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> ...there is far less processing needed for fresh foods and it should be cheaper. Fresh food has significantly higher storage and shipping costs. It tends to

> ...there is far less processing needed for fresh foods and it should be cheaper. Fresh food has significantly higher storage and shipping costs. It tends to go bad. You can reasonably expect to sell a pallet of mustard before any of it expires. How much of a pallet of bananas will end up unsellable?

kaybe 7y ago
Frozen vegetables and fruit can work pretty well too. Some will have a different texture after thawing (eg berries) and cannot be used for everything but in cooking it's almost the same as fresh. How is the frozen food situation in the US?
- Junk_Collector 7y ago
  Preserved fruits and vegetables are extremely cheap and available in the US. Food in general of any type is actually very cheap in the US unless you live in NYC or downtown SF. These prices are for average chain grocers, HEB, Krogers, Wegmans, etc. Not bulk shops like Sam's or Costco. Some grocers also tend to focus on lower costs and will be cheaper than this such as Fiesta. Frozen typically runs between $1 and $2 a lb depending on what you want. Some cheaper mixes can be had around $0.50/lb. Canned typically comes in between $0.25 and $1.00 a can depending on brand. The chain grocer near me also routinely has sales on canned vegetables for $0.15/can if you buy 20 or more. A can is typically about 15 ounces. It can make up the bulk of a meal for 1 person, or serve as a side for about 3. Dried bulk products such as rice or pinto beans are also reasonably cheap though more expensive now than they used to be. Beans run about $0.25 to $0.50/lb depending on how much you buy at once and rice is about half of that. Fresh produce varies a lot by time of year and location but can typically be had for under $1/lb if you aren't choosey. Double to triple for anything labeled organic. Meats start around $1 to $2/lb for chicken thighs and pork shoulder and goes up to about $20/lb for premium beef cuts. I routinely make stuffed bellpeppers (bell pepper, rice, hamburger, tomato, and spices) for lunch and then end cost comes out to around $1.50/lb.
tyfon 7y ago
I think some of the reason is that we have become pickier. Most of the food that is counted "bad" is not really, like apples that have shrunk a bit. You can use them perfectly for something like an apple pie or ingredients in a dish. Fish is an issue because it can become "fishy", i.e. you get a strong taste of fish blood if not kept properly. I try to buy them from companies that freeze on the boat and transport around in trucks and sell directly to people. Most meats though is usually better tasting after the expiration date (to a certain extent!) But none of that can last for years in storage, I guess that lowers the cost a bit. Also the processed foods have more filler ingredients like corn starch etc which is cheap.

kaybe 7y ago

Frozen vegetables and fruit can work pretty well too. Some will have a different texture after thawing (eg berries) and cannot be used for everything but in cooking it's almost the same as fresh. How is the frozen food situation in the US?

Junk_Collector 7y ago
Preserved fruits and vegetables are extremely cheap and available in the US. Food in general of any type is actually very cheap in the US unless you live in NYC or downtown SF. These prices are for average chain grocers, HEB, Krogers, Wegmans, etc. Not bulk shops like Sam's or Costco. Some grocers also tend to focus on lower costs and will be cheaper than this such as Fiesta. Frozen typically runs between $1 and $2 a lb depending on what you want. Some cheaper mixes can be had around $0.50/lb. Canned typically comes in between $0.25 and $1.00 a can depending on brand. The chain grocer near me also routinely has sales on canned vegetables for $0.15/can if you buy 20 or more. A can is typically about 15 ounces. It can make up the bulk of a meal for 1 person, or serve as a side for about 3. Dried bulk products such as rice or pinto beans are also reasonably cheap though more expensive now than they used to be. Beans run about $0.25 to $0.50/lb depending on how much you buy at once and rice is about half of that. Fresh produce varies a lot by time of year and location but can typically be had for under $1/lb if you aren't choosey. Double to triple for anything labeled organic. Meats start around $1 to $2/lb for chicken thighs and pork shoulder and goes up to about $20/lb for premium beef cuts. I routinely make stuffed bellpeppers (bell pepper, rice, hamburger, tomato, and spices) for lunch and then end cost comes out to around $1.50/lb.

tyfon 7y ago

I think some of the reason is that we have become pickier. Most of the food that is counted "bad" is not really, like apples that have shrunk a bit. You can use them perfectly for something like an apple pie or ingredients in a dish. Fish is an issue because it can become "fishy", i.e. you get a strong taste of fish blood if not kept properly. I try to buy them from companies that freeze on the boat and transport around in trucks and sell directly to people. Most meats though is usually better tasting after the expiration date (to a certain extent!) But none of that can last for years in storage, I guess that lowers the cost a bit. Also the processed foods have more filler ingredients like corn starch etc which is cheap.