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Anyone notice that food prices are quite a bit higher then they were 3 months ago? I have. And I'm wondering why. One of the main reasons has always been transportation costs. But fuel prices are the lowest they've been in 10 years. And my social security check for the first time didn't include a cost of living increase. They say that there hasn't been any increase.
I just came back from the west coast and noticed in places like Safeway and Target that food prices are about 30% lower(on average) than they are here. And it's not just "certain" items that are higher here...it seems to be across the board( dairy, meat,fruits and vegetables, canned foods, frozen foods paper products etc...). Grant it there are usually one or two things in most grocery stores here that are a good deal as a draw to pull people in. But then you look at the rest of what they have to offer in the store and I for one cringe. Of course there is not much I can do about it except complain. Are the grocery stores gouging us because they can?
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"Are the grocery stores gouging us because they can?" Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! Give the man a cigar.
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One of the main reasons has always been transportation costs. But fuel prices are the lowest they've been in 10 years.
I work with a number of freight carriers and here are there recent price changes:
FedEx - substantially lowered shipping rates
UPS - about the same
Aloha Cargo - about the same, a few pennies a pound lower
Unnamed local delivery service - raised prices, why? I was told insurance costs.
If you can get a anyone to give you a reason for food price increases, I would love to hear it. As you can see, some shipping costs have gone up, but mostly down.
As a shipper I am also charged a "fuel surcharge." This is an additional cost on the carriers base rate to increase our cost when fuel prices go up. Every once in awhile I will ask one of my carriers for their base rate, that is, what is the cost of fuel when the surcharge is zero? As usual, I received no answer. The real answer? The surcharge is made up, based on nothing so they can continue to add mystery charges to our invoices.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
Great question Makuu, yes they can.
Why haven't The rates on shipping to or from the islands (young brothers) decreased like they rose due to the oil and gas prices, or have they? High spending Tourism and ebt help may play a larger role on our local food prices in our stores,farmers markets, and restaurants than oil and gas now day's?
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Anyone notice that food prices are quite a bit higher then they were 3 months ago?
If only there were some way to grow food on the island...
The real answer? The surcharge is made up
Correct: it's raised when fuel costs go up, but not lowered when fuel costs go down.
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I think it depends on what you are getting and where.... and where on the west coast you are comparing to. Buy your produce at the farmers market (Makuu is nice) Pick up some things at costco in Kona when you are on that side, then pick up other stuff as needed/on sale at Target, Safeway, KTA, Malama, etc. Get specialty items at Island Naturals. Our food prices have stayed roughly the same but we have traded some items for others since moving here. Some things are cheaper here (papaya, bananas, rambutan, longon, fish, soursop) some things are more expensive (nuts, snack foods, candies, ice cream, cilantro, beans, pasta, bread)
Now dog food.. That's another story.
FYI, we never shop at Safeway out here. it's too expensive.
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what you are getting and where
Driving all over town to save a few bucks on groceries means a substantial commitment of time and gas; there has to be a better way.
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quote:
Originally posted by EvilOctopus
FYI, we never shop at Safeway out here. it's too expensive.
With the member card, some things at Safeway aren't too bad. Safeway was bought out by Albertsons.
http://www.albertsons.com/albertsons-and...ansaction/
Around the Seattle and Portland area, Albertsons was always more expensive and I never liked their stores, always went somewhere else. Safeway is best for entertainment, watching tourists going up and down the aisles with their arms crossed, reaching for something and seeing the price in horror. Makes me laugh every time.
Fact is even with all the lip service for promoting local agriculture, this island is importing more than the 90% it used to, it is probably 95% imported with local beef going away. Fuel costs have gone down but wages and health benefits have gone up. Due to Jones Act, almost all produce is being imported from California or Chile products shipped to California to be shipped here. Produce has to be imported here on container ships and anybody that moved here from the mainland knows Matson and Pasha only depart from a few main ports. This also adds longshoremen wages and benefits into the transportation cost and California is still experiencing a major drought.
Walmart prices have been going down, some cereal for less than $4, canned goods are the cheapest there although they always looked like they were being used for deck bowling on the container ship. Walmart is somehow passing on reduced fuel costs while the other places aren't.
"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*
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there recently was an article on msn about food prices in canada. people were just going nuts with the dramatic increase. one example showed a sign for a cucumber for 6 dollars (canadian). i see it every time i go to the store. as far as the SSI lack of increase that is total bs. the elderly need food, utilities, medicine,gas. they don't need electronics and the other things the CPI is based on to figure social security increases. again, it is just a game by the government, but to screw the elderly is criminal...
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lquade: you have no idea how out of control it is in Canada. First it was high fuel costs inflating prices on imported goods, then fuel prices dropped, but the Canadian dollar dropped with it so imported food (most fresh winter produce) increased further. Thank God this is partly offset for me by having a rental property in Hawai'i bringing in rent in USD. When we retire I'm not sure how this will all work out. CPI is a complete con game in both countries. More lies to keep the masses complacent.
Just call me Mike
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Mike
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