Arizona Food Prices Drop 20% Compared to One Year Ago
Arizona, October 6, 2009 – For four consecutive quarters, Arizona retail food prices at the supermarket decreased in the third quarter of 2009, according to the latest Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Market Basket Survey. The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 basic grocery items was $46.02, down 9.5 percent or $4.87 from the second quarter. Comparatively, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national survey was $46.03, down 26 cents from the second quarter of 2009 and about 10 % less compared to one year ago.
The Arizona third quarter Market Basket is $11.44 lower or about 20 percent less compared to one year ago.
“In this economic downturn everyone is looking to save money. Cooking at home, with the items that have gone down in price, is one way to save money and serve up good healthy food at the same time,” said Linda Merrell, Women’s Director of the Arizona Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee and State Board member. “And of special note, all of the third quarter “Stretch Your Food Dollar” recipes are from Arizona producers.” (see Producer list of names at end of release)
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 “Stretch Your Food Dollar” menu and the additional food savings tips.
“Consumers continue to benefit from modest, steady declines in retail food prices at the grocery store. From a nutritional perspective, it’s important to note that our Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers found significantly lower retail prices for several protein-rich foods that are staples in the diet of most Americans, including milk, cheese, eggs and ground beef, compared to one year ago,” said Arizona Farm Bureau Public Relations Director Julie Murphree.
“Again this quarter and compared to one year ago, the foods that declined the most in average retail prices are among the least-processed items in our market basket,” Murphree said. “It’s worth stocking up on your meat and dairy products.”
Of the 16 items surveyed in Arizona, 14 decreased and two increased compared to the 2009 second-quarter survey. The national survey shows nine decreased and seven increased. For the first time ever, the Arizona’s Market Basket is less then the national average.
In Arizona, Shredded cheddar cheese showed the greatest decrease in price down $92 cents to $3.95 a pound; Boneless chicken breast down 77 cents to $2.72 a pound; a gallon of whole milk and a 32 ounce bottle of vegetable oil down 62 cents to $1.95 and 2.74 respectively; deli ham down 50 cents to $4.48 a pound; 5-pound bag of flour down 38 cents to $2.42; toasted oat cereal down 31 cents for the 8.9 ounce box to $2.90; orange juice down 26 cents to $3.07 a half gallon; bacon down 21 cents a pound to $3.48 a pound; 5-pound bag of russet potatoes down 20 cents to $ 2.31; red delicious apples down 18 cents a pound to $1.22; a 20-oz loaf of white bread down 10 cents to $1.53; ground beef down 5 cents to $ 3.69 a pound; and a 1 pound bag of salad mix down 4 cents to $2.91.
Sirloin tip roast showed the largest retail price increase up 21 cents to $4.85 a pound. The only other item that increased in price were eggs up 8 cents to $1.80 a dozen.
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 Jim Sartwelle, 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 $46.02 Market Basket total would be $8.74.
According to USDA, the average price farmer received for their products in September remained flat from the August level, but was 18 percent lower compared to a year ago.
