Even the manager of my regular supermarket (Food Lion) is freaking on the sticker shock.
I’m going to ask my SIL who lives in Delaware to check prices on a couple of items for me in a Food Lion up there. I’ve lived in Virginia now for almost 8 years and am finally paying the same price on certain items I buy frequently as I was in Delaware before we moved.
I don’t buy a lot of pre-packaged stuff, but I do admit that Noodles and Sauce and Rice-a-Roni have always been staples in my house, and so am very price conscious about those. My 12 yo could live on the stuff and frequently makes it for herself, sometimes more than once a day :)
The prices are very inconspicuous.
If celery was $1.19 and now its $2.50 that’s over 100% increase in price.
It is happening on everything.
People think an item is reasonable at $1 but if the price was 50c previously, they will be in for a shock when the cashier tallys all the items.
Don’t feel bad about the Pasta/Rice a Roni use. My family also loves this stuff as numerous members of my extended family used it frequently. I pick it up whenever it is on sale and in quantity when the price is $1 a box or less, maintaining a good 6-12 month supply if I can. It is great for those times when I am too worn out to cook a fancy dinner, if I have forgotten to take something out of the freezer, or if I get home late and need to fix something quick because everyone is starving.
A family favorite is my Pasta Roni Chicken and bacon Fettuccini. I poach boneless skinless chicken breasts taken straight from the freezer, and then cut it in bite size chumks. I use some of the poaching liquid instead of the water and cook the Pasta Roni according to the package directions using olive oil instead of the butter. When the pasta is cooked I stir in the chicken and a small handful of bacon bits (I keep a bag of these from costco in my fritge at all times), and let it sit to thicken the sauce. I sprinkle a few chopped chives on the top before I serve it. Add a salad or some steamed veggies, and some fresh fruit and I have a quick meal for the family.