Your Grocery Bill is Going Up!

If you've been following the news in the past few weeks, I'm sure you've seen the glaring headlines that inform us about the upcoming rise in food prices.  I've seen it on TV, heard it on the radio, and now I'm reading about it in my morning paper.

This past Tuesday, the Globe and Mail published an article in the money section on the impending increase of grocery store prices.  To be perfectly honest, I typically leave that area of the news to Rob.  I try to wake up in the morning, but those articles often have the reverse affect on me.  But the slices of bread that accompanied the words "Lettuce up 45%" caught my attention this week.

In brief, here is some of what the article had to say:

• Prices of everything from bread to vegetables and meat are going to climb as companies pass on soaring commodity prices to the consumer.
• Incomes aren't expected to rise with the price of food.
• The price of sugar reached a 29 year high.
• Overall prices will rise 3 to 8 percent in the coming year.
• Fresh vegetables are up 7.4% from the same time last year.
• Fresh and frozen meats are up 4 %.
• Households that consume a lot of bread and meats should consider changing the types of foods they buy.
• Legumes and rice will be a better deal than meat and bread.

It sounds somewhat grim.  But the last two points are the ones I really want to focus on.  

• To beat the prices we should consider changing the types of foods we buy.
• Legumes and rice will be a better deal than meat and bread.

Those are both glass-half-full statements if I ever saw them.  Many of us need to change some of the types of foods we eat anyways, and legumes and rice are so good for us, that if they're going to be the most economical option for our dinner plates, it's a bonus to both our wallets and our bodies. And to quote Charlie Sheen (the only time I'll do that, I promise) it's a "winning" idea.

And let's not forget about beans.  As I've mentioned before, beans keep my very hungry boys well fed. They're also an excellent source of protein and many much needed vitamins. And they're cheap.  Really, really cheap. The last bag I bought cost $2.09.  That will feed my family three meals.  Awesome, don't you think. So, wouldn't it make sense to add more of these, in addition to the legumes and rice, to our weekly meal plan?

In addition to changing some of what we eat, we also need to be aware of how we shop, and knowing your prices is the key to savings.  

• Just because something is on sale doesn't mean it's the best price.  Don't assume that the lower end store will sell the least expensive items (the rice in the above picture costs $5.99/bag at Loblaws.  I picked mine up at Whole Foods for $3.49).
• When items are on sale stock up.  Don't buy 1 or 2 extra, but buy as many extra as your home can hold.
• Consider buying online.  Grains, nuts and beans are great options.  Remove the middle man from the equation and purchase directly from the supplier.
• Shop directly from your farmer or market.  Keep our of the supermarkets as often as you can.

How about you?  Are you concerned about the rise of food prices?  Will you shop differently?  Will you eat differently?  Let's discuss.

 

Comments

[Stacey]

Hi Jan,
I really enjoyed this article. Thanks for posting the info and suggestions. I am concerned and will probably shop differently. Now you just need to post lots of bean and rice meals for us to try!

[Mom]

Great post.

[Paula]

Great post. What is also so alarming about the high increase in food prices is the number of families that will end up having to get their weekly groceries at the local food banks.

[Jan Scott]

Thats so true, Paula.  And so sad to think about.

[Jan Scott]

Ha!  Ill do my best!

[The Orchard]

As others said, great post. We do eat a lot of bread and meat so I am really concerned. Just last week I borrowed a bunch of vegetarian cookbooks from a friend - I would like our family to cut out our meat consumption for environmental reasons, cost reasons and health reasons. I am a little daunted by the thought of trying to cook vegetarian, but will do my best.

Thanks for making us aware of these issues. I had heard tidbits here and there but not in great detail.

Love your blog!

[Jan Scott]

Did you find anything interesting in the vegetarian cookbooks?  Thanks for the kind words....Im going to try and post some eco (both wallet AND earth friendly meals) eats over the next few months.

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