They keep raising prices, stating that it’s due to inflation, but then they keep having record profits.
Meanwhile, the average American can barely afford rent or food nowadays.
What are we to do? Vote? I have been but that doesn’t seem to do much since I’m just voting for a representative that makes the actual decisions.
Not American, but I try to buy most of my daily stuff from independent places instead of supermarkets. The social contacts at my local butcher, bakery, vegetable shop, fish shop, … is also much more enjoyable than stressing in the Colruyt or whatever. And the produce is way better.
Once they get to know you, they often give freebies too, like offcuts to make bouillon. And you get free cooking tips as well!
The problem in the states is that many of the local grocery stores went out of business when wally world rolled into town.
O, I see. I guess that makes it even more important to support your local baker/butcher/…, if you’ve still got one. But yeah, that’s a shitty situation.
To add to this, due to the scale that the major grocery chains operate at, even if you do have a local grocer, baker, etc their prices will be higher than the big box stores
There’s usually still farmers markets within driving distance. Granted they’re not a replacement for a grocery store, but they have a lot of the essentials. There’s no middle man getting a cut when buying from them. But also it’s important to go because otherwise the local markets won’t get any bigger.
While those do exist where I live, the selection is usually limited to fruits and vegetables.
On top of that, the ones around here are time limited (growing season only; weekends only; etc).
Agreed. Ones near me (in Texas) usually have meats, eggs, nuts etc. But, to your point, this last summer it was so hot almost all of the chickens for all of the farmers stopped laying eggs. So we just couldn’t get eggs from the for half the summer.
It’s not a great option, but I think it is one of the only options we have against large corporations.
Guess it depends on where you live.
In my hometown (rural Midwest), there’s a Walmart, a Schnucks (Midwest chain), maybe an IGA if it’s still around, and about five Dollar Generals (more convenience store than grocery). I don’t think I’ve seen a farmers market there my whole life, despite being literally in the middle of a million farms. Super odd now that I think about it.
I live in a rural area too, and there are at least 3 farmer’s markets within 25 miles of me. I would assume it’s common in most similar areas.
I don’t live in that particular rural area anymore, so it could just be my ignorance, who knows.