Food prices June 2021

[Hinotori]

I really like rice, perhaps a little too much liking. It spikes my blood sugar and causes FB stomach to sound like there is "monster in my stomach". She found some organic black rice that she called forbidden rice. It's has a really good flavor. No more "monster in my stomach" or blood sugar spike.

Here's what it looks like.
View attachment 29985

Jesus is Lord and Christ

Its an unpolished rice so is much better on blood sugars. The Winco here carries it in bulk foods. Hubby doesn't like the chewiness of brown rices except in soup.

 

[CrealCritter]

Its an unpolished rice so is much better on blood sugars. The Winco here carries it in bulk foods. Hubby doesn't like the chewiness of brown rices except in soup.

yep everyone is different that's forsure... I enjoyed the texture and I suspose I would say unique nutty flavor. FB put the leftover in the refrigerator. I eat it all, I would put some in a bowl with a healthy portion of butter on top and warm it up In the nuker. Then top off with a little redmond salt and enjoy. It's nice to enjoy rice again without getting aggiated from blood sugar spike.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[flowerbug]

Sounds good -- potato/ham soup may do that, have all here. And it's a satisfying meal

I wish butter would go way down I'd buy 20#.

we usually buy 3-9 lbs at a time (we don't use margarine for baking any more - too much water in it).

she also bought extra milk.

 

[murphysranch]

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!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

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

That's a shame...

 

[Hinotori]

The postal carriers are doing a food drive and I was checking the dates on some of the things I have stored because you've made me aware of the date issue. Nothing there to give. Best by dates have past.

Was talking to Mom when I checked those dried hashbrowns, which last forever. Too much salt for hubby. Mom said bring them to her. They will eat them. I need to move stuff because I know there are canned veggies (with salt) in there also past the best by. Mom will take those, too.

i have a case of small shelf stable milk coming up on it's date I may donate. We'll replace it anyway.

 

[murphysranch]

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”.”

 

[murphysranch]

So don't throw out that food. Our director is worried about lawsuits if someone eats one of our things and gets sick. But in 1987 there was a law passed in WA state to disallow any lawsuits against non profit food banks and pantries if a person claims to have gotten sick from their food.

There are also two federal laws to protect manufacturers, distributors and the like against these type of lawsuits. This was a HUGE relief for the food manufacturers who used to throw away dumpsters of aging products. Now they are allowed to donate without fear of repercussion.

 

[Hinotori]

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”.”

Oh i know that only formula means anything. I ignore them unless it's getting to the decade mark, and then it depends on what it is.

I ate home canned tuna from 2014 the other day. Perfectly good even if storage recommendations now say thats too old. Look, listen, smell on canned goods. Tuna lasts better than jams. Those loose flavor after so long. I dont keep more than 2 years.

 

[Hinotori]

So don't throw out that food. Our director is worried about lawsuits if someone eats one of our things and gets sick. But in 1987 there was a law passed in WA state to disallow any lawsuits against non profit food banks and pantries if a person claims to have gotten sick from their food.

There are also two federal laws to protect manufacturers, distributors and the like against these type of lawsuits. This was a HUGE relief for the food manufacturers who used to throw away dumpsters of aging products. Now they are allowed to donate without fear of repercussion.

I wont waste stuff. Mom wants it. I just wont donate it if it will get tossed. Worst case scenario is chickens get it.