blake murphy wrote:
>
> this article from *slate* is called
>
> Scratch That
>
> How cost-effective is it to make homemade pantry staples?
> By Jennifer Reese
>
> <http://www.slate.com/id/2216611/?wpisrc=eDialog>
>
> now, the staples she tries - bagels, cream cheese, yogurt, jam, crackers
> and granola - aren't really staples in my household, but i thought some
> folks might find it of interest.
>
> your pal,
> blake

We make our own bread; never sat down and calculated the cost as such,
but obviously commercial bakers get their flour cheaper than we can.
Jam is cheaper if one has fruit out of the garden, otherwise probably
not cheaper.
Make cream cheese and yoghurt here and there; cheap enough if the milk
and cream are reduced price. Same with ice cream. It's been at least a
year since we've paid more than 2.00 per gallon of milk...
Never tried making crackers but might in the future.
Hate granola but that certainly should be cheaper made at home.

The point is the home-made versions won't contain the chemicals put in
as preservatives, colours, sweeteners, fillers etc. Is that cost
effective? Who cares? It tastes better and should be safer to eat.