I’ve been working at a Walmart, manning a table set up for people to get information about Medicare and ACA Marketplace plans. a certain percentage sign up for a new plan in the process.
I’m located near the Produce/Deli/Bakery Depts. As a result, I get to see the daily availability of many fresh foods.
The stands are packed high with basic food items. Many are more expensive this year, yet there are still bargains. Compared to Socialist countries, we live in a Food Paradise. MULTIPLE varieties of most fruits and vegetables, they look fresh and healthy, and, other than an occasional sale item, the bins are heaped high. The only empty sections are those waiting for the overworked workers to refill them from the stored produce in the back.
Many foreigners would be gobsmacked by the abundance, and the lack of ration coupons needed to buy things. There are no people lined up for scarce items, and pushing, shoving, fearful that their family will go hungry. The abnormal situation, for America, was during the shipping/trucking caused shortages of the early Biden administration. That time period chilled many, and led to more gardening, increased preparation efforts, and the massive growth of the canning industry.
The mood has swung from near-panic, to a more relaxed acceptance of the need to build up home supplies of necessities. Most of us have become smarter shoppers, who are on the lookout for bargains, and willing to shift food purchases to the price swings.
In my family/friend circles, paying down debt is a priority. If they are typical, expect this to be a lean Christmas for retailers. I know I’m marking down possible purchases early, and making use of online shopping for useful gifts. My goal is to complete all Christmas prep by the end of November.
I’m trying to stay out of Chicken Little Mode. While the inflation will take a huge bite out of my budget, it may also allow my investments to improve. Hey, I can HOPE.
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If the leftists in power succeed in achieving their goal most American stores willloom like the stores in Moscow circa 1968. They WANT us standing in long lines to starve on moldy bread.
Which WM are you talking about?The one here in town has suckage for produce & meat – good thing there’s an HEB where quality and attitude are multitudes of better.
It’s in Parma, OH. One of the Superstores. I used Walmart as an example, as I’ve spent quite a few hours there, lately. I also shop at Meijer’s, Apple’s, Giant Eagle, and Aldi’s. ALL have abundant and good produce at present. Some items are pricier, for example, butter is a horrible price just now. Occasionally, a baking item or bulk food may be in short supply. But, mostly, supplies are plentiful.
Around 1995 I rented one of our upstairs apartments to a Russian family. My wife and I took the wife to the supermarket. As is usual, the first thing you see at the entrance is the produce department. A couple thousand square feet and every bin overflowing. In February. Olga was literally gobsmacked, standing in the doorway with her jaw dropped. She recovered enough for my wife to take her around and get what they needed but she was still shaken.
When my in-laws come to visit from Kazakhstan and Russia, they are floored by the abundance the first time they arrive. My aunt-in-law loves soup. She was jaw-dropped amazed at the soup aisle – the assortment of types of soup, and the differing brands. NOBODY could believe that there were multiple supermarkets in the area, all serving the same population.
In a similar vein, I gave my friend in Israel a video-chat tour of our house and property. We have two acres, or eight dunams in their circle. Unheard-of to anyone but uber-rich over there.
People here, who have never traveled overseas, have NO IDEA of the plenty we have available.
I do not understand medicare or ACA or any of the ads on TV, especially the ones that tell me my benefits are based on zip code. I distrust anyone giving information because they are probably trying to scam me. WHY does the government make this all unintelligible? It is almost as though the intent is to disenfranchise senior citizens and deny them their benefits that they paid for. This isn’t “choice” this is confusion. Therefore I ignore it and I get what I get and have no clue how to change that or make it better.
Capitalism in action this veritable plethora, a virtual cornucopia of foodstuffs…for now.