I had a startling discovery recently about food prices going up.
Obviously, I knew that inflation was bad — and that food inflation was one of the biggest ways people were being being hit. But I didn’t realize how bad it’s been in Arizona.
Apparently, we’ve experienced higher inflation rates than any other state. Some of this was caused by housing, and of course gas prices are dying back down.
But.
Food prices went up an average of 12.6% from 2021 to 2022. And it’s hard to escape increased food prices, unless maybe you have yourself a farm.
I think I didn’t register just how bad it’d gotten because increases were simultaneously small and big
By which I mean, the candy I buy has gone from $1 to $1.25. An extra quarter doesn’t give me much pause, but it’s a 25% increase. Though I definitely noticed an increase in M&Ms — from two for $5 or $6, to two for $7. Ouch.
Other increases are more marked. Eggs were $5.99 here while Mom paid $4-something, and we both shop Kroger-owned stores. Even now, eggs $4.39 for a dozen, whereas Mom got some $2.69 for my mom.
All of these increased prices mean that that the demand at food banks has skyrocketed. Back in June, a local food bank had 78% more families asking for help than the same time the previous. Meanwhile, Feeding America currently estimates that 1 in 9 Arizonans face hunger — and more than a third of them are kids.
The semi-good news is that apparently inflation in Phoenix has cooled in the last few months and is predicted to keep settling down. But I need to stress that a large part of overall inflation rates is based on housing costs.
And the housing market got much calmer (and prices have decreased a little) since the Fed raised rates. So who knows how much of that cooling inflation actually relates to the cost of food?
And even if food price inflation cools way, way down, things are far from fine.
Because even if costs go down for the grocery stores themselves, I’m supremely skeptical that the stores would lower their prices.
So for people already struggling to cover (or who’re already falling short every month)… Well, the good news is that it probably won’t get much worse.
But the bad news is that you’ll still be struggling at the current level. So you have to hope for a raise or get a second job.
And how insane is the idea that people need to work more than one job just to afford basic things like food or housing (since rent has also gone crazy here too*)?
Even before this nasty round of inflation, 34 million Americans (aka a bit more than 10%) experienced food insecurity — that is, not routinely (or maybe ever) having enough money for food.
But now? This past summer 21.6% of the population (about 72.8 million people) reported having some level of food insecurity. Which means that one in every five people in a First World country don’t know if they’ll have enough to eat every month.
It’s utterly ridiculous. It’s something I’d expect to see in a UNICEF ad or one of those dystopian-future books.
So here’s your friendly reminder that food banks can really make dollar stretch (even now). If you’re in a position to give anything — even just $10, or heck even $5 — please consider it. Feeding America used to say that it could get 100 meals out of just $10. I’m guessing now it’s more than 50 to 75. But that’s still a whole lot of people helped!
How bad is the food price inflation in your area? Are you personally getting hit hard?
* Currently, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,350 based on a few different websites I checked. Of course, not every part of Phoenix will have $1,200+ rent. Even in the less-cool areas, the average was $980.
A two-bedroom goes for around $1,450. A room in a house seems to start around $600 (and utilities aren’t included). Meanwhile, our minimum wage ($13.85/hour) means anyone able to work 40-hours a week will earn $2,216 a month… before taxes.
Thank you for reminding people that any donation helps. Our community development group also raises a garden for the food pantry as well as collecting snacks for school children.
A community garden sounds like such a wonderful thing! Any fresh food would, I’m sure, be a nice change of pace, even if there’s not a ton of it.
Wow! I had no idea Arizona had the highest rate of inflation. I thought we had it bad in Arkansas, but for once, some other state has it worse! (Seems like we always wind up on the Worst of lists.)
I’ve been cringing at food prices since last fall, but they seem to have improved slightly since the beginning of the year. It’s helped that lately I seem to buy food that’s either on sale or I’ve got coupons for it or both. Of course, working at a restaurant helps too. Also, I very seldom eat out, unless it’s a special occasion.
As for housing, my rent is $775 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. This is a 1925 building that has no parking lot, pool, gym, etc. My unit has a dishwasher but no washer/dryer, unlike some of the other units. Fine with me, I don’t need the uptick in electricity/water usage. I’ll happily use the laundry room.
The cost of living in this part of the country has a tendency to be lower. Thank Goodness, because we tend to make less, too, so I guess it balances out.
Small mercies, for sure. And definitely smart to avoid the washer/dryer in the utility bill.
I’m glad you get some perks from where you work. But most importantly, I’m glad there’s synergy between your grocery list and sales/coupons. That can make such a difference.
“I’m supremely skeptical that the stores would lower their prices.”
YEP. Considering the reports of CEOs of said stores on earnings calls bragging about record profits and keeping wages low / hours erratic to tie their workers to their employers, I am sure that without some outside pressure, the stores definitely won’t be lowering their prices a penny more than they have to. It’s sickening greed.
We’re lucky enough to be able to absorb the price increases while generally being mindful of other spending but we definitely notice the prices creeping up a little, or a lot.
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Yeah a family of four… I shudder to think of the grocery bill.
Also, I know it attracts investors, but it’s always seemed stupid to brag about record profits while so many people are struggling from your bills. I guess they can, though, because everyone needs food. So there’s not much recourse for shoppers.
Ever since my trip in last October to Arizona I’ve been watching this youtube channel with Big Super where he covers living in Arizona from low income/Section 8 places to middle to some upper class living he shows on this channel. I’ve really enjoyed his content and it’s so interesting to me. I really loved Arizona when i visited and hope i can visit again sometime if possible but the thing that got me is if i was to ever leave Hawaii i considered moving to Arizona. I started researching and i’m seeing a lot of things like not really good public transit system, very hot temperatures and spread out jobs, inflation was also on this list. I don’t know how that would improve my living situation bc sounds like i would be better off at home in Hawaii. At least here i have a support system.
I’ve severely noticed the cost inflation with food. My food bill for January for 4 people was over $1000. Yes, I got us fast food maybe couple of times i was to tired to cook but mostly it was groceries. I’m at Costco 1x a week. This is with me tracking my grocery budget, no red meat, switching to ground turkey and chicken it’s still really really expensive. I could go on and on about it. LOL My apartment complex even started offering a food bank coming once a month which i never used to use before but i’ve gone last few months. The church that is across the street from me also operates a food bank. helps to stretch the dollars I do have.
Honestly, it is very difficult to live in AZ at any time, but especially now with inflation and climate change affecting weather patterns. The entire state ethos is that people do not deserve help, make a buck anywhere you can, and exploitation. And the sprawl just helps people to not associate with others outside their bubble. If my support system was not here I would move somewhere else.
I will say that the ethos is changing somewhat as AZ is getting closer to being a blue state, and definitely the Phoenix Metro area. Big tech companies are bringing a lot of young, usually liberal people to the area.
But yeah, there’s still not enough help being given out. They’re slowly raising minimum wage to $15 — I think it’s about $13.50 right now — but with rent prices where they are, minimum wage workers will still be spending at least 25% but usually closer to 1/3. And that’s *with* a shared place.
One of my biggest pet peeves is that the city installed grass in parks, and some people insist on having real grass at their place. It’s a huge waste of water, given that we live in the dang desert. With the rate we’re expanding and the issues with sufficient rain, it can’t possibly be much longer before we have water shortages. Maybe then some people will finally accept that in the desert, you need to xeriscape.
Thanks for the food for thought Kerry yes, a support system can go a long way mentally, financially sometimes and just ease of mind
Ouch, I’m sorry about the grocery bill. But yeah, it’s pretty unavoidable — especially with kids. Those suckers just keep eating and growing and then eating more!
Unfortunately, Phoenix is a terrible area to be carless in. Now that our population has gone crazy, it seems like public transportation will have to get better. I know we’ve gotten a bunch of money approved in October that will go toward public transportation and airports. But some of the public transportation refers to repair costs. And quite a bit of it to the light rail. Which takes a long time to extend. It’s also slow, since it’s automated and thus pauses at every stop.
I know it’s not ideal pollution-wise, but they need to focus on more frequent buses and/or more bus lines rather than light rail.
My friend’s commute takes an hour because of the wait time between buses. At her previous job, she was only about 10 miles from work but, again, it took an hour to get there. And of course, if you’re waiting for buses, you’re out in the heat.
The sprawl in this area is the pits. I’m in northwest Phoenix, and the closest Eastern suburb is at least 20 miles away. A couple are more than 30 miles from me. But it’s all considered Phoenix Metro.
Yeah, i have a car now a 2012 so i wouldn’t plan on using the transit system but it is good to know what options are available if my car ever did break down and i needed to use it. I also watched a docuseries on Vice where people who live in the outskirts in Arizona were def. trucking in water or scared of experiencing a water crisis which is a very real thing. With record lows in Lake Mead and other water sources I can def. see water restrictions becoming a thing. I also seen that Arizona was leaning more republic which isn’t my thing but from my limited experience people were friendly and nice. The housing is nice. Jobs while spread out don’t seem to be an issue.
Hmmm… I feel like we’re leaning more liberal, but of course, I’m looking at the city rather than the state. Though we did elect a Democrat governor, attorney general and secretary of state. Plus we kept a Democratic (if middle of the road) senator. Admittedly we did lose ground in a couple places, and the leads were lean in the final tallies.
But I feel like a lot of the older folks are the ones casting conservative votes. 27% of our electorate is over 65 years old. And to be crass, they may not be around all that much longer. Meanwhile lots of younger people are flocking to the area, often from liberal states.
We’ll just have to see, I guess.
Inflation has hit hard here in S Florida. The price of houses is crazy and extremely inflated. Rent in a decent area is outrageous; we pay almost $2,200 a month for a one bedroom apt. We sold our house in late 2020 to pull out our equity/life savings, planning on jumping back in once we found a better house, and it didn’t happen. At this point, we feel safe with our money in the bank, and we’re just waiting for the price of houses to come down. This isn’t realistic.
Food prices have easily gone up 10-25% in the Denver, CO area — and some things, like milk, have literally doubled. Eggs are down a bit — the cheapest generic ones are now a “generous” $4.99/dozen!
It’s awful.
I have saved more money this year on groceries because I’ve become so darn fussy about the prices I pay. Lucking into marked-down products helps, too, like the 79 cent/lb spiral-cut ham I found after New Year’s. We had a freezer full of elk meat, but that is nearly gone. I invested in some canned chicken, beef and clams a year ago — and those have been keeping us going, as well. But when I really start running out, it means we go to a more vegan diet. I’ve already cut way back on using eggs.
I don’t mind baking, and simple meals. We’re only eating ‘fahncy’ foods once in a great while, or for holidays. Amazon Warehouse is a wonderful go-to place for imported, canned and more unusual foods.
Abby, how are your inlaws and ex-husband doing? Have they come back into your life at all? (Honestly, I figured they’d be showing up on your doorstep pretty soon, hinting for money. Cynical me.)
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Honestly, I kind of expected the same thing. I’m sure if Pandora gets seriously ill, I’ll hear from him. But thankfully, all’s been quiet on that front so far.
I’m glad that, however frustrating the pricing, you’re saving money at this point. But the headache of it all is just so dang exhausting.
It really was weird that eggs cost less here in Anchorage, home of the “Alaska gouge.” What’s scary to me is the price of meat; even 80% lean ground beef is almost $7 a pound. How are people eating, especially if they have children?!?
“Pasta,” my niece said. “Lots and lots of pasta.”
Recently our Buy Nothing Facebook group has had four or five requests for food — any kind of food. One woman said, “Pretty much all we have in the house right now is noodles. Does anybody have any protein to share?”
Made a food bank donation last month and will do so again this month. And it wouldn’t surprise me if the winner of this week’s gift card giveaway* asks for a supermarket card.
*Shameless plug. You have until March 3 to enter; winner gets a $25 e-gift card to their retailer of choice.
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Well, hopefully the GCs end up in the hands of people who really need every extra grocery buck they can get.
And yes, carbs are a mainstay for stretching out food. But eesh, they don’t last long. Or not me, anyway. Instead they tend to spike my blood sugar and then I’m sleepy and hungry (thus cranky) again a couple hours later.
Oh, sure, blame the carbs…. 😉
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