Ebony's Pearls

I was out for my monthly shopping and noticed that canned goods are both in short supply and getting very expensive. I normally keep a stock of canned goods on hand in case of emergencies, usually single item vegetables unsalted. I can use them to extend a stew or add extras quickly when unexpected guests arrive. This is more common than one might think. Sometimes I use them as shortcuts to baking vegetable bread. Last year, we could get canned corn 2 cans for a dollar, and on sale, 3 cans for a dollar. This year, the cheapest brands are a dollar a can.

Meat, however, is cheaper and tends to be labeled organic, or by species and often with the name of the ranch or farm from which it came. I recognize some of those names. They're cheaper at the store than through the food coop. Dairy products have fallen in price, as well.

Seasonal fresh vegetables and fruits are cheaper, too. I bought 4 grapefruits for a dollar, last year it was 2 for a dollar. It's the season still for citrus, so I expected them to be cheaper - but they're much cheaper. Apples are still in season as well, the late apples, and the winter apples.

Flour is still unmercifully high, along with rice, but pasta is cheaper.

Eggs are up in price, too.

I can always buy extra vegetables and can them myself, but not everyone knows how to or has the equipment for it. I suppose they could freeze it, but few people have freezers large enough to hold a sufficient quantity of frozen vegetables.

It astounds me just how volatile our food is, and how little we are doing to keep our food supply stable and affordable.