I'm trying to rethink our food budget again, in light of the freezer's arrival and our upcoming lower income. So I went online to find the latest USDA Food Plan as a guide.
It got me thinking--they keep saying inflation is well under control, but I'm definitely noticing higher prices on certain foods. I haven't been keeping good spending records lately, so am I just imagining it?
The CPI figures that just came out say food is up 4.2% on an annual basis (August to August).
I compared the USDA food plans for last June and this June (June is supposed to represent an average figure for the year.) Their food budgets have gone up 5.9% in a year.
And here's an article that says:
"According to figures from the United States Department of Agriculture, the price of foods containing high amounts of protein have increased the most. The cost of beef has increased by 6.4 percent. Poultry is up 7.8 percent.
"But both are trumped by milk, which costs 9.5 percent more than it did at the beginning of the year.
"For the year, the USDA is forecasting a food inflation rate of 4 to 4.5 percent, with the highest increases being seen in dairy and eggs. Historically, retail food prices inflate at a rate of 2.5 percent. “Very rarely do we get above 3.5 percent,” said Leibtag. But even if prices fall some this autumn, it appears this year's inflation rate will be the highest since 1990."
www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=6647
It really makes you wonder what to think.
September 19th, 2007 at 02:33 pm 1190212414
September 19th, 2007 at 02:46 pm 1190213207
September 19th, 2007 at 04:20 pm 1190218811
September 19th, 2007 at 06:30 pm 1190226652
It's good for the corn growers, but not necessarily for the consumer.
I could not believe the price of powdered milk, when I purchased a box last weekend. At Sam's, a 22 quart size box was nearly $15.00! I use it in cooking, and for hot chocolate, but I don't think I am saving much.
September 20th, 2007 at 03:25 am 1190258714
September 20th, 2007 at 04:46 pm 1190306764