Crazy Grocery Prices - Due to Loonie tanking.

[lorken]

Rice lasts a long time. I buy the 10Lb bag when on sale and put in mason jars to keep it fresh...

... I pick up about 2-3 bags at a time...

OK @Frugalbigmama and @maggiespice , you two have convinced me!
I just picked up an 18.1 kg bag of rice, which will last the 2 of us awhile. I've put some in a tupperware container to have at hand in my kitchen pantry and then I rolled the top of the sack closed, clipped it so it will stay closed, and currently have it sitting on a shelf in a cool storage area in my basement.

But can I leave it like that (in the original sack), or do I have to store it a certain way to ensure it keeps well? How does everyone store their extra rice? I don't want to discover it has gone stale, or dried out, or got infested somehow...

[macw1960]

OK @Frugalbigmama and @maggiespice , you two have convinced me!
I just picked up an 18.1 kg bag of rice, which will last the 2 of us awhile. I've put some in a tupperware container to have at hand in my kitchen pantry and then I rolled the top of the sack closed, clipped it so it will stay closed, and currently have it sitting on a shelf in a cool storage area in my basement.

But can I leave it like that (in the original sack), or do I have to store it a certain way to ensure it keeps well? How does everyone store their extra rice? I don't want to discover it has gone stale, or dried out, or got infested somehow...

You can freeze rice but once removed from the freezer it needs to be stored in the refrigerator.

[Purdee]

@ lorken, my parents buy large bag of rice and store it in a large cylindrical plastic pail or bucket with a lid - similar to the one below from home depot. Of course they would dump the rice out of the bag it comes in and into this bucket. Plus we eat rice pretty much every day so it does not last too long. I think the goal is to keep the rice in a dry container.

[Lavender Lady]

Last night on the news, they mentioned that the average family wastes about $1500 of food each year. They anticipate that food will cost the average family about $350 to $400 more per year.
If we waste even half what we normally do, we'll still be ahead. I for one, have resolved to buy only what I need each week (esp the fresh perishables) to keep my food costs in line (and maybe even ahead!)

[maggiespice]

OK @Frugalbigmama and @maggiespice , you two have convinced me!
I just picked up an 18.1 kg bag of rice, which will last the 2 of us awhile. I've put some in a tupperware container to have at hand in my kitchen pantry and then I rolled the top of the sack closed, clipped it so it will stay closed, and currently have it sitting on a shelf in a cool storage area in my basement.

But can I leave it like that (in the original sack), or do I have to store it a certain way to ensure it keeps well? How does everyone store their extra rice? I don't want to discover it has gone stale, or dried out, or got infested somehow...

We eat up are stock in about 6-8 months. For very long time storage, it can be dry canned. I have not personally done that, but I have heard good things about it---if you do it right.

[Frugalbigmama]

Last night on the news, they mentioned that the average family wastes about $1500 of food each year. They anticipate that food will cost the average family about $350 to $400 more per year.
If we waste even half what we normally do, we'll still be ahead. I for one, have resolved to buy only what I need each week (esp the fresh perishables) to keep my food costs in line (and maybe even ahead!)

Good plan! This is where meal planning comes in handy. Take inventory and buy what you need to make the meals that week. And if you buy a jumbo pack of romaine hearts etc, plan the meals around that for the week so it doesn't go bad. DS loves cucumbers and they were on for .97 cents at WM and I had 400 PC PTS so I bought 3 (we had one still) so he will get these in his lunch everyday this week and sliced up with dinner etc. Planning is key!

[Decaf]

OK @Frugalbigmama and @maggiespice , you two have convinced me!
I just picked up an 18.1 kg bag of rice, which will last the 2 of us awhile. I've put some in a tupperware container to have at hand in my kitchen pantry and then I rolled the top of the sack closed, clipped it so it will stay closed, and currently have it sitting on a shelf in a cool storage area in my basement.

But can I leave it like that (in the original sack), or do I have to store it a certain way to ensure it keeps well? How does everyone store their extra rice? I don't want to discover it has gone stale, or dried out, or got infested somehow...

Best way to store rice is leave it in it's original bag unopened in a large plastic bin. Close the lid tightly and it should last 2 years. For opened bag rice, transfer the rice to any container with tightly closed lid such as large cooking pot, plastic pail, plastic container. Don't freeze or refridgerate rice, leave it in the kitchen cabinet.

[tjthemanto]

2016 is going to be worse for Food prices than 2015. Apparently things are going to be almost 10 % higher . So if you think 2015 was bad, its not going to get any better, actually it will be worse

Also utilities and property taxes and fees and fines seem to be going up almost everwhere.

[couponingtosurvive]

The prices are making serving up fresh food difficult. The stinker too is that our local grocery is all but sold out of a lot of frozen veg as well. Have such a craving on for cauliflower too. Boo. Just won't/can't pay $6.00 for a fresh cauliflower. But I am getting close. lol.

[wimbly11]

This thread makes me sad. It's costing an arm and a leg to eat healthy and now its going to get worse?!?

[toronto166]

If this helps any one of you, it will make me happy.....just came back from Walmart and did a price match with Oceans Supermarket (Mississauga location) and purchased 2 bunches of broccoli for $3. They are $3.97 each at WM. They were a pretty good size as well.

[maggiespice]

This thread makes me sad. It's costing an arm and a leg to eat healthy and now its going to get worse?!?

It is not the nicest thing to discuss that is for sure. BUT, I guess it is being realistic too. Prices are just going to get higher and higher. The choice then belongs to the consumer either to purchase the product or not.

It sure makes you wonder though, when things get to the point that only the very rich is going to be able to purchase, will companies just quit making the products?? Will it just sit on the store shelf and go bad when it is perishable? I know this happens now, but I am talking on a big time scale.

(Ok, now I just getting downright depressing, but sometimes my mind goes there.....sorry......)

[Ciel]

Good tip about looking for Chinese New Year sales at grocery stores to get large bags of rice. Also, keep Diwali holiday sales in mind for rice as some major chains promote rice among the groceries sold for that holiday too.

Cauliflower is in the frozen bags of California mix veggies with the carrots and broccoli. Arctic Gardens comes in 454g bags but also a larger 1.8kg? bag. Look for sales on the large bags at WM or major stores. Fortino's sometimes has the smaller bags of Arctic Garden veggies on sale (some varieties are stir fry blends).

[Ciel]

@tjthemanto -was scoping out the Fortino's flyer for any baking deals as I need some items.
Bulk foods -organic hazelnuts are just over $39/kg. Don't need hazelnuts but sure wish I had a stash of Nutella jars at home. Craving chocolate hazelnut spread on toast!

[scouponer]

@tjthemanto -was scoping out the Fortino's flyer for any baking deals as I need some items.
Bulk foods -organic hazelnuts are just over $39/kg. Don't need hazelnuts but sure wish I had a stash of Nutella jars at home. Craving chocolate hazelnut spread on toast!

Check out this weeks flyers... I think no frills? Has Nutella for $2