Arizona Food Prices Down for the First Time this Year
Arizona, October 11, 2010 – For the first time this year, Arizona retail food prices at the supermarket are down in the third quarter of 2010, according to the latest Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Market Basket Survey. The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 basic grocery items was $46.48, down $2.36 or about 5% lower than the second quarter of 2010. Comparatively, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national survey was $46.17, down $1.03 or 2% lower compared to the second quarter of 2010.
The Arizona third quarter Market Basket is only 46 cent higher compared to one year ago at this time.
“Overall, retail food prices have been relatively stable in 2010,” said Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau Public Relations, Marketing and Education Director. “Price data collected by our volunteer shoppers during the third quarter of the year shows that pattern is continuing to hold.”
To access an entire menu focused on those food items down in price in the second quarter and designed around stretching your food dollar, go to www.fillyourplate.org. Look for the latest “Stretch Your Food Dollar” menu and the additional food savings tips.
“In general meat demand has improved quite a bit since 2009,” Murphree said. “Today’s shoppers appear to be balancing cost and convenience to feed their families.” Murphree also points out that food choices are influenced by cost, convenience or culinary skills. “For example, chicken breast prices average $4.35 per pound compared to whole fryers at $1.29,” says Murphree. “Many consumers prefer the more costly cut due to convenience in preparation and serving, while others see this as an opportunity in today’s economic environment to save by purchasing the whole bird.”
Of the 16 items surveyed in Arizona, ten decreased and six increased, compared to the 2010 second-quarter survey. The national survey shows ten decreased and six increased.
In Arizona, sliced deli ham showed the greatest decrease in price down $1.07 to $3.92 a pound; the 32 oz bottle of vegetable oil down 84 cents to $2.49 a bottle; flour down 82 cents to $1.75 for the 5-pound bag; ground chuck down 37 cents to $3.25 a pound; toasted oat cereal down 24 cents to $2.75 for the 8.9 oz box; boneless chicken breast down 22 cents to $4.35 a pound; orange juice down 20 cents to $2.89 a half gallon; a 20-oz loaf of white bread down 13 cents to $1.42; milk down 6 cents to $2.66 a gallon and eggs down 5 cents to $1.27 a dozen.
Shredded cheese showed the largest price increase up 79 cents to $4.43 a pound. The other items that increased in price were russet potatoes up 37 cents to $2.35 for the 5-pound bag; classic salad mix up 27 cents to $2.99 for the pound bag; sirloin tip roast up 15 cents to $4.92 a pound; red delicious apples up 4 cents to $1.49 a-pound; and bacon up 2 cents to $3.55 a pound.
As retail grocery prices have gradually increased over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped. “In the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. That figure has decreased steadily over time and is now just 19 percent, according to Agriculture Department statistics,” explains John Anderson, American Farm Bureau Economist.
Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the Arizona farmer’s share of this quarter’s $46.48 Market Basket total would be $8.83.
The Farm Bureau Market Basket Survey is unscientific, but serves as a gauge of actual price trends across the state. Bargain shoppers statewide should find individual items at prices comparable to the Farm Bureau survey averages and certainly cheaper with discounts and in-store specials. Arizona Farm Bureau seeks to identify the best in-store price, excluding promotional coupons and special deals.
