Food Prices to Start Ticking Up

**Grainlady** · 08-27-2009, 05:17 PM

Wouldn't you know it..... http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/26/bu...my/26food.html

I've been taking advantage of every food bargain I can get my hands on these days, within my limited food budget, and have been expecting prices to go up!

This could be a great time to consider stockpiling if you've never done so before. It could also be a good time to consider some items in storage that you may not have used before - like whole grains, dried beans, powdered whole eggs, powdered milk products, dehydrated apple slices - and would like to learn how to incorporate them in your diets. These ingredients are still reasonably priced when you purchase them in bulk quantities, and you can make a plethora of things out of them.

I've been experimenting with some "new" foods so I can get more variety out of the least expensive, most basic foods I purchase. So far we like the "cereal" and the "fake sausage" I've made with gluten (the high-protein portion of wheat flour).

It's a good time to brush up on, or learn to make, some of the really simple things from scratch, like noodles/pasta, homemade breads..... As prices go up, our food dollars are going to need to stretch even more than ever before! If food goes up, then utilities and gas will probably do the same.

**AmyBoz** · 08-27-2009, 05:21 PM

Makes you feel good to know all of those frugal skills we've been practicing here at the village!

**jas** · 08-27-2009, 05:23 PM

thanks for the heads up.

**NewLeaf** · 08-27-2009, 05:32 PM

I feel the same. I have been stocking up on sales recently too. It's time to hunker down and get even frugaler in this house.

**Texasgirl** · 08-27-2009, 05:33 PM

Thanks for the link.

**savvy_sniper** · 08-27-2009, 06:42 PM

I read about food prices going up somewhere on the internet yesterday. I am stockpiling like crazy and getting VERY inventive about where to store things.

My pantry is full. I really don't want to put food stuff in the laundry room because the gas water heater is in there (it is wrapped). The laundry room is just off the kitchen. I am considering hanging my pot rack in the laundry room and hanging/storing pots and pans on it. That will open up MORE cabinet space for food stuff.

I have a big book shelf with mostly cookbooks on it in the breakfast area. I am moving the cookbooks and putting food stuff on it instead.

I just bought an old armoire at a garage sale that someone built shelves in. I am going to put it in my dining room and fill it up.

The freezer is FULL of meat that was purchased in bulk or on sale, separated, packaged, and vacuum sealed. My next purchase will be a freezer since I now have a generator in case the power goes out.

**jlaporte** · 08-27-2009, 07:08 PM

ive been doing my best stockpiling. byt really somethings gotta give! between loosing jobs and high insurence! now food gets more expensive. its just a sad state of affairs. we all plan ahead and do what we can but whats it gonna take for ppl to open there eyes and see this bs. yes some is naturally going up cuz other food stuff is high so take from 1 to pay the other. but in the end no mattwer what we all suffer. its just not right.

**mauimagic** · 08-27-2009, 07:13 PM

We've been watching the prices climb here for the past few months. I do need to take advantage more of whatever sales there are, but then income has not been great either. Just need to be on top of so much, but then again, that's one of the reasons I'm at FV!! The charming companyis just a bonus!!

**frugalfranny** · 08-27-2009, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Grainlady

If food goes up, then utilities and gas will probably do the same.

Our main utility here has already asked for a combined increase of over 30%........they were denied......so far.......but it is all politics. Bet they end up getting more than half of it! They are having an open meeting in a month or so.....you can bet I will be there. This company has had RECORD profits for the last few years and has not had to make ANY CUTS since the economy went TU........not even the retirees.......and they have a retirement plan that would almost match the good one of the auto industry.

**calimomx2** · 08-27-2009, 07:37 PM

Thanks for the link!! I've been adding to the stockpile as well and will continue as much as I can each pay period!

**Suze** · 08-27-2009, 07:44 PM

I am a hoarder. I freely admit it. When I find food sales, I get as much as my food budget allows - usually meaning half or all the weekly budget will be used to stockpile the on sale item. Last week, it was canned tuna at Kroger - 50 cents a can. I bought four cases and added those to the 2 cases I already had. The rest of the week's budget went to items I used with tuna like mustard, mayo, pasta and rice.

shubh · 08-28-2009, 02:17 AM

Freak weather is a factor. But so are dramatic changes in the global economy, including higher oil prices, lower food reserves and growing consumer demand in China and India. There is no one to help us, we will have to devise the methods to fight with this situation.

**WV_mom_of2** · 08-28-2009, 07:32 AM

Yippee, more good news LOL! How much more can I stand???

I've used up a lot of my stockpile recently because money has been very tight. I've been trying to get it built back up, but it's hard finding good sales in my area and I'm getting ready to be laid off for winter which will make the money even tighter! I did see that our little store here has 25 pound bags of flour and hamburger on sale this weekend, better run out and get me some!

It was nice to read that people are starting to buy up big packages of things on sale and freeze them. Maybe people are starting to learn about stockpiling and being prepared!

**mommy4ever** · 08-28-2009, 09:30 AM

That was a good article. I'm not sure how it translates here. We never saw a decrease in prices. Just a continuous slow climb. So likely more of the same here. A 4 L milk (1 gallon approx) is $4.29-4.69! Seeing it at $just over 3 would be like Christmas.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 08-28-2009, 10:33 AM

I'd absolutely love milk @ $3 a gallon.

I haven't really noticed an increase in prices, but then again I've been focusing on a new set of foods that's 3 times the price of regular food. We can't have gluten in the house because of DS11, so all of our food is going to be more pricey. It's time to get back to basics and cook food that's more simple. I think if people went back to simple foods (homemade oven fried chicken, baked cheeseburgers, etc.) then they'd notice it a lot more.