FOOD Report food & grocery shortages / price increases here: 2022 Edition

[anna43]

I have continued buying to replace what I've used and ignored prices because this is a prepping issue. I still refuse to buy canned vegetable or fruits locally because the prices are ridiculously high. More than $1 more than Aldi or Dollar General. However, for extras or wants I have skipped buying at these prices. The meat counter is for "window shopping" not buying!! I just checked my bacon bits and the jars are plastic.

I recently had the sole come loose on the New Balance shoes I wear to the garden and super glued it back in place. Then I tripped over some wire and damaged a newer pair and super glued it too.

With all of the credit card and debit card machines being down lately at various locations, cash is king. I was at CVS one day and their credit card machine was down. Fortunately I had the $130 cash so was able to buy what I'd needed.

I mentioned to my sister that she should carry some cash and she said that she always kept a $20 in her purse. I asked her how far that would go if the machines were down for more than a day. She just moved from her house to a senior apartment complex and is still feeling her way in her new situation and isn't thinking about prepping. Also, in an apartment she doesn't have much storage space. I suggested under the bed boxes for canned goods.

 

[bluelady]

On the coffeemaker woes... after our third 1 cup coffee maker 8n under 2 years died (this one highly rated at Amazon... it
lasted 73 days!) I bought him a French press... no electricity needed, has its own filter, washes up easily...

For households with just one or two coffee drinkers, I'd never use anything else.

Summerthyme

Great for making tea, also. We buy loose in bulk, and grow mints & other herbs.

 

[Shotsie]

I heard on the news that a spokesperson for Kraft Heinz said there will be another increase in prices in the next few weeks.

 

[ainitfunny]

I have continued buying to replace what I've used and ignored prices because this is a prepping issue. I still refuse to buy canned vegetable or fruits locally because the prices are ridiculously high. More than $1 more than Aldi or Dollar General. However, for extras or wants I have skipped buying at these prices. The meat counter is for "window shopping" not buying!! I just checked my bacon bits and the jars are plastic.

I recently had the sole come loose on the New Balance shoes I wear to the garden and super glued it back in place. Then I tripped over some wire and damaged a newer pair and super glued it too.

With all of the credit card and debit card machines being down lately at various locations, cash is king. I was at CVS one day and their credit card machine was down. Fortunately I had the $130 cash so was able to buy what I'd needed.

I mentioned to my sister that she should carry some cash and she said that she always kept a $20 in her purse. I asked her how far that would go if the machines were down for more than a day. She just moved from her house to a senior apartment complex and is still feeling her way in her new situation and isn't thinking about prepping. Also, in an apartment she doesn't have much storage space. I suggested under the bed boxes for canned goods.

You are making a mistake. The prices sre going to go UP, NOT DOWN. They will never again be as cheap as they were, nor even as cheap as they are TODAY.

Nickle Hershey bars and 5 cent gum never came back. Neither did 10 cent cup of coffee in a restaurant. Now donuts are not a nickle or 10 cents like I remember them, but $1.25 each in Fred Meyer Bakery, and apples are not 5 or 10 cents each like they were, they are $1 to $1.50 each!

 

[psychgirl]

Our Indiana Kroger was fully stocked yesterday even the womens hygiene items that being talked about. There was nothing lacking in that aisle, either. I peeked at it just to see for myself

Prices are still going up but no shortages here.

 

[TxGal]

On the coffeemaker woes... after our third 1 cup coffee maker 8n under 2 years died (this one highly rated at Amazon... it
lasted 73 days!) I bought him a French press... no electricity needed, has its own filter, washes up easily...

For households with just one or two coffee drinkers, I'd never use anything else.

Summerthyme

Summerthyme,

Can you recommend any particular brand of French press? I rarely drink coffee anymore, but DH still does. I think it would make sense to give that a try.

 

[Terrwyn]

I have continued buying to replace what I've used and ignored prices because this is a prepping issue. I still refuse to buy canned vegetable or fruits locally because the prices are ridiculously high. More than $1 more than Aldi or Dollar General. However, for extras or wants I have skipped buying at these prices. The meat counter is for "window shopping" not buying!! I just checked my bacon bits and the jars are plastic.

I recently had the sole come loose on the New Balance shoes I wear to the garden and super glued it back in place. Then I tripped over some wire and damaged a newer pair and super glued it too.

With all of the credit card and debit card machines being down lately at various locations, cash is king. I was at CVS one day and their credit card machine was down. Fortunately I had the $130 cash so was able to buy what I'd needed.

I mentioned to my sister that she should carry some cash and she said that she always kept a $20 in her purse. I asked her how far that would go if the machines were down for more than a day. She just moved from her house to a senior apartment complex and is still feeling her way in her new situation and isn't thinking about prepping. Also, in an apartment she doesn't have much storage space. I suggested under the bed boxes for canned goods.

I try to get glass jars too. That's why I buy my peanut butter at Vitacost. Several brands are glass.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I got a notice from Sam's this morning telling me that everything on my list I ordered, yesterday, was "Out Of Stock", except for 2 cases of Bush's pinto beans! When I placed my order, yesterday, I was yold that almost everything I wanted was "Instore Only" pickup, and now, this! Tupelo, MS. I've never ordered anything from Sam's, and was told it was out of stock! Is this new, or does it happen often?

 

[Slydersan]

Summerthyme,

Can you recommend any particular brand of French press? I rarely drink coffee anymore, but DH still does. I think it would make sense to give that a try.

Stanley (the thermos company) makes a pretty beefy and big one -48oz. It's insulated so it's supposed to keep your coffee hot for a while too. I don't have one yet, but I plan on ordering one this weekend. Lots of good reviews on it. Not cheap, but seems like it's worth it.

Classic Stay Hot French Press | 48 OZ

Shop Stanley insulated drinkware & gear! The Stanley Classic Vacuum French Press is designed to make and keep that caffeinated coffee hot.

www.stanley1913.com

 

[TxGal]

Stanley (the thermos company) makes a pretty beefy and big one -48oz. It's insulated so it's supposed to keep your coffee hot for a while too. I don't have one yet, but I plan on ordering one this weekend. Lots of good reviews on it. Not cheap, but seems like it's worth it.

Classic Stay Hot French Press | 48 OZ

Shop Stanley insulated drinkware & gear! The Stanley Classic Vacuum French Press is designed to make and keep that caffeinated coffee hot.

www.stanley1913.com

Thanks for that. We have a Stanley thermos, and it is outstanding, the quality is the best. I'd trust them for a coffee press, too!

 

[nomifyle]

Speaking of bacon bits, I buy the large bag. I use to keep it in the fridg with no problem, but awhile back i reached in the bag and it was all moldy looking. Now I keep my bacon bits in the freezer. I like the quality of the ones in the bag, just like real bacon.

 

[libertylover]

We use a Bodum coffee press. Made in Portugal. It works great. The only draw back is having to reheat the last cup of coffee.

 

[nomifyle]

Walmart's 12 pack case of Butterfield Farms canned ham has just gone up from 11.40 to 18.64. Its been the 11.40 price for the longest time and I've taken advantage of it. No more though, too high for me. For someone who is looking for canned ham and don't have any this might be the time to buy, its not going to get lower.

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

I have continued buying to replace what I've used and ignored prices because this is a prepping issue. I still refuse to buy canned vegetable or fruits locally because the prices are ridiculously high. More than $1 more than Aldi or Dollar General. However, for extras or wants I have skipped buying at these prices. The meat counter is for "window shopping" not buying!! I just checked my bacon bits and the jars are plastic.

I recently had the sole come loose on the New Balance shoes I wear to the garden and super glued it back in place. Then I tripped over some wire and damaged a newer pair and super glued it too.

With all of the credit card and debit card machines being down lately at various locations, cash is king. I was at CVS one day and their credit card machine was down. Fortunately I had the $130 cash so was able to buy what I'd needed.

I mentioned to my sister that she should carry some cash and she said that she always kept a $20 in her purse. I asked her how far that would go if the machines were down for more than a day. She just moved from her house to a senior apartment complex and is still feeling her way in her new situation and isn't thinking about prepping. Also, in an apartment she doesn't have much storage space. I suggested under the bed boxes for canned goods.

I used to run marathons, and runners are very hard on their shoes. I have never heard of a runner who was running in New Balance running shoes who pulled the soles loose on their running shoes.

They have always been considered a reputable company that built a quality shoe.

Has that changed?

 

[Southside]

went to walmart this morning, the shelves were fairly stocked but the prices suck.

This particular Walmart has a broken air conditioner and big buckets everywhere where rain water was pouring in last night.

so, yeah...fun.

Oh man, wet product will kill profitability.
Throw it all out.

 

[Southside]

Speaking of bacon bits, I buy the large bag. I use to keep it in the fridg with no problem, but awhile back i reached in the bag and it was all moldy looking. Now I keep my bacon bits in the freezer. I like the quality of the ones in the bag, just like real bacon.

Bacon bits in the fridge MUST have desiccants in the bag.
Too much moisture to not get mold @ 40 degrees.

 

[nomifyle]

Bacon bits in the fridge MUST have desiccants in the bag.
Too much moisture to not get mold @ 40 degrees.

There was one in the package, but it might have been a year or two old.

 

[Millwright]

I have never heard of a runner who was running in New Balance running shoes who pulled the soles loose on their running shoes.

Runners tend to stay in fairly new shoes.

 

[nomifyle]

Runners tend to stay in fairly new shoes.

I was never a runner, but a walker for sure. I've always had more than one pair of shoes to alternate with, that way you are not pounding on the same shoe day after day, whether running, walking or just working. I've worn new balance for many years and have yet to wear a pair out, still alternating.

 

[anna43]

I used to run marathons, and runners are very hard on their shoes. I have never heard of a runner who was running in New Balance running shoes who pulled the soles loose on their running shoes.

They have always been considered a reputable company that built a quality shoe.

Has that changed?

The shoes are so expensive I wear them for many years. I damaged the shoe wearing it in the garden which is the last stop for my shoes. I don't in any way blame New Balance!!

 

[Millwright]

Tenni-shoe rotation.

Clean and new...when I need to look respectable. (at least as much as I'm capable of)

General running around.

Work

Under the bunk at deer camp, for going in the lake.

From there, they seem to just disintegrate.

 

[energy_wave]

Another meat score at my local store. Pork today and chicken a few days ago. Don't buy it when you need it, buy when you don't. I'm pulling meat from the freezer from 2017 and the price difference is shockingly low compared to now, but I still made out pretty good on this batch. I need some crock pot country style ribs with BBQ sauce and onions.

3.59 lbs of country style ribs for $7.10 and 2.34 lbs of chicken legs for 1.61. I'll season and bake the chicken, pull the meat off the bones and boil them down for soup stock. The ribs are like 10 to 12 dinners for me. I fill up on 3/4 plate full of vegs and a little meat. Sour cream is one of my major food groups.

 

[PinkRoses]

OK here's a new one -

I had to go to CVS to deposit money into my checking account and decided to stop at Dollar Tree - believe it or not, their pizza sauce is the best of all those I've tried, apart from homemade.

There was a sign on the door that said their new hours are from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., no further explanation apart from "Sorry for the inconvenience." There were also several "help wanted" signs in the windows.

I did find an open Dollar Tree (and got the last 9 jars of pizza sauce), but the shelves were half empty and there was only one employee in the entire store who was doing everything.

Is this a sign of things to come? I assume either they can't find people who want to work and/or as their stock becomes depleted and can't be replenished maybe it's not worth their while to stay open for 10-12 hours a day?

 

[John Deere Girl]

OK here's a new one -

I had to go to CVS to deposit money into my checking account and decided to stop at Dollar Tree - believe it or not, their pizza sauce is the best of all those I've tried, apart from homemade.

There was a sign on the door that said their new hours are from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., no further explanation apart from "Sorry for the inconvenience." There were also several "help wanted" signs in the windows.

I did find an open Dollar Tree (and got the last 9 jars of pizza sauce), but the shelves were half empty and there was only one employee in the entire store who was doing everything.

Is this a sign of things to come? I assume either they can't find people who want to work and/or as their stock becomes depleted and can't be replenished maybe it's not worth their while to stay open for 10-12 hours a day?

This is happening in the towns around us too. It's stores and restaurants too.

 

[PinkRoses]

This is happening in the towns around us too. It's stores and restaurants too.

I've seen restaurants cut their hours back and close a couple of hours earlier, but my gosh, open three hours a day???

Every place has "help wanted" signs; I guess no one wants to work. I was outside a supermarket and a young, healthy looking woman asked me for "a couple of dollars." I told her I didn't carry cash, but helpfully pointed out the "help wanted" sign in the window.

 

[Dm19cm]

I went to the Vallejo Costco this afternoon for one of their rotisserie chickens to serve for dinner. They had a sign saying they had no chickens and apologized for any inconvenience. I've never seen that happen before. Everything else looked well stocked. Just the rotisserie chicken were empty. I was disappointed since I had already made the sides to go with a chicken dinner and had been wanting one for a few days but what can you do? Fortunately, I had made an apple pie for dessert so my trauma was short lived...but, I immediately thought...supply chain issues! Buckle up ny friends

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

Our local Dollar Tree does not hire full time employees - only part time employees who get little money per hour, few hours per day but many days per week, and no bennies.

With gas as high as it is, as low as Dollar Tree pays, and as few hours per day as Dollar Tree typically allows a person to work (most are not allowed to work over 4 hours a day) it is no wonder they cannot get anyone to work for them.

They would do better if they guaranteed their workers at least two 8 hour work days (with a designated lunch time and two 15 minute breaks) each week. It would not be more hours that the employee worked, and they employee still would not get bennies, but if they had two full days of work (and the pay that goes along with work), where they didn’t spend all their time in the car and face such high gas costs for so few paid hours on the jub - they might find employees to work for them.

As it is right now, they are told to work only a few hours, but work five days out of the week.

That runs up commuting costs big time, and eats into the employee’s family time - and all this for less money than they can get on the dole.

 

[John Green]

Sam’s was stocked to the ceiling this morning . I have never seen so many pallets of water bottles and toilet paper in there. Seems I saw a video on here I think by Southerprepper1 talking about back orders coming in to the big box stores but by end of summer major shortages again. Also lots of people with masks again. Don’t know what that’s about.

 

[Ordinary Girl]

Sam’s was stocked to the ceiling this morning . I have never seen so many pallets of water bottles and toilet paper in there. Seems I saw a video on here I think by Southerprepper1 talking about back orders coming in to the big box stores but by end of summer major shortages again. Also lots of people with masks again. Don’t know what that’s about.

Probably stocking for hurricane season?

 

[Donna_in_OK]

Quick post on observations while shopping at Wally this morning trying to do a pantry run.

Most people in the store were either looking at health care (vitamins, otc meds), gardening, or food. I hardly saw anyone in any other parts of the store, and I walked it all. Stacks of 'crap' everywhere, and not the 'crap' I would want to buy. I guess they are trying to get Black Friday all stocked up now. Microwaves, air friers, etc. out the ying-yang.

I use the GV Heavy Whipping Cream for my coffee. The quart size has gone up from a few days ago, and is now over 4.00. It use to be below 3. The water flavors have gone up as well. We use the GV color free, and it is now 2.10 whereas it use to be 1.98.

Lots and lots of mostly stocked shelves, until you looked closely. They took cereal and spread it out to where there was like 1 box in front, then empty behind it. LOTS of 'flavors' missing, both GV and non GV. Practically no GV chips in the store, and the flavor selection of everything else was poor.

The 4 pack of GV canned chicken is almost 10 bucks now. Oh, Southern Prepper 1 commented on Corn Starch shortage. I thought I would pick up more as I do use it as a thickener when I do stir fry. Anyway, none of the GV brand. Small Clabber Girl corn starch.... they had 3 in stock, and now only have 1.

Their coffee, while stocked, wasn't stocked very well and it appears as if prices have increased. I've been trying to replenish as I use to keep my stock up. Seems the decaf (I drink if afternoons) has gone up, but hey my memory of what I paid before is bad.

Frozen veggies: Potatoes were in short supply. Frozen fruits seemed to be okay. Broccoli was OK, peas were OK, mixed veggies were only in large bags. No frozen carrots. No frozen peas and carrots.

Peanut butter was in stock.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Since 98% of everything I tried to order from Sam's said "Out of Stock",or "Can't Be Delivered", I made a list for Cary to pick up at Walmart, yesterday, while picking up his script meds. Walmart had everything I wanted, just not in the bulk sizes I like from Sam's. Guess I'll just need to start buying double and triple at Walmart to make up for it.

 

[PinkRoses]

My Sam's membership expires in a week so I thought I'd stock up on essentials because I want to wait a month or so before I get another free membership rather than pay $45 to renew. Since most of the things I wanted were really heavy (buckets of kitty litter and 30 can cases of Zevia, prices on both being excellent) and I figured the store would be a zoo on Saturday, I decided to do a pick-up order which was supposed to be ready between 5-6. They had everything I wanted except all kinds of cane sugar (apart from individual packets) were OOS. I finally got my ham, and it was under $7 for 2 1/2 pounds, so I got two packages since I just got a freezer.

I went shortly after 5 because I wanted to have my cheap but tasty lunch (pizza, drink, and berry sundae for under $5) and get gas ($4.14 vs. $4.43 at Murphy's). I didn't go through the store, just went to the food court, but as I sat eating I noticed most people's carts were full of crap, not essentials - Apart from a few fools wearing masks (in 95 degree heat!) you'd think everything was normal. At 6:30 I was still waiting, so I went back in to see what was going on. A nice young lady said they were short-staffed because they keep hiring people and after working a day or two they never come back.

The poor young girl who brought my things out busted her butt - I got 8 45# buckets of litter (because the buckets are essentially free, and I store my emergency food supplies in them), and she was really surprised when I gave her a few bucks and told her to get herself a cold drink - I guess most people don't bother, but gosh, she deserved it after loading over 400 pounds worth of stuff!

And yes, it was Southern Prepper who was talking about Walmart being well stocked; he did mention that you should be aware of expiration dates, because a lot of it is old stock they want to get rid of. Hurricane season has nothing to do with it; no hurricanes in TN, as they form over water. He also said that the days of 24/7 Walmarts are over forever.

 

[PinkRoses]

BTW, this video has some interesting ways companies try to hide their shrinkflation:

 

[Voortrekker]

WinCo in Dallas area last week took a power hit and they removed everything frozen and refrigerated into the backroom cold storage.

So...they were out of Siggi's and Tillamook yogurt!

 

[moldy]

Our local Safeway has had a freezer unit or 2 out of service now since Easter. So even if they have ice cream, you have to ask for them to bring it from the back.

And it's not just groceries. I was putting blooming and rooting powder solution on plants today. When mixing it up, I noticed my older one was 'mix 1 tsp per gallon' and the newer one was 'mix 2 tablespoons per gallon.' I don't remember, but I bet I paid the same or more for the newer package (same size) not realizing I was getting 1/6 of the real product.

 

[John Deere Girl]

I received an email today from Amazon stating they are out of my subscription of toilet paper and paper towels, and they have no idea when it will be available again.

 

[annieosage]

There were also several "help wanted" signs in the windows.

Is this a sign of things to come? I assume either they can't find people who want to work and/or as their stock becomes depleted and can't be replenished maybe it's not worth their while to stay open for 10-12 hours a day?

This may be the case where you are, but I can tell you in the L.A. area, people get hired with promises of hours, benefits, etc. and once hired, they don't follow through. There ARE people who want to work and and ready, willing, and able, but once hired they get few hours. Who can survive on 8 hours a week?

Our local Dollar Tree does not hire full time employees - only part time employees who get little money per hour, few hours per day but many days per week, and no bennies.

With gas as high as it is, as low as Dollar Tree pays, and as few hours per day as Dollar Tree typically allows a person to work (most are not allowed to work over 4 hours a day) it is no wonder they cannot get anyone to work for them.

They would do better if they guaranteed their workers at least two 8 hour work days (with a designated lunch time and two 15 minute breaks) each week. It would not be more hours that the employee worked, and they employee still would not get bennies, but if they had two full days of work (and the pay that goes along with work), where they didn’t spend all their time in the car and face such high gas costs for so few paid hours on the jub - they might find employees to work for them.

As it is right now, they are told to work only a few hours, but work five days out of the week.

That runs up commuting costs big time, and eats into the employee’s family time - and all this for less money than they can get on the dole.

Agreed. DD was hired and during the interview she was promised 25-30 hours a week. Still part time so the company (think large corporate coffee place) wouldn't have to worry about medical. She had one week of 28 hours and after that averaged 10-15, one week 8 hours! After speaking to the manager several times and not getting anywhere she quit. She found a job for a small family owned café and coffee shop. It had 2 locations. One on a college campus and one just across the street. It's a little longer commute for her but she gets the hours every week and they love her. They closed down for 3 weeks when school ended. Not sure if it was a break or not enough business during that time but they gave her a nice bonus to help during the time since they wouldn't get paid. Large corporations don't do that and they don't care.

I haven't been in the retail or public service since I was very young but the stories she tells me. Angry people, condescending people, crazy homeless people. For 8 hours a week at $16/ hour ? Hell no. I would leave too and I am pretty sure that company she left is "hiring" or "short staffed" and people see that and think why doesn't anyone want to work. Hers is just a small sample of why they don't want to work- at least work there.

 

[anna43]

I have a friend that works at Dollar General and has run into the same hours issue. She lives next door (literally) to the store so no commute which is good, but hours are still needed to survive. A few weeks ago the store manager was out sick and so everyone got more hours and I guess even the kids that usually stand around all pitched in and the store ran better than it ever had. It wasn't because of a bad manager, they all wanted to support the sick manager which produced a positive work environment.

I think corporations are very shortsighted regarding not hiring full time and paying benefits to keep good workers. The cost of not doing so and being constantly short of workers and never having a well trained crew probably costs them much more than doing the right thing. A typical Dollar General could probably run with a crew of 10 or less full time workers and then hire the temporary crew to supplement. There are always students, retired or other workers wanting parttime work so it would all balance out.

 

[trek2001]

Just got notified by Amazon that one of my subscription items was canceled due to substantial price increase. The item? Vitamin b-12 caps 60 count $32.26. I won’t be buying that.

 

[Terrwyn]

Just got notified by Amazon that one of my subscription items was canceled due to substantial price increase. The item? Vitamin b-12 caps 60 count $32.26. I won’t be buying that.

Strange! I see a lot of good brands at Amazon and elsewhere for less and a larger quantity.