I guess food prices HAVE gone up

[grasswire]

I didn't think food prices have gone up much, as I always shop sales and don't buy things that aren't on sale.

But I was just at the grocery store to get a few things for an older man in my apartment building who has been unable to get to the store since his partner split before New Years. I've been taking food to him for a week out of my cupboard. And I thought some mac and cheese might be a good simple staple for him.

Hm? $1.05 for a box of mac and cheese? What happened to the 3 for a dollar Kraft?

I was quite surprised. The pasta roni was even cheaper than the mac and cheese!

[eyesroll]

1. The generic mac and cheese is still cheap.

I've seen it for about 45 cents a box.

The Kraft stuff has shot up.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

2. Remember you commented on my thread the other day?

I was making coq au vin and chicken thighs were on sale for $1.99 (which is cheap here in Boston).

There was an article in the Boston Globe today about supermarkets and competition and the difference in prices from city to suburbs. Our two major chains set different prices according to competition. Here is the article:

http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2004/01/11/bargains_by_the_basket/

On edit: my grocery bill has gone up 20% in a year and I no longer buy goodies. It's inflaion.

[Rowdyboy]

3. I'm sorry to hear that

I pay 99 cents on sale, $1.29-1.69 normally however, the poultry industry is centered in this area so that could make a difference. Thank God we have no kids and can afford to indulge ourselves.

[grasswire]

12. thanks for sending that article...

...it was really interesting.

I have never heard of the concept of adjusting the price in different stores in a chain to reflect competetion in specific neighborhoods. That sure doesn't happen out west!

When I have spent time in Massachusetts (several months over several summers recently) I was shocked to see how few and far between the supermarkets are! Here within one mile of my home are a Safeway, a Kroger, an Albertsons and two very nice local chain markets. I can walk to four of the five.

I wonder how people get along who don't drive and don't live in the city, in New England. How do little old ladies who live out in the townships get food?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

13. There are a lot of chain stores out in the 'burbs

Suburuban sprawl is of real concern here in Mass. Some communities have moratoriums on development because of traffic and overcrowding (Boston Metro is the second-most densely populated region in the US). That may explain why there aren't Walmarts in every town. Out in rural Mass. you need a car definitely. Where did you spend time?

In the city we have no Walmarts but can walk to just about any type of supermarket, natural foods, or ethnic markets you can think of. Bt the whole price structure varies wildly from store to store.

That is so sweet what you did for your neightbor, by the way...

[Deja Q]

4. Months of bad weather in California have kept broccoli and cauliflower

prices up ridiculously high.

Milk is insanely priced unless you buy the hormone-laden filth.

Shrimp is always on sale, making me wonder about the "regular" prices they peddle them for.

Ground turkey seems stable.

Snack crackers (Triscuit, et al) have skyrocketed though.

I regularly avoid the big name brands and stock up if they're on sale. Hamburger helper is worth $1/pkg, not the $1.89 they otherwise sell them for.

And no beef, thanks anyway. :D

[Kathy in Cambridge]

6. Hamburg here is $3+/lb

there is definitely price-gouging in my region...

[Deja Q]

7. OUCH! And I gripe about the cost of soy meat substitute products!

With mad moo disease, you'd think beef would plummet to $3 per metric ton!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

8. I just bought Boca Burgers on sale-2 packages/$5

I love them-especially smothered in cheese! :P

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Have you bought beef in the last few months?

Lord God Almighty.

[Ilsa]

9. Eggs up 50% here at one time.

They are down again, but still about 20% higher. Beef is up still inTexas, thanks to the Adkins diet people. Everything is up some.

My niece's tuition to junior college just went up about 11%.

[Skittles]

10. grasswire

you are a sweetheart.

[Norbert]

11. I still Kroger and Meijer brands

mac & cheese at 2/$1.00 and sometimes 3/$1.00. I don't notice much difference in taste between the three brands. I guess with Kraft you are paying for the cute commercials.

I eat oatmeal regularly (colesteral). I can usually get the 42oz storebrand oatmeal the same price as 21 oz of Quaker Oats, sometimes even cheaper. What is Quaker Oats thinking? :shrug:

Eggs here are slightly lower than is was around Thanksgiving but they are still overpriced.

Lately we have been getting bread at a good price. Sunbeam usually $1 a loaf at Meijer. This week Kroger had Wonder and Butternut both at $1 I guess as an answer.

We usually shop for the loss leaders and if it is not on sale, not an absolute necessity and is too high in price we do without.