Food prices June 2021

[Hinotori]

I have eaten WW2 C rations in the 1980s. When they'd come across some out at the Army Depot Dad was security at, they'd split them with whomever wanted some. Dad would bring them home so we could try them. So yeah, 40 year old canned goods didn't kill us

 

[CrealCritter]

I was talking with the director of the food pantry where I volunteer. Yes, there are concerns about the shortfall in the federal funding for food banks ($500 million cut) and the USDA commodity items.

What is unknown is:
1. what are the inventory levels in the Commodity warehouses.
2. how many grower contracts have been cancelled for this year's harvest for commodity items.
3. what price impact with the increased costs of metal cans will translate to the items.
4. will our local funding sources dwindle? (we spend $2300 a week for produce from a restaurant produce supplier)

Our orders from the county food bank are not being fulfilled at 100% levels. We haven't bought eggs in three months. Our numbers of clients are increasing. We weigh our carts going out to the clients. Over a year ago, it ranged from about 100 -110 lbs. On Tuesday we were averaging 75 - 79 lbs. (of course that is minus the cart weight).

We serve 900 - 1000 families a month. Once a month pick up.

And yet, the director still says we must throw out food any older than six months back from today's month. Canned goods included...

edit to add: I've thought about quitting, so I can get that worry out of my brain. But when I hug a lady on Tuesday afternoon, cus I respected her needs with her special diabetic diet and she was sooooo thankful, I realize I CANNOT QUIT!

I remember going through canned goods with mom, looking for buldged cans to throw away. Why do canned goods not bulge cans anymore?

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[FarmerJamie]

But the thing is, @Hinotori, the FDA doesn't not require code dates on anything BUT infant formula.

Code dates were first "best if used by" dates. To help the grocers to rotate their stock. Then manuf caught on - and said if we put expiration dates on our stuff, then it will help sell more! So they picked an arbitrary two years out from the manuf date. GRRRR

Except for infant formula, product dating is not required by Federal regulations.

Examples of commonly used phrases:

A “Best if Used By/Before” date indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

A “Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.

A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below.

A “Freeze-By” date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

“With an exception of infant formula, if the date passes during home storage, a product should still be safe and wholesome IF handled properly until the time spoilage is evident (Chill: Refrigerate Promptly). Spoiled foods will develop an off odor, flavor or texture due to naturally occurring spoilage bacteria. If a food has developed such spoilage characteristics, it should not be eaten.”

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safe...ration/food-safety-basics/food-product-dating

Related News - California becomes first state to ban ‘Sell By’ Dates to Simplify Labels and Cut Food Waste (Assembly Bill 660)

“Confusion over date labels accounts for around 7 percent of consumer food waste in the United States, according to ReFED. And a study published in Waste Management finds that 84 percent of respondents throw out food that is near its labeled date “at least occasionally”.”

My wife and I go round and round on this. Extremely perishable stuff like dairy, I check. Other stuff not so much

 

[flowerbug]

i pretty much just go by if it is acidic or not.

things like sour cream, yogurt, and various condiments that have acidifiers in them can go past their date if you don't cross-contaminate them. unfortunately i live with someone who does cross-contaminate all sorts of things all the time so i have to keep a closer eye on things...

the problem with botulism poisoning is that you won't know by smell and the can may not even be buldging - in that case it is the acidity of the item that is the primary protection.

 

[Hinotori]

I remember going through canned goods with mom, looking for buldged cans to throw away. Why do canned goods not bulge cans anymore?

Jesus is Lord and Christ

They do. Ive had store bought tuna do it as well as green beans. Mom had that one I posted a bit back.

 

[Mini Horses]

And yet, the director still says we must throw out food any older than six months back from today's month. Canned goods included...

WHY don't they pull close dated and add them to baskets???? I mean, use it up before that darned date!!!

They have a drive thru in my town once a month but seeing what my friend gets, 50-60# MAX. But there is also a store front shop, with apptmts where you walk thru & select. They tell people what they can get -- like 4 cans veg, 1 bag rice, 1 of this & 2 of that, etc. It all helps them out!! Minimal meats, cheese but, some.