Because of the increase in the price of peanut butter due to the crop problems last year, I am moving (not removing) the fats and oils category of my monthly shopping lists into the fall, hoping the prices will drop after the next harvest (typically September or October). Without any idea of exactly which products stores will carry at their Utah case lot sales this spring, I cannot guarantee peanut butter will be one of them at a great price.
“What’s to blame for this sticky situation? The intense heat and drought that hit the southern U.S. this [past] year.” (CNNMoney). “Americans spend almost $800 million a year on peanut butter and consume more than six pounds of peanut products each year, according to The National Peanut Board, a farmer-funded research group.”
Prices on peanut butter increased 20 – 40% this past year. In my fall 2009 price comparison list, the price of 2 – 40 ounce containers of Jif peanut butter at Sam’s Club was $6.98. Today it is $9.16. Of course if prices suddenly drop, then stock up on peanut butter. Or just buy as needed. I would love it if Smith’s (Kroger) would have their 18 ounce containers for $1.00 again. But . . . that’s probably not going to happen.
Thankfully I have some cases of peanut butter from a previous case lot sale last spring. And coincidentally, I took a case to my daughter in California last year. Putting food aside can be a blessing especially when we cannot guarantee a good crop.
This is one of the reasons why I don’t have all of my Monthly Food Storage Shopping lists posted for 2012. I’m watching the markets and grocery prices, so we can gather food storage economically. [Update: Just got back from checking out Bowman’s case lot sale, and had to make an executive decision. The monthly focus for March will be tomatoes & pasta.]
Note from Val:
If you want to know what we’re gathering this week in our food storage, go here. I stopped at Costco yesterday and picked up some Krusteaz pancake mix, and two boxes of instant oatmeal packets which go along with our breakfast focus this month. The oatmeal is normally $9.79 for a 52 ct. box, but you can get $2.50 off until 2/26. That’s $7.29 per box or .14 each packet. Similar to paying $1.40 for a 10ct. box at the grocery store. You don’t have to bring in the coupon book for this instant savings.
Now I’m off to inventory my canned beans, meat and soup. ✔
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