The high cost of Food today.

[jvs]

Once a week or so, I walk around the local Supermarket.  Over the last couple of months it has become apparent that the price of food is on an upward spiral.

The Business Cable Channel - CNBC - ran a story today about the higher and higher prices stores must charge because of the price of Grains and Transportation has steadily gone northward. 

One Expert, the CEO of Tyson Foods, said the price increases, which have just now started to find their way to the Supermarket aisles, have just begun.  From what I got out of the interview, Tyson has only begun to pass the higher grain prices on to their customers.   And he believes that the cost of Meat (Beef, Chicken, Pork) will rise for another couple of years.  He almost said that the use of Corn to make Bio-Fuels was idiotic, as it leads to the use of assets for Corn production instead of food and animal feed.  He estimates starvation is likely to hit between 700 Million and 1.2 Billion People in the poorest Countries between now and 2015.

One other thing CNBC also said was that there should be Companies that benefit from higher food prices.  And they would be the Seed (Burpee) and Fertilizer (Miracle Grow) Companies, because it is expected that more Home Gardening will take place.

I think it is a shame that higher prices should force  people to get into Vegetable Gardening.

[Old Syko]

Along the same lines of high priced foods.  Went to the local suppliers of garden plants the last few days (greenhouses, nurseries, feed mills, etc) in search of garden plants and for the most part couldn't believe what I found.  Last year, as an example, tomato plants cost me about $1.25 a bundle.  Somewhere between 12 and 20 plants to the bundle.  This year most of the same places are charging as much as $4.00 per plant!  The funny part of this is that people are actually paying up.  I was absolutely dumbstruck!  I generally start a seed bed sometime in February and supply my own plants and just buy enough to supplement or change up my stock.  This year due to a screw up on my part I lost most of my plants just a week or 2 before time to plant.     Still got plenty of seed though.  Although aggravated I didn't think it would be a big deal.  Turns out it actually wasn't as I found a lady who helped me replenish my stock for practically nothing.  Hope I can help her out some day in return.

Already stocking up on canning supplies before some idiot figures out how to get away with jacking the price up on those also.

BTW;  Ain't nobody forcing this old fat guy to garden.  Always been a way of life for us.   

[keith44]

When I get bored I dig through old posts and archives 


This post seems as timely right now as it would have in the 1920's and 30's.


People used to be encouraged to plant "Victory Gardens" to support the war effort.  With fuel and food rationing people didn't have much choice.  Today the prices are inflated again, and fuel costs are through the roof.


I find it strange that more and more people, instead of trying to grow some of their own food, say that it costs too much to grow and can your own vegetables. 

[longwinters]

Well, gas here is DOWN to 353.00  So I don't doubt prices will be up.  Last year your typical tomato plant in my area was 3.50 ea. They typically are the highest price of garden plants.  I just ordered my seeds etc... from Gurneys and Parks.  Tomato, green beans, onion sets, potato seed, carrot, various peppers, parsnips, winter squash, summer squash, black raspberrys and lettus.  I don't know if it is all that much cheaper to grow my own if I add up what it costs for my grow light, raised beds, roto tiller etc..
 
If I look for sales I can buy canned veggies and don't know really which way is cheaper.  But I do enjoy growing veggies and knowing what I have when I grow my own.  And its good relaxation. 
 
Long

[jvs]

That thread was started 3 1/2 years ago, at the beginning of the current upward price spiral.   
 
And to think Inflation hasn't really kicked in yet.
 
Oil goes up, Food goes up, everything goes up at every level and nothing counts for Inflation?  Why is that?
 
I have inflation figured out to be when the working man on the shop floor asks for a 25 cent raise to pay for all of the stuff that keeps going up...  Then THAT would be INFLATION.  That is how they keep you where you are.  Never ahead. 
 
It doesnt count what you have to spend to feed, clothe and shelter your family.  It only matters when you want more money to do it.
 
 
 
 

[keith44]

I have noticed that same scenario.  Seems that when the gov't wants to report good news they will figure out a way to come up with the numbers that they want.   Cost of living, for instance, no longer includes the price of food, medicine, or fuel, unless they want to show how hard it is for someone.

[jvs]

When Inflation returns, it won't be like the 1970's.  Inflation may have gotten to less than 15% a year back then.  You might be in for a shock.
 
With the National Debt climbing at every act of Congress, Inflation, when it come back will be Hyper-Inflation.  Just like Germany in the 1920's and the way Italy was more recently.  It isn't too bad now because there is nobody demanding more income to pay for all of the increases in prices.  But it is coming. 
 
The American people are under financial stress.  Everybody wants theirs first, regardless on what it does to the people who have to pay it.
 
There are alot of people hurting because of those price increases, and nobody cares.  I'm glad there is only two of us here, but I worry for the youngsters and the less fortunate out there.
 
 

[Empty Quiver]

I'm feeling pretty old as I type this.


I don't know how young families can afford to live.


 I really don't think I am exaggerating when I say things have gone up %50 in the last few years. If a person was already living simply it has to be hitting pretty hard. I grant you there are a lot of toys in most budgets, but I'm thinking those things are being weeded out pretty quickly. Those toys are what kept many families in the black. Ten households start mowing there own yard again, and some fella stays home that day. Fifty families stay home and don't see the local semi pro ball game and a peanut and beer vendor loses a days wages, it starts adding up and feeds on itself.


I'm comfortable where I am right now... But I'll tell you this, I stay just a bit nervous and keep my eyes open to new job opportunities. I'm pretty sure this ain't my last job, but it shoulda, oughta, could be.

[keith44]

When Inflation returns, it won't be like the 1970's.  Inflation may have gotten to less than 15% a year back then.  You might be in for a shock.
 
With the National Debt climbing at every act of Congress, Inflation, when it come back will be Hyper-Inflation.  Just like Germany in the 1920's and the way Italy was more recently.  It isn't too bad now because there is nobody demanding more income to pay for all of the increases in prices.  But it is coming. 
 
The American people are under financial stress.  Everybody wants theirs first, regardless on what it does to the people who have to pay it.
 
There are alot of people hurting because of those price increases, and nobody cares.  I'm glad there is only two of us here, but I worry for the youngsters and the less fortunate out there.
 
 

We are in total agreement here.  I am doing everything I can to pay off all debts before this hits us.  The only things left are the mortgage and the bike.  The bike pmt goes away in March, then with my father and grandfather raising beef, and four gardens on four different family properties we will be fine.


Like you I am concerned for friends, aquaintences, and people in general.

[keith44]

I'm feeling pretty old as I type this.


I don't know how young families can afford to live.


 I really don't think I am exaggerating when I say things have gone up %50 in the last few years. If a person was already living simply it has to be hitting pretty hard. I grant you there are a lot of toys in most budgets, but I'm thinking those things are being weeded out pretty quickly. Those toys are what kept many families in the black. Ten households start mowing there own yard again, and some fella stays home that day. Fifty families stay home and don't see the local semi pro ball game and a peanut and beer vendor loses a days wages, it starts adding up and feeds on itself.

Yup, housing market, retirement investments, new car sales, it all adds up.


50% really?? Look at a bag of corn chips, or Pringles.  Three or maybe four years ago a bag of Tostidos could be had for about $2.00 to maybe $2.75, today they are over $5.00.  A large can of Pringles used to cost $0.69, yesterday I saw them on sale for $1.89.  Canned veggies used to be $0.25 a can or on sale for 5 for a dollar.  Now $0.89 cents a can to as much as $1.69 a can.  I'd be real happy with just a 50% increase, and like JVS pointed out hyper inflation ain't hit yet.