If you’ve been to the grocery store at least once in the past six months, I’m sure you’ve noticed something’s amiss. 

You might not notice it when you’re adding items to your basket, but I’m sure it’s obvious once it’s time to pay: the cost of food is going up at an alarming rate.

What’s going on? There are a few culprits at play here: 

Shrinkflation. In the past, a jar of Maxwell House instant coffee may have lasted you a month, but now it’s gone after three weeks! What the heck? That 6oz jar of coffee shrunk down to 5oz overnight, but the price stayed the same! Super sneaky – it’s inflating the price without ‘inflating the price.’  

The Fix: Get familiar with your favorite products and package sizes, and consider switching brands if it’s more economical. Watch for flashy, gimmicky labels. “New And Improved!” or “Better Taste!” may be trying to distract you from noticing that you’re getting less.

Supply Chains. The pandemic hit us like a ton of bricks and created a ripple effect of manufacturing shortages. We now have cross-border logistical problems, public health restrictions, and factory shutdowns. In layman’s terms, there’s just less to go around. Companies are favoring their heavy-hitting products over less popular options. So long Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper! 

The Fix: Call ahead to save yourself disappointment if there’s a must-have item your family depends on (gluten-free products, anyone?). You can also try to order from a supplier directly or even online. Be sure to bulk purchase when you see an item back in stock if there’s been a drought period.

Climate change. Nobody wants to hear it (and some people might not believe in it). Still, staple crops are being affected by unfavorable weather patterns. Record temperatures (highs and lows) and even changes in rainfall patterns can produce lower yields of these crops. However, global demand doesn’t increase during these times, and the lack of supply causes crop prices to skyrocket.

The Fix: There’s not much you can do to make a huge impact on climate change. But you can save money by buying local and in-season produce, where you can. Local corn, tomatoes, and potatoes taste delicious, and less fuel is needed to transport and process them. Now might be a great time to stock up on butternut squash for a comforting, healthy and environmentally friendly late-fall soup.

Inflation and food shortages are not unique to now – and the best way to weather this storm is to plan ahead. 

If you want to have your cake and eat it too, give us a call at 513-563-PLAN (7526) or book a chat online to see how we can keep your money in your bank account and groceries in your shopping bag.