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.

 

[murphysranch]

The out of date stuff is donated. I've seen 2009 cans come thru. Lots of 2012, 13, 14, and 15th. The grains and box mixes are usually infested, so when I bring them home, they do not come in the house. Straight to the compost bins. MY 3 cats get 2012 - 2018 cans of sardines, tuna, mackerel. My dogs get older cans of green beans. My chickens get alot of old stuff too.

All of our meat comes from grocery stores. Out of code, that customers like me, haven't bought. They throw them in to their freezer and our early am drivers use the food bank van to make their way to all the stores to pick up what is going to be discarded.

Safeway
Albertsons
7-Eleven
WINCO
Fred Meyer (Kroger)
Bagel shop
Target (only on Tuesdays).

This occurs 5 days a week.

Kroger doesn't give much.
WINCO gives us bread - tons of it
Safeway and Albertsons give meat
7-Eleven gives us premade stuff in plastic clam shells
Bagel shop gives us yesterday's bagels.
Target never gives food, but gives us boxes of HABA stuff, most of which goes to another group run by the Adventists, who do allow their clients to walk thru and pick out what they want in their HABA section.

Now you all have just learned how one little food pantry works in Battle Ground WA. A population of about 22K, but lots of surrounding suburbs, outside of Vancouver WA. Out pantry takes everyone in the area. No address checking unless we notice an out of state license plate.

 

[Mini Horses]

Here, the Dollar General tosses some & donates some. Most donations are because a group/food bank has asked the mgr and does pick up. There's often cases of crackers, cookies, cereals, coffee & creamers, close dated milk, etc. usually these are a few days before or a month over....for most things I've listed, that's still fine to eat!! Milk is pulled 3 days prior, so not out yet. A few times I've seen some cheese/meats close dated given. Yep, lots waste otherwise. Most of these church units have people everyday asking for help. Sad but true.

My chickens get garden damages & leftovers from frig. I've even cooked up older rice/beans,etc when cleaning my pantry. Good for them & save at the feed store! They LOVE clabbered milk anytime I have extra....excellent probiotics & calcium! I actually buy extra mark down breads for them. . They love it. They also clean up after goats at feeding, all the specks of grain.

Save a nickel where you can.