Those record profits are absolutely shameful while 58% of families (my birth family included) have struggled to put food on the table. I am simultaneously astounded by these numbers and 0% surprised to find the United States here, treating the human beings who live there like little gnats in the face of glorious, glorious cash.
I never eat out so I really haven't noticed food price increases in restaurants and I shop at Trader Joe's mostly and their prices on many, if not most, of their items simply have not gone up. I did go into a Subway one day several months ago thinking I'd grab a turkey or chicken half sub and I left because prices had gone up so much. Great piece, Joan, and the comments verify your concerns.
I compliment you for noting that increases in food prices have been galloping along, in large measure, because of the unbounded and immense profits of food corporations.
I think that we should always look at the "bigger picture."
This is the bigger picture and, indeed. the overriding issue re the distributioin of wealth in this country:
In the 1970's, the ratio of the median CEO income to the median assembly line worker's income was 40 to 1.
Today, that very same ratio is 500 to 1.
Almost everything uttered, by stodgy economists of the establishment, is a diversion and distraction from this essential truth: The American economy has been hurtling back in time to the era of the Robber Baron financiers and merchants of the beginning of the 20th century.
Also, the profits of the grocery stores: "Kroger's [2022] profit also topped $2.2 billion, up 35.6% from 2021, outpacing the 7.5% sales growth for the year." -from the Cincinnati Enquirer
Aug 21, 2023·edited Aug 21, 2023Liked by Joan DeMartin
I’ve been noticing this all year and it’s extremely distressing. I currently live in Tulsa, but I’m moving back to Idaho. And then the Wood River Valley I discovered products are easily $2 more for common items then they are even in Boise. This, of course makes me want to shop outside of the valley, but my guy, a lifelong resident, wants to support the local economy. I understand his argument and had previously supported it but at these prices, it’s hard for me to comply.
On a slightly different note, a friend who traditionally eats out quite a bit and has always been a very good tipper recently told me that over the last six months she has noticed tipping expectations have increased. Whereas 20% used to be the gold standard, and that was on the meal itself not including tax, the Square pay systems are now standardly set to 30%, 25% and 22% and often that is of the total including tax. I am absolutely dumbfounded. Especially when the meal is already at least 25% higher than it was six months ago or a year ago, which would mean the tip would already be higher based on the higher cost of the food. And now restaurants, and/or servers are expecting even higher tips? This feels more like an avalanche than a snowball effect. But how do we stop it?
Doritos are $6. Enough said. I urge others to make their own Cool Ranch with a 50-cent bag of ranch mix poured into a $2 bag of Santitas. Shake well.
It looks to me like there is no legitimate reason for it- like someone is just dictating random prices.
Those record profits are absolutely shameful while 58% of families (my birth family included) have struggled to put food on the table. I am simultaneously astounded by these numbers and 0% surprised to find the United States here, treating the human beings who live there like little gnats in the face of glorious, glorious cash.
I never eat out so I really haven't noticed food price increases in restaurants and I shop at Trader Joe's mostly and their prices on many, if not most, of their items simply have not gone up. I did go into a Subway one day several months ago thinking I'd grab a turkey or chicken half sub and I left because prices had gone up so much. Great piece, Joan, and the comments verify your concerns.
I compliment you for noting that increases in food prices have been galloping along, in large measure, because of the unbounded and immense profits of food corporations.
I think that we should always look at the "bigger picture."
This is the bigger picture and, indeed. the overriding issue re the distributioin of wealth in this country:
In the 1970's, the ratio of the median CEO income to the median assembly line worker's income was 40 to 1.
Today, that very same ratio is 500 to 1.
Almost everything uttered, by stodgy economists of the establishment, is a diversion and distraction from this essential truth: The American economy has been hurtling back in time to the era of the Robber Baron financiers and merchants of the beginning of the 20th century.
Also, the profits of the grocery stores: "Kroger's [2022] profit also topped $2.2 billion, up 35.6% from 2021, outpacing the 7.5% sales growth for the year." -from the Cincinnati Enquirer
Btw, I am sharing this article with both my guy and my friend
I’ve been noticing this all year and it’s extremely distressing. I currently live in Tulsa, but I’m moving back to Idaho. And then the Wood River Valley I discovered products are easily $2 more for common items then they are even in Boise. This, of course makes me want to shop outside of the valley, but my guy, a lifelong resident, wants to support the local economy. I understand his argument and had previously supported it but at these prices, it’s hard for me to comply.
On a slightly different note, a friend who traditionally eats out quite a bit and has always been a very good tipper recently told me that over the last six months she has noticed tipping expectations have increased. Whereas 20% used to be the gold standard, and that was on the meal itself not including tax, the Square pay systems are now standardly set to 30%, 25% and 22% and often that is of the total including tax. I am absolutely dumbfounded. Especially when the meal is already at least 25% higher than it was six months ago or a year ago, which would mean the tip would already be higher based on the higher cost of the food. And now restaurants, and/or servers are expecting even higher tips? This feels more like an avalanche than a snowball effect. But how do we stop it?