Folks, things have been at a rather hectic pace ever since asparagus came into season. So a bit of an update. Food acquisition and preserving continues to be our main focus. The canners have been going a few times weekly and the dehydrators almost daily.
A few observations:
1. strawberries ($5/qt) and corn ($8/doz) - not impressed and those are prices from farm stands
2. produce prices are up but quality is way down in the grocery stores
3. milk and milk products have increased
4. sugar always sold in 5 lb (2.26 kg) bags is now 2 kg (4.4 lb) but the price has stayed the same/increased
5. farm stands especially direct from the farmer not farmer's markets continue to be the best value
6. meats in general have increase but there's still a lot of good sales especially pork
7. food shortages:
- mustard seed increased $1.99 in less than 4 hr on Amazon then wasn't available by evening
- yellow mustard is scarce in some stores here and reports are shortages in Michigan
- white sugar is in short supply but we are still able to find it, some areas you can't find it
- some shelves are bare but possibly due to normal retail operations
8. hot & humid temperature means tomatoes, peppers, and many edible weeks are very productive
9. canning jars are available but full increased price; Bernardin lids unavailable at Dollarama over 1 mth
10. watermelon has actually decreased in price, great value for fresh eating or preserving
11. dried pastas are now a victim of shrinkflation
12. rice ($10.99/8kg/18 lb) and dried beans/lentils ($3.49/900 g) have remained the same
13. yellow corn is virtually non-existent here anymore, peaches&cream it is but not the best for preserving
Overall, while we are seeing food price increases but for the most part they aren't affecting us much but we really don't shop much in the grocery stores. I have reduced my milk purchases to 4% whole milk and heavy whipping cream which allows me to make a wide range of milk products without the extra cost of those products. I have increased foraging a bit especially mullein (awesome for colds/flu), plantain and nettle. Dandelions seem to be few and far between with this heat. Our chickens and beef are on schedule but we will have fewer chickens this year. I have been slowly stocking my fishing gear, something I should have done awhile ago.
Again folks, I want to reiterate my goal is to give information not fear. Prep what you can, stock what you can BUT always with a purpose NEVER fear!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2022
0 food lovers commented:
Post a Comment