There are many reasons that prices will be going up here in the states. So far, I have not noticed much of a change in advertised prices in our area. I know some people talk about the prices they pay, and it astounds me. I guess living in this particular area of the country is just cheaper. Everything is - housing is some of the most affordable in the country, gas isn't bad, nor are goods and food too overly priced (not as bad as some places).
There are many reason for increases - but the biggest is going to be the weather. This spring has been horrible for farmers. Extreme snow - then melt, and rain and more rain. Flooding is every where. Two weeks ago (or more recent) some areas were still getting snow! The spring was chilly longer. There are places this week, that have only limited access across rivers, because rivers are out of banks and over bridges.
Truckers and rail transit (even river transit) is seriously being affected. So even if the product is OK - delivery is being hampered.
In my state (Indiana) as of May 26, only 22% of the corn crops had been planted - vs. 95% on that date last year! We have had it easy compared to the mid section of this country. Most of our corn crops provide livestock feed, but it is also used in cereal and ethanol. 'Food' farmers are having no better luck.
By May 26 only 11% of the soy bean crops had been planted here. Last year it was 85%.
There are deadlines as to planting - fall/winter happens regardless of what spring/summer brought. Crops only get so long in the ground before frost and freeze - period!!!!
If you stop and think about all the things that corn and soy are used in - well, it makes since things will be going up in price.
Farmers need many days of no rain for the fields to dry enough to plow - then they need 7-10 days to plant. No way have we had that many days rain free.
Huge amounts of farm animals were lost in flooding in the mid section of the country this year.
Calves were lost by the thousands, as well as milk cows, pigs, chickens, etc.. It is so terribly sad.
Many of the farmers will never be able to re-coop, regardless of insurance or federal help. Many family farms will be gone forever.
This has happened in the past - devastating crops for many seasons. Also citizens have dealt with pestilence and with the huge dust storms in past history. Many lost everything - many died. I don't believe it will be that bad, as we are more aware and communication and industry are more prevalent today. BUT, it will be bad.
Yes, they will probably make a difference in prices in the future - my plan is to avoid as many of those products as possible. Luckily I don't like avocado (LOL) but they are also grown in the U.S.!! (just trying to keep the subject light!!!!! laugh people!)
READ YOUR LABELS folks!!!!!!!! I heard just today that Kroger canned fruits are now using many fruits coming from China rather than the U.S.. I won't be buying them!
Other countries do not have the safety standards that we have - and well, to be honest I am not that happy with ours! Plastic is allowed in rice coming from China, chemicals and additives that we would never think of ingesting are used, concerns of food born illnesses are not a huge concern, health regulations are lax, not to mention to the crappy labor situation there.
There are just so many reasons to buy from your HOME country!!!
I am sure many of you have seen the stories that Dollar Tree is going to be raising prices. No surprise to me. I have never figured how they kept the prices so low. Yes, there is a lot of junky cheap stuff there, but there are also products from good manufacturers. I won't mind paying a little extra if need be on certain items.
IF you utilize a lot of the items from these types of stores - stock up now!
BUY LOCAL. Yes, you may pay a little more. Those folks you buy from at the farm markets and at the farm gates are putting that money they make back into your local environment and economy. The old saying that you are "helping pay for ballet classes for their kids - not higher paychecks for corporate C.E.O.'s" is so true!!!!
We truly need to be more mindful of our food, products, economies and neighbors!
Yes, you diet (and even gifting) may be more limited - but that is OK.
Learn new uses for foods that can be obtained in your area. Visit local artisans for gifts and home furnishings. Visit local orchards and local farms. Learn to get crafty. Learn to garden - even if it is a few garden pots on the balcony. Learn to preserve your bounties for the future. Learn to cook, bake, produce your own bread, can, freeze, etc. It isn't that hard. You Tube makes it easy for everyone. There are videos on how to "do anything"!!!!!!!!
YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID - TRUST ME!
(added benefit - you may learn more about your community and it's people)
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I am still amazed each week at the sale prices I am seeing. I just don't understand how things can be produced/manufactured/raised, hauled and sold for the prices I am seeing. There have been some great deals so far this summer.
So folks, get prepared - we may be in for a bumpy ride for a while. Truthfully, I don't think the tariff thing will last that long - it would not be beneficial for those countries being fined. But the flooding situation is going to have a long term effect.
NOW, is the time to stock-up on what you can. Prices are lower than they probably will be for at least the next year or more (or even ever again).
LEARN new ways - educate yourself, and I just can't emphasize enough BUY LOCAL!
Take control of your health, economy, dollars and community.
YOU HAVE THE CONTROL!
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I'm worried about this also and I live in IN. Another rain storm last night so no farmers in the fields today.
ReplyDeleteWe had a horrible storm last evening and rain is predicted off and on for next few days. It truly is sad. I feel so bad for the farmers - that is there life!
DeleteI am just outside of Kansas City..right in the middle ! Fields are too wet to plant...others near the Missouri River and its tributaries are flooded. I have seen tv footage of cattle in water up to their bellies.
ReplyDeleteFood prices have risen...produce prices have also risen...who would have thought hamburger would be $4/lb. Luckily Aldi's produce and fruit prices are still the lowest around! And chicken is a bargain every where!
I think we will be watching the sale flyers and planning our meals. AND hitting the local farmer's market where our purchases aid the local economy
God bless you and your neighbors. It truly is so sad. I can't believe the pictures I see on TV.
DeleteWe have had great prices on hamburger - as low as 1.79/lb. the past few months - but that will surely end.
Aldi can be a lifesaver as well. Help those 'locals' all you can. Your economy and neighbors need it.
Bless you all.
I too feel that food prices will sky rocket especially on commodities. I am so happy that I have a food storage and that I know how to cook from scratch. These are great blessings.
ReplyDeleteYes, mam - knowing the basic skills of life are truly blessings. I am glad I was taught by my parents and by my school back in the day - home economics class.
DeleteOur pantries may be our survival some day. Incomes stay the same - especially for retired folks - yet food and other items go up. It is a slippery slope!
Good advice! I feel so sorry for the farmers.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been too impressed with kroger's sales lately. I usually pick up some of the friday/saturday specials though. I went to aldi for fruits and veggies since this cold makes me crave fresh fruits. Looking forward to fresh veggies from the garden.
Since before Memorial Day - Kroger hasn't had much in the way of good ads.
DeleteI am so anxious for fresh veggies. I may visit the farm market Saturday. Awaiting the re-opening of the orchard in July as well. Fresh is best.
I have had to cut down on growing my own veg but have plenty of home grown fruit and my salad leaf is coming along. I try to eat in season and local produce as much as possible. In the UK we actually spend a much smaller percentage of our income on food than we did 50 years ago. Prices have gone up a lot in the past year but there are plenty of more economical options.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand cutting back on growing. Now that it is just me - well, I sure won't be gardening as much.
DeleteLOVE that you eat in season. That is huge - I wish people here would get more into that.
I guess my food budget has reduced over the years as well. We used to eat out a bit when we were younger. Then that hardly ever happened as we got older. Now just me - so not spending the funds. We also had a good stock of food here, home canned and store bought (bought on sales).
Glad you are able to find more economical options!
We are getting loads more rain in OK today and we sure don’t need it.
ReplyDeleteI do think wheat prices have to rise and I plan to stock up as soon as I go to Aldi. It can stay in the freezer in the workshop fridge.
The corn crop news is so bad as corn supplements most all animal feed so meat prices have to rise.
Cheryl, how are you doing? I think of you often. ❤️
Yes that is another I forgot to mention - wheat. SO many items that we don't even think about will go up in price. This is a definite stock up period.
DeleteI do have an almost empty chest freezer now (remember my mishap) - so getting grains would be a good option.
Even if we don't need the items ourselves - they would make gifts or great barter items.
I am doing fine - thank you for asking. Each day is a new journey and I just keep moving forward a little at a time.
I’m glad to hear that. ❤️ Even though you are practical and level headed, I sure it must be hard.
DeleteYou can't imagine how hard. I wouldn't want you to be able to either. I move forward - but yes, it is a struggle. I will get there one day. Thanks!
DeleteI wholeheartedly agree with buy local. Buy from your Farmer! We have a CSA. Is it cheap? Well no. But my Farmers deserve a living wage too. I DON'T buy produce that is grown outside the USA. I doubt I purchase 20 cans of anything per year. Frozen organic veggies when needed. Those are USA.
ReplyDeleteYa can't have it all folks. Buy local/spend more.
Thank you Elle - couldn't have said it better.
DeleteI have looked into CSA's but have done taken the step, since I do grow a lot.
That is great that you don't buy much canned or even frozen. I always read the labels for country of origin!
Thanks
Great article. I always buy lots of local produce in the summer and fall. I buy enough potatoes and corn to get us through most of the year.I know where they come from. I don't mind paying a little more for local food but sometimes the food at the farmers markets are 5x the amount at the store. I can't afford that. I always check my labels to see where items are from. We buy very little from China. Sometimes we don't have any other option.
ReplyDeleteI like knowing where the food comes from as well. Farm markets are spendy at times. We have a few around here, so I have choices.
DeleteMany areas have roadside markets, that have bruised or near 'done' fresh produce that they give away. They will give it to anyone - no questions. They just don't want it going in the dumpster.
You might check around to see if there are any business farm stands or orchards in your area. They often carry fruit and veggies. We have 2 within 15 minutes drive. One just re-opened for the season - they also have a 'you pick' section of the farm. The orchard opens July 1.
I like both of these places and they are a bit cheaper than farm stands.
It often helps just to look around for options.
I have also been concerned that the farmers cannot get their crops planted. I live in Indiana too. Nancy
ReplyDeleteIt is really a sad situation. I hope they got a little break this week.
DeleteYou can add to the price that we the consumer pays. Every rise in cost to produce is passed on to the consumer. Some from tariffs which is just another name for a tax and also bail-outs paid by the government to farmers who are hurt by trade war and weather. But you gotta eat so we'll pay their price.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are many reasons to increase prices on our food.
DeleteI try to stay as local as possible and deal one on one with the farmers - it saves a little and helps out the community.
Yes if we don't grow our own - then we pay the price.
I'm also concerned by all the things mentioned. I live in Indiana also. I haven't even been able to plant my garden. We tilled a small area to get the tomatoes in the ground, but they look terrible due to all the rain. I'm thankful my mom taught me to can, can, can when the season is good. Because of her sound advise I will be fine if I can't get green beans in the ground. We had to detour going to my sisters and saw a ton of corn fields that hadn't been touched.
ReplyDeleteI have a cousin who farms in Iowa. They did get their fields planted by what they called "mud in." Now they wait to see the seed will germinate in the mud soaked fields. He said if they do the yield will be much smaller.
Those purse strings will have to pulled a little tighter.
I finally got my items planted - but this year I decided to plant in pots. The garden was a mess. My brother is just working on planting this week.
DeleteIt sure is a sad mess.
I hope your cousin has some success. I well imagine that the yields will be smaller.
I do believe we need to get more creative!
I was just reading an article today online about how the farmers that were storing their corn and soybeans so that they could sell them later this year have lost so much of it due to the flooding and insurance does not cover that loss, nor do any of the current disaster bail out government programs. :( Living in farm country here in the Pacific Northwest and having farmers as friends and neighbors, I know how devastating this could be.
ReplyDeleteKind of makes you wonder why they have insurance if it doesn't pay. That is just awful. I can't imagine the grief and loss they must be feeling.
DeletePrayers for them all.
Brilliant post Cheryl. Having our eyes and ears open is so important. Clearly this is all going to add up to a big impact.
ReplyDeleteThank you. We have to be aware of everything that is happening, because if we aren't, we will pay the price. It is such a dreadful situation.
DeleteI know you have had your own problems in Australia as well. Flooding to drought. It happens all over the world.
Find a sale and stock up is a good way to stay ahead of the game. We are hoping with this dry spell we are having for a few days we can plant our garden. I bet the farmers in Michigan are hoping to get in the fields too.
ReplyDeleteYES. I hope this week has had an advantage to the farmers in our area as well. There has been spots of rain, but not entire state coverage. I sure hope they all get a chance to salvage a bit of the growing season.
DeleteYes, I believe watching sales and taking advantage will be our saving grace. Everyone needs to keep eyes open!
I’d rather buy USA made too! Now is a great time to practice this!
ReplyDeleteYes mam. Still may have bad things in it - but it does seem to be more regulated here. I just don't want chemicals and gunk in my food.
DeleteGreat article....I am curious about one thing a commenter said...that she rarely buys canned food. I am wondering "why"? Living in Florida with the risk of power outages from hurricanes, I am eating up all the frozen veggies. I do have a lot of canned (not home canned) things like tomatoes, green beans, etc.) Are commercially canned vegs not safe to eat?
ReplyDeletePerhaps she does a lot of canning herself. She also said they purchased from a CSA - which gives them a lot of fresh veggies.
DeleteI have canned veggies on my shelves - for yearly use. You never know about power outages and I want to be able to open and eat if need be.
I read labels - make sure U.S. and try to buy things that are as pure as possible. (ie - ingredients tomatoes or green beans, etc.). No added stuff if possible.
I think commercially veggies are fine - just watch for added ingredients and preservatives. Every person has their own preferences.
You are doing what you need to do to be prepared and take care of your family. Good job.
We are getting rain this week, but nothing like in the midwest. We just have to prepare the best we can. The price of canned salmon was shocking to me this week. $4.55 for a can of pink salmon. I was floored.
ReplyDeleteWoah! That is pricey. I wouldn't pay that. Have you ever made tuna patties instead of salmon.? I have done that for years. They are yummy and have a lighter taste than salmon. CHEAPER too!
DeleteThe last salmon I bought was on a Kroger markdown.
We have actually had a bit of drier weather this week - I sure hope it helps the area farmers.
I have two cans of tuna in my pantry that I need to use up, so I will make tuna patties out of them. Thanks for the idea, Cheryl.
DeleteYou bet!!! ENJOY
DeleteI concur. We need to buy locally as much as possible, stock up as is practical, and live more simply as our incomes (especially in retirement) are not going to keep up with increased prices.
ReplyDeleteAmen sister! My sentiments as well. We have to look after ourselves - no one else is going to. Survival of the fittest (or smartest!)
DeleteAfter your post, I did a Walmart grocery pickup and was so pleased to see several staples, all Great Value label, marked way down.
ReplyDeleteI got 10 pound bags of AP flour for $2.22 (I bought 50 #)
I also got tortilla chips and frozen OJ at low prices.
SUPER! That is wonderful. It is so nice to find those things we use regularly on a bargain price point! That will sure help your pantry in the near future!
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