ECON Report food and grocery price increases/shortages here - UPDATE, new runs on the stores

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Keric4

Contributing Member
nomifyle said:
This, just in case the electricity goes out, maybe you should learn to make tortillas, and actually they are a decent substitute for sliced bread, if you just have to have bread. They can be made in a skillet over an open fire. DH and I don't have to have bread and don't eat it every day or maybe even once a week. It usually molds before the loaf is gone.

God is good all the time,

Judy
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My go to Flat Bread {Naan} recipe from The Food Network

2 cups flour
3 Tblspns Yogurt, Sour Cream, or Buttermilk.
2 Tblspns Olive Oil
1 Tspn yeast
1/8 Tspn Baking Powder
!Tspn Sugar
1/2 Tspn Salt
3/4 Cup Water

Mix dry ingredients together, add wet mixture, knead into a ball adding flour as needed. Let rise until double. Roll out into a log , cut into 6 pieces. Roll each piece into a flat round and cook on ungreased griddle/skillet. Med heat.
 
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frazbo

Veteran Member
Our local groc store in this little part of heaven, Ozarks, normally has a brand of smoked, sliced beef brisket. Been buying a 3-4 pound pkg. forever for about 14.00-15.00 per pkg. Called today and wanted to get 8 pkgs to can up...it's that good. She tells me they no longer get those pkgs, but get a whole brisket, about 7lbs and slice it up themselves...now selling in one pound pkgs...Nope...need bulk amt. She tells me that their meat orders are now cut in about half, if they're lucky.

So I ask about just getting the whole brisket and they slice it (no charge)...6 3/4 lbs...$94.85!
Buying it in the 3-4 lb pkg, at about 14.00-15.00 would normally have cost me about 45.00 compared to approx the 6 3/4-7lb whole brisket for 94.85.

That's an increase of about 50.00 from just last week or so.

You know that little voice that says: Do it NOW! I think I, myself, need to pay attention more often now...I'm so bummed.
 
W

WalknTrot

Veteran Member
We hit Aldi yesterday morning (N. MN) at the crack of opening - store was pristine loveliness. Produce, paper goods, cheese and sausage, chocolate. Only thing they don't have out yet is my pickled red cabbage n' apples, but it's seasonal for fall.

The grocery store this morning - looked good. Bread flour on sale this week no less, yeast out the wazoo, Angel Soft TP big multi's on an end cap, no limit. 80% ground chuck on sale 2.49/lb in family packs. Country style ribs, 1.99/lb. Bone-in chicken breast .99/lb.

The meat store had the usual - well stocked. I just bought brats and their little 8 oz sirloins today for the weekend grill. They
had spiced chicken quarters at .99/lb, the 8 oz sirloins were 4.00 each, New York Strip - 8.99/lb., Chuck, rump or Bread & Butter roast - 2.99/lb, Porketta steak - 1.89/lb, center cut bone-in pork chops - 1.99/lb., and their lean 10# burger bags - 2.99/lb.
 
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rafter

rafter

Since 1999
frazbo said:
Our local groc store in this little part of heaven, Ozarks, normally has a brand of smoked, sliced beef brisket. Been buying a 3-4 pound pkg. forever for about 14.00-15.00 per pkg. Called today and wanted to get 8 pkgs to can up...it's that good. She tells me they no longer get those pkgs, but get a whole brisket, about 7lbs and slice it up themselves...now selling in one pound pkgs...Nope...need bulk amt. She tells me that their meat orders are now cut in about half, if they're lucky.

So I ask about just getting the whole brisket and they slice it (no charge)...6 3/4 lbs...$94.85!
Buying it in the 3-4 lb pkg, at about 14.00-15.00 would normally have cost me about 45.00 compared to approx the 6 3/4-7lb whole brisket for 94.85.

That's an increase of about 50.00 from just last week or so.

You know that little voice that says: Do it NOW! I think I, myself, need to pay attention more often now...I'm so bummed.
Click to expand...

We had BBQ joints around here that closed because the meat is just too expensive...they plan to reopen when prices go down. Others just upped the price.

Not sure if you have heard of "Charlie's Buffet" but they had to change what they were serving as in roast beef and sub other stuff. Their chicken is to die for! They also raised their price a couple bucks a head due to food prices increasing.
 
packyderms_wife

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
Meemur said:
This is why Iowa, at least, has periodic "no questions asked" drive-up food distributions at various churches. I've never seen so many distributions to "everyone." In the past, people had to sign up in advance and provide paycheck stubs and tax forms to show that they were low income.

A real sign of the times . . . and I'm glad they are doing it. That helps keep the crime rate down a bit.
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Meals from the Heartland, gotta love that organization. I have friends who volunteer to put the meal/food boxes together. And yes they are distributed with no questions asked.
 
Smoke

Smoke

Veteran Member
Just got back from a Krogers in Columbus, OH, paper aisle is low, no napkins, poor selection of tp and few paper towels, canned veggies, a lot of empty shelves, rice, dried beans, lots of holes in the shelves, plenty of tuna and canned chicken, few cans of spam, no other canned meat except the large 28 oz Keystone, beef and pork and they are pricey about $8 a can. cheaper at walmart if they are in stock, still no disinfectant wipes. Even the bacon aisle had a lot of holes in it.
 
psychgirl

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
One thing I meant to mention is canned Salmon!
Not only are the brands and selection bextvto nothing but since when, did canned salmon get so pricey??

I love salmon patties and usually only have 4-5 cans around since I don’t make them that often. I’m low, down to two cans so went looking.

They’re at least 3x as expensive now and the shelf only had 3 or 4 cans of them left , the price on sale, at Kroger, was 4$ and change!
 
Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
mudlogger said:
The first time I took the husband to Aldi's, he said, why would you shop where you can't get everything?
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And also, there are holes in inventory everywhere. With the pandemic, I really don't want to go to 7 - 8 stores in one day to get what I need or mess around online. Fortunately, my pantry is now in pretty good shape, and I can plan meals from whatever is available at the farmers market. I'm eating a lot of "dinner salads" right now.
 
packyderms_wife

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
psychgirl said:
One thing I meant to mention is canned Salmon!
Not only are the brands and selection bextvto nothing but since when, did canned salmon get so pricey??

I love salmon patties and usually only have 4-5 cans around since I don’t make them that often. I’m low, down to two cans so went looking.

They’re at least 3x as expensive now and the shelf only had 3 or 4 cans of them left , the price on sale, at Kroger, was 4$ and change!
Click to expand...

Since the fisheries stopped catching salmon, etc., due to covid. Throw in a shortage of metal cans and yeah stuff is getting pricey.
 
packyderms_wife

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
mecoastie said:
No mustard seed anywhere. Guess everyne is making pickles
Click to expand...

It IS the height of pickle making season. I went to the middle eastern store here this past spring and I bought everything I would need for pickles and in large quantities, they had a choice of 4oz 8oz and 16 oz bags, I bought the one-pound bags of each spice I thought I would be needing for canning and for various dishes we enjoy eating, the prices were fairly decent.
 
mudlogger

mudlogger

Veteran Member
nehimama said:
Canned mackerel is less expensive, and *might* be a decent substitute for salmon? Dunno; haven't yet tried making salmon patties with it.........
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We used to eat canned mackeral, made patties with it, then it got really funky, like tuna, a can of mush instead of meat. It's probably been 20 years, so ymmv, lol
 
Loretta Van Riet

Loretta Van Riet

Trying to hang out with the cool kids.
mecoastie said:
No mustard seed anywhere. Guess everyne is making pickles
Click to expand...
Uh, no. People are learning how to make mustard plasters, again!

Old-Timer's Cure-All For Cough & Cold: A Mustard Plaster

For centuries mustard plasters were the tried and true home remedy for the flu, coughs, colds, pneumonia and many other ailments. It was used regularly up until the not too distant past since this poultice was thought to sweat out all the "ills" the body held. As more pleasant cures…
tipnut.com tipnut.com

Old-Timer’s Cure-All For Cough & Cold: A Mustard Plaster
WELLNESS

68 comments
For centuries mustard plasters were the tried and true home remedy for the flu, coughs, colds, pneumonia and many other ailments. It was used regularly up until the not too distant past since this poultice was thought to sweat out all the “ills” the body held.
Ingredients
As more pleasant cures came on the market, use of the poultice went down in popularity.
This can be an uncomfortable treatment (from the heat it generates), but it was believed that it knocked sense back into the body and did a good job drawing out all the “gunk” flus and congestion bring with them.
This isn’t a 100% guaranteed cure, but IMHO it’s one tough gangster bug that laughs one of these bad boys off.
If you’ve ever wondered how they are made and how to use them, here’s an old recipe I’ve had for years…
Mustard Plaster Remedy
4 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons dry mustard
Water (lukewarm)
Directions:
  • Mix the dry ingredients together then add the water to make a paste. The paste should be smooth and easily spreadable but not too thin so that it runs or is watery.
  • Take a clean flour sack towel and spread the paste evenly across top half (one side only), fold up the bottom half of the towel and apply to chest area. Do not apply paste directly to skin or it may cause blistering. Cover with a fresh towel then top with a heavy blanket to encourage sweating (the fresh towel protects the blanket from any staining). If needing a large size poultice, cover an entire flour sack towel with the paste, then top with another flour sack towel (or make two separate ones).
  • Leave plaster on for up to 20 minutes, remove if skin turns deep red and is in danger of blistering. If using on children, watch tender skin carefully (not to be used on children under school age unless directed by doctor). Some reddening is normal as heat & circulation is being drawn to the surface.
  • Remove poultice, wash skin with a warm cloth to remove any traces that may have seeped through, dry and apply a layer of lard or vaseline over the skin.
  • Next apply to back for same amount of time or until danger of blistering appears, again covering with a heavy blanket and following procedure above.
  • This can be reapplied every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
  • A warm bath or shower can bring some comfort to the patient after treatment, but they must be supervised at all times due to their weakened condition from the illness (not left alone for even a minute). This is standard care in all cases of illness.
Tips:
  • I’ve seen some recipes that recommend applying a layer of vaseline on the skin before applying poultice cloth, this apparently helps prevent any blistering…however, still “peek” at the skin every few minutes to watch. It is also thought that by using egg white instead of water to mix the paste, there’s some protection against blistering.
  • Flour sack towels are a cotton tea towel. If you don’t have any, you can apply this paste to an undershirt or some other thin fabric like flannelette. For children, a cotton terry towel can be used.
  • The ratio of ingredients can be adjusted if necessary to accommodate lower tolerance levels (it can get uncomfortable), but remember the purpose is to draw heat (and the illness) to the surface.
  • This stuff is no joke–you really do need to watch for blisters, especially on tender skin. Do not fall asleep with this on–set the alarm clock if you’re treating yourself (for 5 minute intervals).
  • Along with colds & flus, these were also commonly used for treating sore muscles, arthritis, treatment of back pain, poor circulation and gout (and many more things I’m sure). Simply apply to the area afflicted.

RELATED POSTS
 
et2

et2

TB Fanatic
Kroger yesterday canned goods picked over. No bacon, Costco today, Kirkland canned tuna out ... again. No toilet paper or paper towel. Fresh fruits ... none. Lots of meat. Spam almost gone, Vienna sausage almost gone, rice almost gone, flour and sugar getting low, dried fruits low, oatmeal almost gone, honey almost gone.
 
briches

briches

Veteran Member
Did a Walmart run for college age son today. We actually were able to get a container of Clorox wipes as well as a Clorox with bleach cleaner. Limit of one per person. The stocker said they got just a few in. They flew off the shelf as fast as he put them out.
We got lucky.
Store seemed well stocked (except for cleaning supplies)
Virginia.
 
Capt. Eddie

Capt. Eddie

Veteran Member
psychgirl said:
One thing I meant to mention is canned Salmon!
Not only are the brands and selection bextvto nothing but since when, did canned salmon get so pricey??

I love salmon patties and usually only have 4-5 cans around since I don’t make them that often. I’m low, down to two cans so went looking.

They’re at least 3x as expensive now and the shelf only had 3 or 4 cans of them left , the price on sale, at Kroger, was 4$ and change!
Click to expand...
If you have a canning set up can your own. I've done it with carp, drum, bass, even some odds and ends of blue gill and crappie. Haven't tried catfish since I LOVE it fried, but I'm confident it would be good to.

Pint jars....

Fill half way with chunks of skinless fish

Add:
1tsp veg. oil
1tsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp noniodized salt
1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning

Fill to shoulder of jar with more fish

Process at 10 lbs for 100 minutes.

You can go with all Old Bay or all salt to taste. A couple drops of crab boil is nice also, depending on your taste.

DO NOT add any liquid other than the oil and vinegar, it makes it's own juice.

Asian carp makes delicious "crab" cakes.

20200511_080148.jpg
 
greysage

greysage

On The Level
Went to my regular Chittenden County, Vt. Hannafords this morning. It seems as though Monday is the day to go there. For the current situation, it was well stocked again, better than last week.

The odd thing was it appeared as though they had at least a dozen contractors in the store stocking what Hannaford employees normally would. It was clearly 2 groups with a supervisor and lead with what looked like brand new workers. The were in regular street clothes, looked a little older, slower, and not quite as nice Hannaford employees. They also look like locals, so not sure why weren't hired or what was up. Because they've got we are hiring signs up with all the c19 signs.

That just stuck out to me. Shopped there for years haven't seen anything like it. Maybe it's so well stocked because of this. Maybe distributors are doing more stocking as stuff comes to them?

Anyway, got all I wanted and more. Checked for Spam, none. They did have a lot of Libby's Corned Beef canned. By a lot I mean a couple dozen cans. Also looked for canned chicken broth or stock to supplement my box stock of the same. There were 2 small cans of College Inn broth and that was it. Plenty of boxed stuff. If you're looking for canned soup, good luck, still pretty sparse looking, didn't notice what was there. The store brand 'natural' kielbasas were not there. Plenty of eggs, few choices still. Got a Hannaford 18 pack of large white.

Produce was well stocked. Was able to get bagged washed baby carrots finally. Plenty of broccoli too.
 
Tristan

Tristan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
frazbo said:
Our local groc store in this little part of heaven, Ozarks, normally has a brand of smoked, sliced beef brisket. Been buying a 3-4 pound pkg. forever for about 14.00-15.00 per pkg. Called today and wanted to get 8 pkgs to can up...it's that good. She tells me they no longer get those pkgs, but get a whole brisket, about 7lbs and slice it up themselves...now selling in one pound pkgs...Nope...need bulk amt. She tells me that their meat orders are now cut in about half, if they're lucky.

So I ask about just getting the whole brisket and they slice it (no charge)...6 3/4 lbs...$94.85!
Buying it in the 3-4 lb pkg, at about 14.00-15.00 would normally have cost me about 45.00 compared to approx the 6 3/4-7lb whole brisket for 94.85.

That's an increase of about 50.00 from just last week or so.

You know that little voice that says: Do it NOW! I think I, myself, need to pay attention more often now...I'm so bummed.
Click to expand...


You may look back in a bit and lament you didn't invest the hundred bucks.

Or, not.

Like so many things, ya pays yer money and takes yer chances.
 
P

parsonswife

Veteran Member
greysage said:
Went to my regular Chittenden County, Vt. Hannafords this morning. It seems as though Monday is the day to go there. For the current situation, it was well stocked again, better than last week.

The odd thing was it appeared as though they had at least a dozen contractors in the store stocking what Hannaford employees normally would. It was clearly 2 groups with a supervisor and lead with what looked like brand new workers. The were in regular street clothes, looked a little older, slower, and not quite as nice Hannaford employees. They also look like locals, so not sure why weren't hired or what was up. Because they've got we are hiring signs up with all the c19 signs.

That just stuck out to me. Shopped there for years haven't seen anything like it. Maybe it's so well stocked because of this. Maybe distributors are doing more stocking as stuff comes to them?

Anyway, got all I wanted and more. Checked for Spam, none. They did have a lot of Libby's Corned Beef canned. By a lot I mean a couple dozen cans. Also looked for canned chicken broth or stock to supplement my box stock of the same. There were 2 small cans of College Inn broth and that was it. Plenty of boxed stuff. If you're looking for canned soup, good luck, still pretty sparse looking, didn't notice what was there. The store brand 'natural' kielbasas were not there. Plenty of eggs, few choices still. Got a Hannaford 18 pack of large white.

Produce was well stocked. Was able to get bagged washed baby carrots finally. Plenty of broccoli too.
Click to expand...
New workers may be only a reset team. I run several reset merchandise teams. We go from store to store stocking, labeling and pulling discontinued or outdated items. My crew is usually older crowd who work part time to fill in gaps of income. Stores like us cause there are no benefits to pay.
 
L

LibertyMom

Senior Member
Sent DS to the store to buy peroxide today. Our dogs got sprayed by a skunk twice about a week apart. We had about gotten rid of the odor from the first attack when the second happened and the smell is still lingering. (No, the culprit doesn’t live on our property but there are woods nearby.) We’ve had success with Dawn and vinegar before, but several have recommended peroxide.

Walmart was completely out. Walgreens only had small bottles and a 1 per person limit. Finally found regular size at CVS. I knew isopropyl alcohol was in short supply though I do see it from time to time. Hadn’t realized peroxide was too.

(Western VA suburb of Washington DC)
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
Peroxide, baking soda and Dawn. About as foolproof as you can get...which means it at least allows a double coated Border Collie to be tolerated inside the house within 24 hours. You'll still get lingering whiffs, especially if they get damp/wet, for weeks!

Summerthyme
 
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S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
As far as shortages,.. not groceries, but we were just in a Tractor Supply. Fortunately, they were well stocked on the dairy cleansers we needed, but wow! The whole store looked like a failed attempt to make it look like their stock trucks are still arriving on time! One entire aisle was taken up by deer carts... fully assembled and lined up side by side to take up maximum room... about 15 feet from the registers, too, so as little as I know about retail, that's gotta be prime real estate. Other front areas had single layers of bulky boxed barbeques (normally, they're outside) and other obvious attempts to fill space.

Hubby was able to get 24 fiberglass fenceposts, but only left about 6 for the next guy. The "trash and treasures" shelves at the front of the store, normally piled high with everything from cheapish (usable... maybe one step up from Harbor Freight) Chinese tool to dog toys to stuffed animals were nearly empty.

Ditto the usual spots next to the registers.

I'm more and more convinced Christmas shopping is going to be a *real* shock for most folks this year. I bought stocking stuffers back in February for the grandkids, thinking even then that the decent stocks of stuff like puzzles, little crystal growing kits, coloring books, paints, etc were likely going to disappear by Thanksgiving. It's looking like I was right...

Summerthyme
 
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rafter

rafter

Since 1999
Walmart this morning...... Next to no paper plates. There was 4 pkgs and I took one of them.

Next to no gatorade...a kid walked by that worked there and I asked him about it...he said they just aren't getting any in.

No sugar.

Soup looked better than it had, but not full. Other canned veggies were spotty. Pasta ok, rice ok.

They had a half a case of hot tamales, so bought a couple cans of those.

Meat cases...soso, not full. Freezer had a lot of empty shelves, especially pizza and convenient stuff....guess people still haven't learned how to cook.

Walked across the rest of the store...full of school supplies. Clothing depts looked normal as far as full and the racks were normal, not spaced out. Other parts of the store looked a little better but far from normal. Still had a lot of grills which I was surprised about since they had none at the beginning of summer.
 
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