One of my New Year resolutions was to economize, so last week I searched out and read some web-pages on how to save money on groceries. One advice was to buy local produce at markets, and another was to go there just before they closed, as the stallholders might be more generous with their portions. That didn’t apply here, the tomatoes and peppers were carefully weighed out. But they were certainly cheaper than the supermarket, the peppers costing 2€ for 800g (3€ in the supermarket) and the tomatoes only 1€/kg (3,50€ at Intermarché). The grapefruits in the dish were even better value, we got about 5kg of them free from our neighbor, who will receive a similar quantity of lemons from us over the next few weeks.
One of the reasons food in the markets here is cheaper is that it mostly seems to come from Spain, the border being just 15 minutes away by car. Like France, Spain is in the EU and uses the euro currency, so why there should be a difference in prices I don’t know, but there certainly is. It means that Spanish people cross the border to work and to sell stuff, and French people cross the border to live or retire, and to buy stuff. Any economists out there who could explain ?
I had noticed for a long time that prices were rising, but it was really our Christmas meal that shocked me. I had decided to cook roast filet of beef , which I know is expensive, but it cost me 42€ for 800g! I nearly fainted ! I don’t think I bought any Christmas presents that were more expensive than that ! Is it the same in your country ? Here a free-range chicken that used to cost 9 to 11€ now costs 13 to 15€, beef has gone up similarly though we buy much less. Apparently chips, tuna and sunflower oil have gone up the most, probably due to the war in Ukraine. When that war started sunflower oil disappeared from supermarket shelves virtually overnight in France due to panic buying (though you could get it in Spain easily enough, either because Spanish people are less panicky, or because Spain has lots of olive oil to use instead!)
Couldn't agree more, Tim. It's maybe even more pronounced here, as so much of our produce is imported. The cost of living has become just mindblowing. And I don't see it reaching a plateau any time soon.
Lovely photograph, I like the shape of that one red pepper! It reminds me of a beercan squashed in half.
I can always count on your food photography! Ah, the prices here in the US are making a dent in what I buy. In the summer of 2022, I worked for a farmer at the farmer's market, so I was very fortunate to get most of my in-season produce at little to nothing, and I can vouch that as a seller of produce when the market was near closing time, I gave very good deals to the customers (the produce wouldn't last). The best deals come at the end of market, but the best produce (hasn't sat out in the sun, etc.) is at the beginning of market. My year-round market I usually frequent has lost the farmer (he retired sadly--I shed so many tears!) I used to buy from, so I'm back at the super market for economizing.
My best value for dollar has been chicken thighs, not breasts, ground chicken, not turkey. Oddly, here, pork tenderloins are a true bargain, and they more than make up for the high price of red meat (which I will buy when it goes on sale, then freeze if it's a good sale).
Eggs have gone up in price a good bit here. Things like sodas, chips, junk food have skyrocketed. My husband drinks sodas, so he waits for the "deals" to come up and bulk buys them, but I don't drink them. I've found inexpensive buys for almost all vegetables if I choose the ones in season--I do try to make my diet seasonal if possible.
Market life is wonderful, and I have developed great relationships with the farmers over the years. I will not work next summer's market, but I worry that the farmers from whom I buy produce will soon retire. The younger farmers are more "boutique" in their sales approaches, and also more expensive.
@darylo Interesting to read and to find out how similar things are. I read an article last year that the French preference for chicken breasts is such that the thighs are exported to overseas territories for sale at below production price, to the detriment of local producers. NY Times had a recent article about budget shopping, not sure if it is behind the paywall https://www.nytimes.com/article/cheap-food-items-grocery-shopping-recipes.html
A fabulous still life.
Your comment on prices at the market is interesting. Here food at the local markets is very expensive and it’s local. Sure the produces and fruits are good at the market but you don’t save money there. I was so disappointed as I was looking forward buying my fresh food at local markets. Even CSA (customer supported agriculture) is a very expensive solution for customer and I won’t do that again this year.
January 22nd, 2023
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Lovely photograph, I like the shape of that one red pepper! It reminds me of a beercan squashed in half.
My best value for dollar has been chicken thighs, not breasts, ground chicken, not turkey. Oddly, here, pork tenderloins are a true bargain, and they more than make up for the high price of red meat (which I will buy when it goes on sale, then freeze if it's a good sale).
Eggs have gone up in price a good bit here. Things like sodas, chips, junk food have skyrocketed. My husband drinks sodas, so he waits for the "deals" to come up and bulk buys them, but I don't drink them. I've found inexpensive buys for almost all vegetables if I choose the ones in season--I do try to make my diet seasonal if possible.
Market life is wonderful, and I have developed great relationships with the farmers over the years. I will not work next summer's market, but I worry that the farmers from whom I buy produce will soon retire. The younger farmers are more "boutique" in their sales approaches, and also more expensive.
Your comment on prices at the market is interesting. Here food at the local markets is very expensive and it’s local. Sure the produces and fruits are good at the market but you don’t save money there. I was so disappointed as I was looking forward buying my fresh food at local markets. Even CSA (customer supported agriculture) is a very expensive solution for customer and I won’t do that again this year.