Food is not expensive

[ragandbonewoman]

That is it really. I suppose I’m curious as to whether people agree or disagree with me. This follows a conversation I’ve just had with a friend where we disagreed on this point, but it’s something I’ve really noticed as things (life, not just food) have become more expensive. Lots and lots of people complaining that food is “so expensive” We are actually in the fortunate position of being able to spend less than the majority of the rest of the world (relative to our income) to follow a healthy diet.

Yes food has gone up. But (and I admit this is an anecdotal observation) food waste is prolific. I think we need to change our outlook. We should be prepared to pay more, especially for meat, to ensure that suppliers, farmers, animal welfare, are all getting a fair deal. I’ve always found it ridiculous that you can buy a whole chicken for £5! How?! And then people readily admit they throw half of it away.

Is this unreasonable? Food is important. People on the absolute breadline might have little choice, but for those that can take a little slack from elsewhere, they should. And stop complaining that you can’t get a tin of beans for 9p anymore! Stop throwing food in the bin because you feel like eating something else. Or AIBU?

Not compared to the 1970’s it isn’t. 🤷‍♀️

Possibly irrelevant in terms of what the CMA found, but not irrelevant in general…actually one of the most relevant factors in the perception of expensive groceries.

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/poorest-hit-hardest-by-inflation-as-budget-groceries-soar-in-price-awGN66n1RaHz

I was quite ashamed that, until I had this pointed out to me, I was a bit like…what’s a 15% hike on something I could already afford, and will keep on affording? You need to pay a decent price for decent food, animal welfare, etc etc etc.

I’d totally overlooked that the things I buy are already towards the upper end of the price scale, and so an increase of a couple of quid makes up a smaller proportion of the price I was already paying, and so less pain felt. If it does become a bit pricey or uncomfortable, I can downshift to a less expensive line. There’s wiggle room.

IF, however, you are already buying the budget ranges, any price increase is likely to constitute a bigger proportional increase in price…21% in this article from 2023…goodness knows what it sits at now. I’m not sure any of us could really comfortably absorb that significant an increase in our grocery bills…and that’s if if we have other areas we could sacrifice, like 4 holidays a year, 2 cars, Sky, what-have-you.

Now imagine you’re in a position where every pound needs to be budgeted for. The £50/week you were spending was what you had. Things increasing to £60/week just isn’t possible….but there’s literally nowhere to go. You’re buying the cheapest range. What do you do?

Budget ranges increasing in price at a greater rate, even just proportionally, than others is far from irrelevant.

@FullOfLemons
Tesco increasing profits by 30% in 23/24 but not profiteering - ok.

So why is price increases aimed at what we buy the most of? which you agree is happening.

As i said, regulators have been giving clean bills of health to the industries they regulate for many years.

Public believe the supermarkets profiteer, thats important too.

It was the CMA's Veterinary report that was met with disapproval by consumer groups, apologises.

Once again, a regulatory that backs the industry investigated... profits come first & it'll only get worse as Labour have ordered the regulators to promote growth first.

@Absolutely45

No idea where you get the 30% number from. Which specific profit numbers are you looking at ? A link would be helpful.

I am not here to either explain supermarket pricing strategy or defend it

However in terms of the CMA and their findings with respect to supermarket profitability it seems they are right. You haven’t disputed either the logic or the numbers in their report. And it seems neither did any of the consumer groups you were thinking of.

I do share your low opinion of our regulators (including the CMA) and agree it will get worse as their remit is expanded to include growth, however thats not what this thread is about.

Absolutely. Ime food prices may be cheaper than other countries, but if what you've always eaten has consistently been going up on price, food shopping seems very expensive. For example, soft cheese spread was 49p pre covid, is now £1+

I've never been a fan of cheap bread but a nicer loaf is £3 v about £1.80 in 2021.

So food is expensive compared to previous years, even if it's cheaper in UK compared to other regions.

I've given up on shop bread altogether. Waitress no longer seem to stock Heyford, and the only two bakeries in my town charge £4.50 for a large wholemeal loaf. Since January I buy a 16kg sack of wholemeal flour from a local mill and make my own, early every Sunday morning.

It's delicious, non-upf and works out about £1 for an 800gm loaf.

Are you in the UK? It's 5 a day here love (because most of us can't even manage 3) and the 30 different foods is not part of the UK food model. The UK food model is called the Eatwell Guide.

Ok from one of those poor folk, I buy the same things through neccessity, and over half the items I get ( baked beans, tinned chick peas, the cheapest bags broken rice etc) have more than doubled in price.And the shrinkflation is becomng a joke, so many things have a third less food in them for double the price. I shop roughly every 6 to 8 weeks as I have to factor in the bus trip and thats not cheap, and every time I shop prices go up and up and up. There are no 2nd car, 4 holidays, tv subs to cut down on for wiggle room so we skip meals. An online friend who only shops at M & S reported that most of her shop has stayed the same price.

Hi could you share more about lunchbox cake please?

It's a basic vegan sponge batter (cheap as no eggs or butter) with added fruit - usually either sliced apples or plums at the bottom of the tin, or frozen raspberries or blueberries with some lemon zest mixed in to the batter. Baked in a square tin to make it cut into lunchbox sized pieces. Wrap each piece in greaseproof paper and ta dahhh, lunchbox cake.

Food can be cheap but quality food is expensive. I've got a foster son who has lived with me for about 5 months. When he first came he wanted a lot of carbs and sugar. Now he's eating and enjoying different proteins like salmon, chicken, steak and tuna steaks, lots of different fruits he had not had before and vegetables and salads as well as a portion of carbs each day. He loves berries and they cost a lot but he never got them before and now he can't eat enough. The loads of toast, chocolate spread, jam, bread and spread and pasta with just tomato sauce he used to eat was probably very cheap but not very nutritional.

So your a farmer is that it.

I take it your a farmer.

Food is much more expensive than it was, as are most things. People tend to comment more on the cost increase in food because they encounter it on a regular and visible basis. Some people on tight budgets are struggling to eat properly and healthily. They don't have the luxury of being 'prepared to pay more', as they don't have any more.
I think preaching to people about paying more for meat is particularly unreasonable.
If people can't afford to eat healthily, and you're the sort of busy body who wants to tell them how they should do better, the advice should surely be to reduce or cut out meat altogether, and focus on high quality plant foods which give a lot more value for money and health.

I am soon to be an empty nester and I’m going to be setting myself the task of spending £40 per week on food. I’ve cancelled my Tesco saver DD and will do all my food shopping in Lidl/Aldi.

I have a family of 4 to feed including 2 teenagers who are constantly hungry.
We shop at Aldi / Lidl. We try to have a few days meat-free per week. I batch cook at lot.

Im horrified to realise that I pay more for food per month than on my mortgage. That does include other things like toilet roll, etc but even so!! I used to be able to get a weekly shop for us all well under £100 per week but those days are long gone.

Food prices are rising on a weekly basis I’ve noticed.

Co op is bloody expensive. I wish our local one would turn into a Lidl.

I know it’s not for main shopping but it’s an expensive way to top up.

How do you define expensive then op? Curious?

For us it's our second highest monthly outgoing after our mortgage. IT's gone up significantly in the last few years. It's cheaper in the UK than some other countries but in those countries wages are generally also a lot higher or taxes are lower.

Food is by far our biggest monthly expense (though we are mortgage free).

I dont understand either. Are there special shops for people who can cook? I admit i dont much like supermarkets but dont have much choice now as i dont drive .
I looked after a friends son yesterday. Hes only 9 but ate as much as me! How people manage in school holidays with multiple children to feed is beyond me.