with. And this is definitely one of them.
More and more corn is being used for Ethanol production, therefore, less supply and greater demand for the corn used to feed livestock as well as corn utilized to produce food for direct human consumption.Therefore, higher demand, higher prices. Factor in that more land is being used for corn production and less of other staple crops and you can see the results.
And before anybody starts spouting off about global warming, I suggest you take a close look at the science behind these so called theories. The new prediction is a period of global cooling due to a lack of solar flare activity. Not to mention that Earth is not tied by a magic string at a preset distance from the sun but rather wobbles in it's orbit. Hence, a little closer to the sun, a little warmer on the planet and vice-versa.
If this administration really wanted to use alternative fuel sources, they should try Ethonal made from Brazilian sugar cane. It actually produces higher BTU' than the the corn based fuel. But, I guess the lobbyist for Florida sugar growers got into somebody's pocket first.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: outis on March 15, 2008, 03:48:32 pm
Just curious....

Here on The Rock, I pay £0.53 for a PINT of milk - with today's exchange rate that equals $1.08. There are eight pints in a gallon, so that would be $8.64 a gallon for milk.

A loaf of bread costs me £1.29, which is $2.63.

How do we compare?

Ann


Holy bananas. Thank god our cars don't run on milk!  ;D
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 15, 2008, 04:22:35 pm
Actually, a big reason for the escalating food costs is that a huge amount of corn is being converted into Ethanol, which is the biggest sham in the history of fossil fuels. I will admit I am Republican, ok, put the pitchforks down, but there is a lot of things this administration has done that I disagree with. And this is definitely one of them.
More and more corn is being used for Ethanol production, therefore, less supply and greater demand for the corn used to feed livestock as well as corn utilized to produce food for direct human consumption.Therefore, higher demand, higher prices. Factor in that more land is being used for corn production and less of other staple crops and you can see the results.
And before anybody starts spouting off about global warming, I suggest you take a close look at the science behind these so called theories. The new prediction is a period of global cooling due to a lack of solar flare activity. Not to mention that Earth is not tied by a magic string at a preset distance from the sun but rather wobbles in it's orbit. Hence, a little closer to the sun, a little warmer on the planet and vice-versa.
If this administration really wanted to use alternative fuel sources, they should try Ethonal made from Brazilian sugar cane. It actually produces higher BTU' than the the corn based fuel. But, I guess the lobbyist for Florida sugar growers got into somebody's pocket first.

Spoken like a true Republican my friend. You were able to tie in rising oil prices to Ethanol and the myth of global warming without ever mentioning the war in Iraq. Ethanol production has nothing to do with oil going from twenty seven dollars a barrel when the Republican war started to where it is now. In fact Ethanol is supposed to help us decrease our dependence on foreign oil and help us lower the price. At least that's what the Republican administration told us.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: 31diver on March 15, 2008, 04:33:25 pm
Umm, funny, I don't remember writing anything about fuel prices or the war. I believe I deliberately stayed to the point of food prices in order to avoid a protracted debate on political philosophies.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 15, 2008, 04:44:29 pm
Umm, funny, I don't remember writing anything about fuel prices or the war. I believe I deliberately stayed to the point of food prices in order to avoid a protracted debate on political philosophies.

Rising oil prices are the cause of rising food costs. You can't discuss the rising costs of oil and food without discussing the cost of the war. Well you could, but it would be disingenuous. Rising oil and food prices are facts not philosophy. 
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: 31diver on March 15, 2008, 05:54:08 pm
And I haven't denied it either. I was pointing out only one of many factors. It is true that the rising cost of fuel is a contributor to the current trend of rising grocery costs. But so are a myriad of other factors, includong the war, the dollar's trading value in foreign markets, etc.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 15, 2008, 06:34:54 pm
31diver, you may be a republican but you are not a farmer. The corn used for Ethanol production is not the same corn we use for food. The by-product of Ethanol productions is used for livestock feed with a high protein level. So we are getting Ethanol and still getting livestock feed. Ethanol is not the cause of the increase in the price of food. Wrong type of corn dude. 
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: 31diver on March 15, 2008, 07:57:19 pm
and what about the land used for this type of corn rather than corn for direct consumption or wheat. Oh, I forgot, I'm an evil republican so everything I say is part of the mass capitalist conspiracy
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 15, 2008, 11:11:55 pm
Like I said you aren't a farmer. Do you think farmers are allowed to plant as much wheat as they want? They can't. Farmers are allotted so much acreage to plant wheat. The Department of Ag. tells each farmer how much wheat one can plant. You put down more than the allotment and you'll have to disc it up. So to answer your question it isn't taking up acreage that could be use for another crop.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: MOONLIGHT1114 on March 15, 2008, 11:41:38 pm
Gee. I only paid $3.21 for regular unleaded  :P

Same here, in Maryland, $3.21.

But damn I remember back in the day (c.1980) when a gallon of milk crept up past $1.00/gal!  Its close to $4/gal here in Maryland now, too.

Guess I better quit letting Cheech lick the cereal bowl clean and cut back.   :-\
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: J.R.E. on March 15, 2008, 11:52:01 pm


But damn I remember back in the day (c.1980) when a gallon of milk crept up past $1.00/gal!  Its close to $4/gal here in Maryland now, too.



Check with Walgreens, when buying milk. If it's the same nationwide, as it is here in Florida. Walgreens, usually gives the best price on a gallon of milk. It's always lower than the supermarkets. ( they want to get you in there, so thsy can sell you something else ! )


Ray
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: 31diver on March 15, 2008, 11:53:06 pm
Rapidrod,
Is it your position that the only reasons for the higher price of food is due exclusively to higher fuel prices and the war?
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: MOONLIGHT1114 on March 15, 2008, 11:56:34 pm
Thanks, Ray, but by the time I bought milk from a Walgreen's and got it home, it would spoil.  I'm in the DC Metro area.  I think the closest Walgreens is about 40 miles away.

I'll keep going to WalMart (which I DESPISE) or Giant Food. 

Cause milk does a body good.  :D
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 16, 2008, 06:25:47 am
Rapidrod,
Is it your position that the only reasons for the higher price of food is due exclusively to higher fuel prices and the war?

Of course not, but it is the cause for the largest increase in food prices. When it cost double what it did to fill a truck with fuel those truckers aren't going to suffer the loss. A fuel surcharge is added to the freight bill which the store increase that amount on the product to make up for it. It takes fuel to farm and most tractors and combines use 150-200 gal in 10 hours. Most fertilizers to be manufactured take natural gas, increase the cost of gas and it increase the price of the product. So yes fuel is the leading cause of the increase of not only food prices but all necessities that we use.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: BT65 on March 16, 2008, 07:11:20 am

Check with Walgreens, when buying milk. If it's the same nationwide, as it is here in Florida. Walgreens, usually gives the best price on a gallon of milk. It's always lower than the supermarkets. ( they want to get you in there, so thsy can sell you something else ! )


Ray

Kroger's also has quite a few specials on milk.  1/2 gallons this week are 4 for $5.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Snowangel on March 16, 2008, 07:50:58 am
I think the closest Walgreens is about 40 miles away.
Wow.  We have one on every freaking corner usually with a CVS across the street.  We have one street that changes names in the middle of it so in my mind there is 2 of them on the same street, they might be 5 miles apart.  Dumb!

Snow
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 25, 2008, 04:31:50 pm
Sad.

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/03/22/foodstamps.ART_ART_03-22-08_A1_NN9NE83.html?sid=101
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: thunter34 on March 25, 2008, 04:36:41 pm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfDk0w-MVuc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfDk0w-MVuc)
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 25, 2008, 05:23:27 pm
Yes, it's sad but it does help those that don't have money to buy food.

Tennessee food stamp households receive, on average, $1.04 per person per meal in food stamp benefits. This modest amount is crucial to financially pressed families.

870,416 Tennesseans use food stamps to buy food every month. That amounts to 14.4 percent of the people in Tennessee.

• The Food Stamp Program pumped $976,012,959 into the Tennessee economy last year, benefiting farmers, grocers, and small businesses throughout the state.

• About 80 percent of food stamp benefits go to households with children, many of them in working families. Most of the rest go to households containing elderly people or people with disabilities
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 25, 2008, 05:35:30 pm
• About 80 percent of food stamp benefits go to households with children, many of them in working families. Most of the rest go to households containing elderly people or people with disabilities

Thank God it's going to people who really need it.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 25, 2008, 05:40:29 pm
Yes it is, isn't it.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 26, 2008, 06:51:08 am
I've been volunteering, on and off, for over twenty years at our local ASO, mostly in the food pantry. Before he died my friend Dennis worked to establish the first food pantry in Memphis to help people with AIDS. I remember how he just had to gay it up and make it look flashy and like a store. ;D Folks would come in weekly and "shop" for food and nonperishables. Those that weren't too ill would try to make it in on their own just to be able to get out and socialize a bit. We'd set up card tables and chairs and serve coffee and smoke. We called it Cafe Dennis.

Now because of costs and the increasing competition of other food pantries we're only able to open once a month. You get a prepackaged bag and you can only get what we give you. The Cafe closed long ago.

It's amazing that in America people will wait in line for an hour for two boxes of Kraft macaroni and cheese.

edited for typo
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 26, 2008, 06:59:12 am
Maybe they go to socialize why they are waiting in line. :D
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 26, 2008, 07:08:39 am
Maybe they go to socialize why they are waiting in line. :D

No Rod that's not it, but I'm not surprised that you would find humor in the suffering of others. Thank goodness you got yours. Most of those socializing back then are dead now anyway.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 26, 2008, 07:25:44 am
No Rod that's not it, but I'm not surprised that you would find humor in the suffering of others. Thank goodness you got yours. Most of those socializing back then are dead now anyway.
  How would you know that is not reason now Hal, for some to stand in line? You've never been put in that position Hal have you? The only thing I notice out of you Hal is that you like to flame bait and belittle others that are not as "fortunate" as you. Like the article from the "Columbus Dispatch," hmmm you stretched to get that article. since you don't live in Ohio and you posted it for one reason. Well you can play your games as much as you like but I'll overlook your your belittling mentality.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 26, 2008, 07:43:02 am
  How would you know that is not reason now Hal, for some to stand in line? You've never been put in that position Hal have you? The only thing I notice out of you Hal is that you like to flame bait and belittle others that are not as "fortunate" as you. Like the article from the "Columbus Dispatch," hmmm you stretched to get that article. since you don't live in Ohio and you posted it for one reason. Well you can play your games as much as you like but I'll overlook your your belittling mentality.

Yes Rod I have. Spent one year homeless if it is any of your business. I've had my days of living on handouts believe me. Maybe that's why I do feel a bit more compassion than you ever dream of showing. You have health insurance but are the first to want to deny it to others. Any opinion different than yours is met with sarcasm and attack. Oh you're right Rod, I am fortunate. Yes, I do work, but because I don't have health insurance I must live on a subsistence level (that means not make too much money Rod) in order to qualify for ADAP.

What the hell Ohio has to do with this is beyond me. If you don't like what I say Rod I suggest you put me on ignore. I'm going to report this to the mods and let them settle it out.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Snowangel on March 26, 2008, 07:48:46 am
I went to one of the food banks around here for the first time last week and the people who worked there were saying that, that day was the most people they had ever seen. :-\

The local grocery store had 2 hothouse cucumber for $5.00  :o 
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: RapidRod on March 26, 2008, 07:53:16 am
You do that Hal, because they will wonder why you put the article from the Columbus Dispatch in a post when it doesn't have anything to do with you because you are from Nashville Tenn., it hasn't beem that long ago that you jumped me for getting assistance to go to the AMG2007.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: BT65 on March 26, 2008, 08:00:20 am
I go to a couple local food pantries, and we have to take what they give us.  I've never been to one where someone got to choose what they wanted.  But hey, thank heaven for those pantries. 
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Dachshund on March 26, 2008, 08:02:43 am
I go to a couple local food pantries, and we have to take what they give us.  I've never been to one where someone got to choose what they wanted.  But hey, thank heaven for those pantries. 

That was back when it first opened in the mid 80's. There is no choosing now and there was no choosing when I used it during the 90's.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Peter Staley on March 26, 2008, 09:04:56 am
Rod & Hal -- back off now, or you're both headed for Time-Outs.  Don't post in this thread again, and don't start another thread to bait each other.

You've both been warned.

Peter
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Peter Staley on March 26, 2008, 09:35:33 am


I've been volunteering, on and off, for over twenty years at our local ASO, mostly in the food pantry. Before he died my friend Dennis worked to establish the first food pantry in Memphis to help people with AIDS. I remember how he just had to gay it up and make it look flashy and like a store. ;D Folks would come in weekly and "shop" for food and nonperishables. Those that weren't too ill would try to make it in on their own just to be able to get out and socialize a bit. We'd set up card tables and chairs and serve coffee and smoke. We called it Cafe Dennis.

Now because of costs and the increasing competition of other food pantries we're only able to open once a month. You get a prepackaged bag and you can only get what we give you. The Cafe closed long ago.

It's amazing that in America people will wait in line for an hour for two boxes of Kraft macaroni and cheese.

edited for typo

Hal -- there is no record in the forums of Rod posting the above statement.  Please send me a PM explaining why you would falsely attribute this quote to him.

Peter
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Peter Staley on March 26, 2008, 09:56:43 am
I just got this PM from Hal:

Peter,

To be honest I'm not sure how that happened and I wasn't attributing that to Rod. It's obvious that I'm making the statement. I was probably quoting Rod and screwed up.

[from a follow-up PM]
... I thought I was quoting Rod's reply #122 and when I edited for a typo somehow screwed up.


I've edited Hal's post above -- I've removed the quote tags from it.

Peter
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: aztecan on March 26, 2008, 10:14:29 am
I believe at the main office in Albuquerque, people are able to "shop" at the NMAS food bank and choose what they like from what is available.

This sometimes includes such things as fresh fruit and vegetables. Around the holidays, we also give people holiday baskets, which are basically bags of holiday type food including a turkey.

Out in the hinterland, where I operate, we don't have a food bank. There are some local food banks that people can access and my agency provides people with gift cards from a local supermarket chain rather than stocking a rural food bank or pantry.

The bottom line is, people need help with groceries, especially those who live on less than $1,000 a month.

With rising food costs, I think most of us will feel the pinch, regardless of income.

I still plan on putting in a big garden. That way, at least I can share what I can't use and I might be able to stock up for the winter.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: BT65 on March 26, 2008, 12:39:51 pm
The bottom line is, people need help with groceries, especially those who live on less than $1,000 a month.
HUGS,

Mark


That is so true.  I get $783/month SSDI and only $10/month food stamps.  That's why I said, thank heaven for the food pantries.  By the way Mark, can you fedex things from your garden to Indiana? ;)
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Winiroo on March 26, 2008, 12:56:38 pm
I haven't used a food pantry since the late 90's I don't think. Towards the end I noticed they seemed to be having trouble keeping stocked and the volunteers where not always very nice.

I've toyed with the idea of an edible garden but I haven't even touched my flower garden this year. I know I'd kill it.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: minismom on March 26, 2008, 01:39:01 pm
Not that long ago, people were able to donate fresh veggies / fruit from their gardens to the food pantries.  Then, for some reason they changed the rules and wouldn't let anyone donate fresh foods.  So, for awhile, the local - our small town pantry - allowed folks to donate fresh veggies / fruit that they "canned".  There was talk about disallowing that, too.  I think it would be a shame. 

We're planting a container garden on our front porch.  We're hoping to get tomatoes, bell peppers, onions (green, white, and purple), garlic, green beans, carrots, herbs, and who knows what else.  Hubby is talking about building a bigger garden on the hill.  We wouldn't be able to get it together for this year, though.  It needs staked out, plowed, a rabbit fence burried, and a deer fence built.  We're hoping to make it at least
 20ft x 20ft.  Then, we'll be able to add corn, gords, cabbage, lettuce, pumpkins, and canatlope, and cucumbers. YUM!

Betty, hun, we get our garden together, and I'll drive down to Indiana and bring you a trunk load of fresh veggies, apples, peaches,  and cherries (from our trees).

If the cost of milk and eggs keeps going up, I'm gonna have to see about adding a cow and some chickens.

Mum (who needs to go to the grocery store)
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: mjmel on March 26, 2008, 06:18:23 pm
container gardening would be the way to go for some of you.
of course, it does cost to acquire the materials needed and on a tight budjet it can be a fair part of the monthly budjet--that intial investment.
the food banks should promote this idea and supply seed, container and simple directions. Only expense would be soil (which one can get for the taking out of a small front yard or purchased at lowe's/walmart/etc. the harvest is constant for months and it's fresh too.
we plant sugar sweets (cherry tomatoes) every year in our half-barrel planter which is outside, near the front entrance of the house. Each year there is more of those tasty sweets than two of us can eat or give away!

Mike
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Winiroo on March 26, 2008, 07:16:34 pm
not a bad idea, the containers.  My lavender and rosemary have survived. so far.... LOL
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: minismom on March 26, 2008, 07:21:03 pm
The good thing about container gardening is you can use anything..just make sure to poke holes in the bottom.  Our friends with the 15 kids plant tomato plants in their snowboots.  It's really cute sitting out on their front porch with tomoto plants growing out of them.  If you use the cheap plastic storage containers, put crushed cans or clean food cans in the bottom so you don't have to use as much soil.  Don't forget to poke holes in the bottom of the container.

Mum
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 26, 2008, 07:27:58 pm
Ever tried to do a container garden from a 4th floor apartment with no elevator, where the only accessible outdoors space is a ancient steel fire escape landing that heats up to 150 degrees every day in the summer?  I'm sure it's great for frying bacon.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Basquo on March 26, 2008, 09:54:44 pm
Ever tried to do a container garden from a 4th floor apartment with no elevator, where the only accessible outdoors space is a ancient steel fire escape landing that heats up to 150 degrees every day in the summer?  I'm sure it's great for frying bacon.

Hothouse tomatoes? 

Seriously, though, I bet you could grow rosemary. It's superhardy and used here in the Desert Southwest as a low-water/high-heat shrub. The grass can be brown and smoking and the rosemary will still be green, blooming and fragrant.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 26, 2008, 10:02:58 pm
Sure, Mary.  Rosemary is really going to help me put a dent in my food budget.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Basquo on March 26, 2008, 10:17:37 pm
Quote
Herb encrusted lamb chops with garlic potato gratin and sugar snap peas, followed by a dessert of chocolate bread pudding and a glass of madiera.

I remembered your food suggestion and I thought of something that you could grow in a container on the Venus you call the area outside your apartment. I'm sorry for offending you. Gardening makes me happy, and as of Friday I will be a total container gardener, as I'm becoming an urban dweller not on the ground floor.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: Miss Philicia on March 26, 2008, 10:26:29 pm
Oh, you didn't offend me.  Trust, I love gardening.  In Brooklyn I had a backyard, though small by most standards (think postage stamp) but I tore it all out and re-landscaped everything.  It was all flowering plants though, not food.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: tendai on March 27, 2008, 08:28:20 am
welcome to the club. but believe me, u aint got nothing on our prices!
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: BT65 on March 27, 2008, 09:35:40 am
Tendai, every time I read one of your posts that describe the horrific conditions you live in there, I could slap myself for complaining.
Title: Re: US food prices increasing sharply
Post by: mjmel on March 27, 2008, 10:34:36 am
Ever tried to do a container garden from a 4th floor apartment with no elevator, where the only accessible outdoors space is a ancient steel fire escape landing that heats up to 150 degrees every day in the summer?  I'm sure it's great for frying bacon.

OK. Everyone else do container gardening. David, you are not allowed. You'd likely stub your toe. God forbid you make some bulk and muscles on your lean mean bod. :D
City slicker! get a plastic container (it's lightweight) and use that spot outside your window (that you escape out of for a cig) to set it 2/3 full of soil and drop a few cherry tomato seeds and voila. Wait. Just considered it would likely be a fire code violation.  :-X

Mike