I'm cheesed off....

@MsTickle (25180)
Australia
July 12, 2007 12:16pm CST
I went grocery shopping last 3 days ago and on my list was milk. I buy powdered skim milk because fresh milk is not readily available and I drink lots. Imagine my shoch when I arrived home and checked my docket. I normally pay $6.52 for a packet, the price on my docket was $8.80!!! Just now, something on my Yahoo home page caught my eye....namely.."Milk could rise by 25 per cent - ", here is a link for the article; http://au.news.yahoo.com/070525/2/13kge.html Now I'm betting that this is just an initial price rise and when the rise actually comes into effect it will be hiked up AGAIN by this company. They've already upped the price by more than 25%. I really love my milk and because osteoporosis is an hereditary factor I NEED to drink lots. I'm not alone in this need either. Other dairy products will also be include in the rise...cheese is practically out of my price limit already...could you live without cheese? To say I'm disgusted and worried is an understatement. What are your feelings my friends on this issue.
10 people like this
24 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Jul 07
I may have cats, but I think I'm a mouse--LOL--did you say cheese?? OMG...love cheese...and yes, I've noticed that cheese prices have also been "nicely" on the rise--I don't get powdered milk, I don't mind it, but uh, well, his royal highness, my Pyewacket likes to have a little bit of milk, and the one time I did have powdered milk and I gave it to him he looked at me like..."Your kidding, right ma?" LOL-- But no, I couldn't live without cheese either...give me Brie, Cheddar, Muenster, Monterry Jack, Muenster with pepper, cheddar with dill...ah..you get the point
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Jul 07
Banjo isn't fussed on Powdered or UHT milk....I can't undersytand it...lol. I try to limit my cheese intake but I simply cannot do without it. I love vintage cheddar, blue vein ,blue brie and fruit cheeses. Also smoked cheese. Oh yum!
1 person likes this
@nannacroc (4049)
12 Jul 07
I couldn't manage without my milk and cheese. These are necessary to a basic diet and the price should be kept reasonable. Maybe it woild be cheaper in the end to buy a cow and learn to make the cheese yourself.
@nannacroc (4049)
13 Jul 07
Have you tried the goats milk? lol. I've just had to check what country you live in twice to make sure it wasn't a third world one. We only here all the positive aspects of living in Australia, it's interesting to find out other things.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Jul 07
LOL...no thanks, I already have a goat as well as a cat and dog, plus a friend's dog who visits regularly. My friend has cows but they are breeders. Even if we did get a milking cow, the gov't would no doubt intervene in some way. My friend cannot eat his own meat without paying a sizeable amount to the gov't for the priveledge of doing so.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I love milk! and we buy whole milk on account of grand daughter but not just her I always bought it.Right now it is costing us$7 for 2 gal. and thats a t a 7_11 store not sure what it is at the grocery store. How big is a packet of what you buy and how many gallons can you get out of it? Nope we got to have our Cheese too as we use it in alot of meals. I know the fruit and veggies froze in Calif this winter but cows dont eat that they eat hay so milk prices shouldnt have gone up this high.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
13 Jul 07
yes every one seems to be in a drought across the world. And now we are haveing wild fires and floods . So am hoping it isnt in any places that raise the hay and yes it does seem to be hitt the pocket book of the young couples and the older people. Like me lol
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Jul 07
It makes 10 litres which is about 2 gallons. They are blaming the drought here which is a fair call but also an excuse to hike the price. Crops have done badly from lack of water so feed has not been plentiful. If the cows are in bad condition milk production goes down. They are also considering the export market and availability of milk. Consumption figures of the end product must be phenomenal so a huge price hike like this in my book is not justified.
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
12 Jul 07
I think that the poor farmers are getting the short stick..It not what they are charging its the bloody rip off shops and should be reported, although I think that the consumer watchdog is on their trail. Its absolutely ridiculous the prices that we have to pay, which we do because we need milk etc...
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Jul 07
Since the dairy industry was deregulated all the small dairy farms have been sucked up by the major companies. I reckon there is no such thing as an independant dairy farmer. The little guy has to do what he's told and take what is given him.
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
13 Jul 07
I just saw this on the news tonight....Its so wrong..
@royal52gens (5488)
• United States
13 Jul 07
When the new hybrid engines starting to hit the market, I knew the price of any corn-related product would rise in cost. The farmers around us are screaming because the cost of corn to feed their cows is going up. But the corn that is being grown in the fields is going to make fuel for cars. I am glad that we have an alternative fuel source but we better start planting a whole lot more corn to keep up to the demand. Excuse, I have to go fire up my tractor and plow a field or two more.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Jul 07
It seems we haven't planned too well, what happens if the corn crops fail ?
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jul 07
If the corn crops were to fail, then we would not have enough corn to: 1. feed the cows to get the dairy products or meat products. 2. feed the chickens to get poultry and eggs. 3. heat homes with corn burners. 4. fill the new hybrid vehicles and our demand on oil would go up. 5. cook for dinner. I am sure there are areas that I have not touched on. Others can add to this list if they think of things. But yes, if the corn crops nationwide were to fail, it would definitely have an impact on our economy.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
12 Jul 07
ah the joy of living and seeing prices rise while one's salary stays the same...sadly this seems to be the norm these days prices rise, but paychecks dont!
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
12 Jul 07
I like my Cheese specially with baked Potato but yes I could live without it but only if I really had to The Dairy Products have not really risen here that much so we are quite Lucky I hope that you will be able to carry on getting your Milk
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Jul 07
Thank you sweety. It's vital for me so I really can't do without it. I'm sure things will be fine. xx
@pinklilly (3443)
• Australia
12 Jul 07
I buy alot of Milk, having young kids who drink lots of it. I go through about 10 litres a week... I think it is wrong to keep uping the prices on the necessarties as people are finding it harder to afford their usual grocery items... Interest rates rising, food, petrol, everything but income and that leaves us all with less to spend... We struggle more and more....
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Jul 07
So true my friend. We are better off though than some I guess. We might not like the situation but I think it will be worse before it's better...we will be ok. :)
• United States
14 Jul 07
Well, Tickle, you have given me one reason for being thankful today. Personally I am not a milk drinker, there is nothing about it at all that I like - YUCK! But my partner swills the white stuff; and I have a true love affair with cheese. While the prices in the US have gone up, the most I have paid for a gallon of 2% milk has been $3.09. I can't imagine paying the price you are as we go through about 3 gallons a week. I agree with another responder that perhaps the cows are being raised on petroleum. ~Donna
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
24 Jul 07
It would almost seem so...it's a shame they can't figure out how to run cars efficiently without upsetting the balance of nature even more than it already is. Thank you for joining this discussion Donna.
• Malaysia
13 Jul 07
There was a salary increase for public sector workers in my countries recently. Due to the increase in salary, a lot of goods prices increased as well. Not only milk but almost all necessary grocery stuffs had increased in price. I am a housewife and my husband is not earning that much money either. So just imagine how we are right now. Fortunately we don't have kids, and I can't drink milk due to my stomach intolerance to it. My husband doesn't like fresh or skimmed milk either, he prefers sweetened condensed milk to drink with tea or coffee. I guess cheese was never is our budget. We eat rice as a staple food, so I make sure that we are always supplied with rice at home. I buy fish, meat and chicken in bulk and store them in the fridge for a weeks' consumption. In this way I am able to save on fuel, energy, money and time.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Jul 07
You are one clever lady and you seem to have everything under control. good for you! :)
@mummymo (23706)
12 Jul 07
That is shocking honey! Dairy is a food type that is vital to many people and specifically to the very young and the elderly and as usual young families are being targetted! I think it is awful that basic food groups are being made so expensive and something should be done about it! I am right behind you on this one honey! xxx
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Jul 07
Thanks Mate! Yes, it's the vulnerable ones being got at AGAIN!
• United States
13 Jul 07
Here in West Virginia (USA), I pay anywhere from $3.50-$4.50 per gallon of milk. We have been paying those prices for several years now. Its more expensive for a gallon of milk than gasoline. I try to get a variety of yogurt, cheese, etc and substitute powdered milk as well. I have children and some young ones at that so I can't do without milk or dairy. The prices to eat good and healthy just keep rising and rising.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Jul 07
It's recently been found that canola is high in Omega 3 . It used to be quite inexpensivve to buy Canola spread and also cooking oil. Now, the prices have soared! It's just wrong. How can we be healthy when quality food is so expensive as you and a few others have pointed out? Thanks for your response.
@trk918 (254)
• United States
13 Jul 07
Try buying online. I know a lot of people use internet-grocer.com. I have not personally purchased from them. There are many other companies that sell bulk or dried foods also. You may have to buy more at a time but it may be cheaper. Good luck.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Jul 07
I live a long way from the shops in a remote village. I try to buy in bulk where possible, hence the powdered milk. Some products have to be brought fresh. The climate is harsh here and the spoil is poor so it's difficult to grow things. As for buying on-line, LOL, I don't think so. Can you imagine the delivery charges?
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
13 Jul 07
I am a vegetarian but I still have dairy products. I have childern too so it is important to us to have a supply in the house. Dairy is the most expensive item on my shopping list. I am in Canada and don't know how this will effect us but already 3 bags of milk (4l) is over $7.00 Canadian. Considering I go through 2 to 3 sets a week that is already at most like $80.00 a month just on the milk. Never mind cheese which for a family size block is about 8 bucks. I do use soya milk and it looks like I am going to have to drink a lot more of that. Luckily the kids like it. Jeepers! Vicki
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Jul 07
I was once told (incorrectly) that I was intolerant to dairy products. I love soy milk but it is expensive in Australia and some of it tastes awful. Back then, you could only buy soy cheese from the health food shop and it tasted like rancid soap. Yuck! Have you ever tried to eat pizza without cheese...take my advice...don't do it!! LOL.
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I see this happen all of the time around here as well. There are other choices of calcium, but milk tastes so good. How much can you make with the packet you buy. I still buy fresh milk, but I have always used the powdered version for cooking. I have to wait for each time it is on sale then buy what I want. I use whole milk and I make an evening shake for hubby because with his schedule and the heat he does not eat as well as I would like him to do. I do not need the fat, and it was suggested that I would like to reduce cheese intake for my blood fats. Yes, I agree, they probably raised it when they said the price might rise, then they will rise again. Good luck.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
12 Jul 07
Thanks Gerty. It says on the pack it makes 10 litres but I have extra in my coffee. :) I don't need the fat either and that's why I have skim milk. I buy UHT whole milk for emergencies but the price of that was normal...it's only a matter of time I guess.
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
12 Jul 07
Luckily enough I live in dairy country. Our milk is really pretty cheap. I don't drink much milk, but do love my cheese and other dairy products. I could do without them, but would be very upset if I couldn't eat them any more. I also live quite close to the "cheese" state so right now the only thing we have a problem with are gas prices !! Sorry you are facing milk inflation..lol. Hopefully it will go down soon.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Jul 07
Lucky you Mishleen. I remember when if the price of bread or milk went up a cent or two there was a huge outcry and the price would be re-adjusted. This price hike is OVER $2.00!! Our government is currently looking into wether or not our supermarkets are price fixing but nothing has come to light...What a load of bulldust that is!.
@gwendovere (1279)
• United States
13 Jul 07
Actually, I wasn't aware of it till now. But I think everything goes back to high gas prices.
1 person likes this
@nonew3 (1941)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I have seriously cut down on my use of dairy products, as I am an organic-vegetarian who allows milk and eggs and is slowly transitioning into organic-veganism (buying and eating certified organic stuff whenever possible while maintaining veganism). I suppose that the timing couldn't be better for me to do this, as the cost of dairy products is increasing so terribly. And, the price of meat....I won't even go there. I drink a lot of organic soy milk, some rice milk, and some almond milk now, and don't drink much organic milk now.
@tredale (1309)
• Australia
12 Jul 07
Gosh I am so with you Ms Tickle, it cost a fortune for needs but wants are as cheap as chips. For example here we pay about $4.00 for three litres of milk but I can get a 2litre bottle of soft drink for 99cents. Its the same with fruit, it cost a small fortune for fruit and veggie but 2kilos of lollies can be got for $1.00, I think its out rages and then they wonder why everyone has obesety issues. Cheese here is about $8.00 but a pack of chips will set you back a mere $1.50 to $3.00. Its no wonder families are buying for snacking that are bad for you when the good healthy stuff is so expensive.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
12 Jul 07
You're right. I never looked at that comparison , luckily, I'm not a soft drink and lolly person to any extent. I paid nearly $3 the other day for a small qwuantity of prepacked grapes, only to find they were practically inedible. I'll be checking other brands for comparison next time I go shopping.
@Lissaboo (43)
• United States
13 Jul 07
I've never been a big milk drinker so I can't understand your concern in that department, but to tell me that CHEESE is going up!? Now that is a different story! I don't think I go a single day without slathering something with cheese.You would think with as many cows as there are in this world it woudln't be a problem.Sheesh!
1 person likes this