Posted on 01/18/2011 9:13:00 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
The insiders know, they see it coming. A spike in food prices is just around the corner. Here's what Drovers Cattle Network is telling farmers:
Americans have spent less than 10 percent of their disposable income on food for many years now. Thats about to change. Food prices are on the rise and there will be new records set for some, actually many goods, this year. Meat, dairy and poultry prices are among the products on pace to set records.
While the general inflation rate was nearly zero in 2010, food and fuel presents another story. Predictions for 2011 food inflation range from 3 percent to 6 percent, with some estimates in recent days pushing into the double digits.
This will come at a time when gasoline and energy prices also are on the riseoil is projected to reach beyond $100 per barrel....Consumers will see higher prices in the supermarket and hear about record commodity prices and will perceive you as riding waves of money. Part of this is the current supply and demand dynamics for food products, but it is also the Ben Bernanke printing press. It's going to be a perfect storm of events pushing food prices much higher. DCN is talking about 3 percent to 6 per cent inflation, but I think it will be over 10 percent. It's going to be pretty ugly out there. And some will blame the farmers. DCN is telling farmers:
News stories are already outlining this years higher food prices. In recent days, Ive seen coverage on ABC, NBC, cable news and a National Public Radio business show. Still, nothing drives the point home like actually feeling it in your wallet, and that is yet to come in a significant way. I believe consumers are in for some sticker shock, and theyll wonder what the heck has happened.
They will point to big, greedy, modern farmers. Never mind that globally, there are 1 billion more people to feed than in the 1990s, as well as more whove upgraded their previous diets.
My point is with rising food costs on the horizon, consumers will again look at farmers with jaundiced view. So, polish up your talking points about the reality of farming, finances and food production today and be prepared to explain the truth to consumers in a calm, thoughtful way.
If you have a big freezer, fill it with meat right now.
I can understand the concern about freezers if energy is going up—so knowing how to can is good idea.
But then again, you still have to buy canning supplies. You still have to boil the jars and maybe even pressure cook them. All takes money and energy, and you’ll be getting the latter from the power company unless you have a wood burning option.
A stand-alone freezer uses 1000-1500 kw a year, so like $150-$200 bucks a year or $12-$16 a month.
What I don’t get is the whole freeze-dried food thing. Expensive, you can’t do anything with it besides what’s in the package, and you have to rely on someone else to freeze dry it.
I’d think you’re better off with dried beans and staples like flour, sugar, rice, etc. that you can make a million things out of. And a garden and maybe some foraging skills.
Thanks for the book recommendation. We’ve done some canning that’s worked out well, however, our try at canning meat turned out ok but wouldn’t be our first choice of a meal. What is your favorite canned meat recipe? What have you found to work best?
I have not canned fish yet, but we are planning an Alaska fishing adventure, and I hope to do some canning right there on the stove in the camper!
So hard to single out a favorite canned meat recipe. Casseroles, stuffed pies, soups and dumplings prepared from the chicken are always great. Hearty meat and barley soups from venison are quick and satisfying.
One of my favorite soups is to take a 16 or 19 bean mix, envelopes of savory herb & garlic and onion soups from Lipton as a base. (1 envelope for each quart of water that you'll add -- a bag of beans usually takes a total of 4 quarts) Add home canned green beans, corn and meat (chicken, deer or elk), maybe some barley and/or brown rice about an hour before mealtime and bake a loaf of fresh pumpernickel or sourdough bread. Kings don't eat that well as far as we're concerned.
thanks! I’ve already found the canning book online.
My mom used to tell the story of how when she was a kid, in order to have a salad, her and her sister would go out along the road and pick “greens” from in the ditch.
McDs is cheaper.
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