It's been a bit since we talked this one so was wondering what changes
you've all seen in the last year?

The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol). The
most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic veggies and
fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the overall variety
offered.

cshenk wrote:
> It's been a bit since we talked this one so was wondering what changes
> you've all seen in the last year?
>
> The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol).
> The most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic
> veggies and fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the
> overall variety offered.

There have been a lot of sales on beef lately. Chicken and eggs have
gone up a lot. Produce is probably the stuff tht has gone up the most.

On Feb 20, 5:18*pm, "cshenk" > wrote:
> It's been a bit since we talked this one so was wondering what changes
> you've all seen in the last year?
>
> The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol). *The
> most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic veggies and
> fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the overall variety
> offered.

Has it been a year since pasta went through the roof? Used to be
Lenten prices were 3 or 4 pounds for a dollar, now it's 4 lb for $5!

maxine in ri

cshenk wrote:
> It's been a bit since we talked this one so was wondering what changes
> you've all seen in the last year?
>
> The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol).
> The most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic
> veggies and fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the
> overall variety offered.

Lamb prices. I used to be able to get lamb shoulder steaks on sale for
2.49 per pound. These days, it is never less than 4.99 per pound.

-Tracy

"cshenk" > wrote in message
news
> It's been a bit since we talked this one so was wondering what changes
> you've all seen in the last year?
>
> The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol).
> The most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic
> veggies and fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the overall
> variety offered.

This week - Ralphs (Kroger) branded frozen veggies were on sale $1.00 per
package. They used to be 16 Oz. this week they were all 12Oz.

Some were a good value @ 12 Oz most were not.

Some sale beef - got less expensive.

This year Last year
Tri tip $1.99 $2.49 to $2.99
Boneless Chuck $1.67 $2.49
Short Ribs $1.99 $2,99
OM Bologna $1.00 12oz $1.50 12oz
Best foods Mayo $2.50 30 oz $2.99 30 oz.
Kraft Blue M & C .50 (WM) .75
--
Dimitri

Searing

http://kitchenguide.wordpress.com.

cshenk > wrote:

>It's been a bit since we talked this one so was wondering what changes
>you've all seen in the last year?

>The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol). The
>most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic veggies and
>fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the overall variety
>offered.

The total absence of local salmon is the major shock. I guess that's
two years running but it's still a shock to the system.

(I should say near-total absence; there has been some indigenously
harvested salmon, but it's way limited.)

The grass-fed meat availability seems to have steadied and
stabilized... now there are most meat products I would want available
more of the time.

Dungeness crab is more available than in past years, when
it has run out earlier than this. It's still around (although
I think it was a little better earlier in the season).

I do not see much change in fruit and vegetable availability
(or really, cost) relative to the past several years.

Steve

"Dave Smith" wrote
> cshenk wrote:

>> The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol).
>> The most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic
>> veggies and fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the
>> overall variety offered.
>
> There have been a lot of sales on beef lately. Chicken and eggs have gone
> up a lot. Produce is probably the stuff tht has gone up the most.

I think the beef sales are seasonal. They kill off the yearlings about late
fall/early winter so they dont have to feed them. Definately noted produce
since we do a lot of fresh veggies here. Potatoes have tripled in the last
2 years ir seems?

"maxine in ri" wrote
"cshenk" wrote:

> Has it been a year since pasta went through the roof? Used to be
> Lenten prices were 3 or 4 pounds for a dollar, now it's 4 lb for $5!

Hadnt noticed but I'll look today. We dont really do that much pasta here
(for all that last night was a rare pasta meal).

"Tracy" > wrote
> cshenk wrote:

> Lamb prices. I used to be able to get lamb shoulder steaks on sale for
> 2.49 per pound. These days, it is never less than 4.99 per pound.

Hi Tracy, where is 'bc.edu' in general? edu I get, BC seems to have several
possibles. Anyways, I'd be delighted to find any cut of lamb (hogget even)
for 4.99lb. I'm in Virginia, USA.

Pork has been very cheap lately. Pork shoulder roast was 67 cents a
pound before Christmas. Ribs have been between $1.29 and $1.49 per
pound when on sale. Pork "steaks" and Country Style Ribs have been $1.17
a pound.

George L

"Dimitri" wrote
> "cshenk" wrote

>> It's been a bit since we talked this one so was wondering what changes
>> you've all seen in the last year?

> This week - Ralphs (Kroger) branded frozen veggies were on sale $1.00 per
> package. They used to be 16 Oz. this week they were all 12Oz.

Yeah, I think we've all seen and suffered that one in the changed sizes. I
use mostly fresh veggies so hadnt really noticed the frozen ones changed.

> Some sale beef - got less expensive.
>
> This year Last year
> Tri tip $1.99 $2.49 to $2.99
> Boneless Chuck $1.67 $2.49
> Short Ribs $1.99 $2,99
> OM Bologna $1.00 12oz $1.50 12oz
> Best foods Mayo $2.50 30 oz $2.99 30 oz.
> Kraft Blue M & C .50 (WM) .75

Interesting! Not suprising either. There's been a general rise but an off
set in loss leader sales. A wise shopper can still do ok, if not set on a
particular item.

"Steve Pope" wrote
> cshenk wrote:

>>The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol).
>>The
>>most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic veggies
>>and
>>fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the overall variety
>>offered.

> The total absence of local salmon is the major shock. I guess that's
> two years running but it's still a shock to the system.

Being well away from the 'local salmon runs' I'd not notice such. I'm one
happy to use farm raised fish and if it cooks a little different, I've
learned o cook around that. Checking stock, we have the last 15lbs of Don's
catch from his fishing trip last year (deep sea pacific trip).

> The grass-fed meat availability seems to have steadied and
> stabilized... now there are most meat products I would want available
> more of the time.

So I have heard! I see that local here too.

> Dungeness crab is more available than in past years, when
> it has run out earlier than this. It's still around (although
> I think it was a little better earlier in the season).

Here it's the atlantic blue crab. Still lots of them. Not much meat on
them so not really much commecial interest but they are excellent live and
fresh.

> I do not see much change in fruit and vegetable availability
> (or really, cost) relative to the past several years.

I do but this probably has a good bit to do with differences in how you and
I eat. A normal meal here will have 2-3 fresh veggies and usually some
fresh fruit. Meat is more a garnish (medical reasons mostly).

On Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:18:34 -0500, cshenk wrote:

> It's been a bit since we talked this one so was wondering what changes
> you've all seen in the last year?
>
> The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol). The
> most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic veggies and
> fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the overall variety
> offered.

well, to be fair, you'd have to say 'reduced the overall variety of
non-organic vegetables.' i'm sure devotees of organics would say variety
for them has increased.

your pal,
blake

"George Leppla" wrote

> Pork has been very cheap lately. Pork shoulder roast was 67 cents a pound
> before Christmas. Ribs have been between $1.29 and $1.49 per pound when
> on sale. Pork "steaks" and Country Style Ribs have been $1.17 a pound.

I'll probably be getting some pork today. Thats one of the meats we've run
down on in the freezer. Because of snow and things, I havent been shopping
for at least a month. Might have been longer ;-)

On Feb 20, 5:51*pm, "Dimitri" > wrote:
> "cshenk" > wrote in message
>
> news >
> > It's been a bit since we talked this one so was wondering what changes
> > you've all seen in the last year?
>
> > The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol)..
> > The most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic
> > veggies and fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the overall
> > variety offered.
>
> This week - Ralphs (Kroger) branded frozen veggies were on sale $1.00 per
> package. *They used to be 16 Oz. this week they were all 12Oz.
>
> Some were a good value @ 12 Oz most were not.
>
> Some sale beef - got less expensive.
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This year * * * * * *Last year
> Tri tip * * * * * * * * * * * *$1.99 * * * * * * * *$2.49 to $2.99
> Boneless Chuck * * *$1.67 * * * * * * * *$2.49
> Short Ribs * * * * * * * *$1.99 * * * * * * * *$2,99
> OM Bologna * * * * * * *$1.00 12oz * * $1.50 12oz
> Best foods Mayo * * *$2.50 30 oz * *$2.99 30 oz.
> Kraft Blue M & C * * * *.50 *(WM) * * * * .75
> --
> Dimitri
>
> Searing
>
> http://kitchenguide.wordpress.com.

Here in SoCal the cost of eggs has really sky-rocketed. The 99 cents
stores, around the San Gabriel Valley, no longer have them in stock;
TJ's now charges $1.49/dozen . Their brand has gone from $.99/dozen to
the $1.49 price point; Fresh & Easy is the same. The hispanic markets
around here haven't put eggs in as loss leaders since December.
Wonder what the prices will be as it gets closer to Passover & Easter?

Harriet & critters (Faddy Tabby Catty & Ms Tabby Ann, who is sorta
feral and whom I haven't seen in several days, but then she has her
own box & her partially hidden food dish is always empty!)

In article >,
"cshenk" > wrote:

> It's been a bit since we talked this one so was wondering what changes
> you've all seen in the last year?
>
> The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol). The
> most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic veggies and
> fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the overall variety
> offered.

Beef prices (and some seafood) have drastically dropped here over the
past year. Veggie variety has gone up and the prices have fluctuated
wildly. The greatest price increase has been to milk and other dairy
products. Pork and chicken have stayed about the same, as have eggs.
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people until they put their foot down."
--Steve Rothstein

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>

Subscribe:

cshenk > wrote:

>"Steve Pope" wrote

>> I do not see much change in fruit and vegetable availability
>> (or really, cost) relative to the past several years.

>I do but this probably has a good bit to do with differences in how you and
>I eat. A normal meal here will have 2-3 fresh veggies and usually some
>fresh fruit. Meat is more a garnish (medical reasons mostly).

Actually, this would also describe our pattern -- we target
between 0 and 3 ounces of meat per day per person. Most days,
it is zero.

I'm less of a fruit-eater than my cohabitating partner, who
is big on apples and satsumas this time of year.

Steve

In article >,
(Steve Pope) wrote:

> Actually, this would also describe our pattern -- we target
> between 0 and 3 ounces of meat per day per person. Most days,
> it is zero.

So how do you supplement essential amino acids?
A deficiency is no joke.

I never did get why people take pride in avoiding meat.
--
Peace! Om

"Human nature seems to be to control other people until they put their foot down."
--Steve Rothstein

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>

Subscribe:

Omelet > wrote:

> (Steve Pope) wrote:

>> Actually, this would also describe our pattern -- we target
>> between 0 and 3 ounces of meat per day per person. Most days,
>> it is zero.

>So how do you supplement essential amino acids?

I do it the old-school way -- I balance proteins between
grains and legumes, include various complete proteins
I like tofu, dairy, eggs, and some meat and fish, and
include nuts in my diet.

(And how does what I wrote conjure up "taking pride in not
eating meat"? In the first place, I am eating meat. Maybe
less than some folks, but a not insignificant amount.)

I have reasons, including a diagnosis of gout, for eating
a (comparatively) low-meat diet.


Steve

> "maxine in ri" wrote
> "cshenk" wrote:

>> Has it been a year since pasta went through the roof? Used to be
>> Lenten prices were 3 or 4 pounds for a dollar, now it's 4 lb for $5!

> Hadnt noticed but I'll look today. We dont really do that much pasta here
> (for all that last night was a rare pasta meal).

Maxine, yes. Went up. 6 boxes of Barilla at BJ's were 6.99.

I just made a major stock up run as I was about out of many things. I
checked and i havent shopped in 7 weeks for more than a few fresh things.
Combination of weather and medical had us living off the freezer and stocked
items. There was still plenty here but not the 'goodies' so I was mostly on
a goodies run (grin).

"George Leppla" wrote

> Pork has been very cheap lately. Pork shoulder roast was 67 cents a pound
> before Christmas. Ribs have been between $1.29 and $1.49 per pound when
> on sale. Pork "steaks" and Country Style Ribs have been $1.17 a pound.

Saw about same at BJ's. They were out of pork shoulders just when I went
but I scored some good sales anyways on pork loin which they chop for you to
order (no extra fee).

The country ribs looked excellent but the pork loin is all we can nibble up,
even frozen, in 2 months for us.

"Steve Pope" wrote
> cshenk wrote:

>>I do but this probably has a good bit to do with differences in how you
>>and
>>I eat. A normal meal here will have 2-3 fresh veggies and usually some
>>fresh fruit. Meat is more a garnish (medical reasons mostly).
>
> Actually, this would also describe our pattern -- we target
> between 0 and 3 ounces of meat per day per person. Most days,
> it is zero.

We do about 3-4oz a day of meat. Not all days, but most.

> I'm less of a fruit-eater than my cohabitating partner, who
> is big on apples and satsumas this time of year.

Grin, got a load of meekans. Ok, they have a different name here but same
thing. 'Mandarin Orange' in classic terms. The Bosk pears looked good too
but I'm the only one who likes them and the BJ sized package was too big for
me.

Tomorrow probably I get more fresh greens. Today's trip was more related to
stocks of non-food things like toilet paper and such.

"Omelet" wrote
(Steve Pope) wrote:

>> Actually, this would also describe our pattern -- we target
>> between 0 and 3 ounces of meat per day per person. Most days,
>> it is zero.

> So how do you supplement essential amino acids?
> A deficiency is no joke.

Om, it takes 1 oz a day to provide that.

> I never did get why people take pride in avoiding meat.

In our case, we just like veggies better. Some portion of medical needs
combined with that. We arent vegetarians by any means. Heck, I just came
home with 10 lbs pork loin! Also 6lbs ground beef (winter, Don can't grind
as well when cold due to arthritis and we needed some for his favorite
dishes) then the beef loin (5 lbs or so). 21 lbs of meat, good 3 months
probably here when you add the fish and chicken we eat.

I dont take pride in avoiding meat. I just explain it when folks like
Sheldon say you need a 5lb chicken to feed a single teen.

"Steve Pope" wrote
> Omelet wrote:

> I do it the old-school way -- I balance proteins between
> grains and legumes, include various complete proteins
> I like tofu, dairy, eggs, and some meat and fish, and
> include nuts in my diet.

Same here. Reasons different but no one here is suffering.

> (And how does what I wrote conjure up "taking pride in not
> eating meat"? In the first place, I am eating meat. Maybe
> less than some folks, but a not insignificant amount.)
>
> I have reasons, including a diagnosis of gout, for eating
> a (comparatively) low-meat diet.

Mine is natural genetics and cholestrol. I had Charlotte tested. She's
like me. Don runs high too but not eye-popping 400's levels without
control. They have him on lipitor now though. His isnt yielding to diet
control and is without them well above normal even on our lower cholestrol
diet.

"blake murphy" wrote
> cshenk wrote:

>> The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol).
>> The
>> most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic veggies
>> and
>> fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the overall variety
>> offered.
>
> well, to be fair, you'd have to say 'reduced the overall variety of
> non-organic vegetables.' i'm sure devotees of organics would say variety
> for them has increased.

LOL true! But I want to see all the extra stuff that I used to see. I am
not one to want to pay more for 'organic' in most things.

"Ranée at Arabian Knits" wrote
> "cshenk" wrote:

>> It's been a bit since we talked this one so was wondering what changes
>> you've all seen in the last year?

> Produce prices have been so much higher over the past year, I think.
> Even accounting for out of season prices, for instance, things are
> extraordinarily expensive. We live in apple country, but we didn't see
> many good prices on apples at all this fall. We're seeing sale prices
> of $0.99 far more than $0.48, which used to be normal. When we get them
> at a decent price, we buy tons.

I noted apples got higher too and it wasnt a seasonal variation such as the
rotten weather in the east coast will result in higher organce prices next
year.

> Something we noticed when the price of food was first starting to go
> up was that organics actually didn't rise in price at the same rate. If
> they rose at all, it was quite minimal. It's made organics and such
> more reasonable options.

If I want organic, i grow it in my yard ;-)

> It's also made us more likely to buy from farmers directly, since the
> price of food is so high anyway, and at least we know they'll get most
> of the money.

I'm with you there!

"Ranée at Arabian Knits" wrote
> "cshenk" wrote:

>> I dont take pride in avoiding meat. I just explain it when folks like
>> Sheldon say you need a 5lb chicken to feed a single teen.
>
> LOL! We can feed our family of eight with that. We don't make a
> meal of any one single food. That's our secret. ;-)

Same here!

Dinner tonight: Basmati rice, Carrot soup, crockpot medly (over rice),
steamed cabbage, meekans, and the last of that pasta dish I made last night.

Not vegetarian as the crockpot medly has chicken and ham in it.

On Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:18:34 -0500, cshenk wrote:
=
> The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol).

Beef is the same or lower than it was 3 years ago.

-sw

cshenk wrote:
>
> "Steve Pope" wrote
> > cshenk wrote:
>
> >>I do but this probably has a good bit to do with differences in how you
> >>and
> >>I eat. A normal meal here will have 2-3 fresh veggies and usually some
> >>fresh fruit. Meat is more a garnish (medical reasons mostly).
> >
> > Actually, this would also describe our pattern -- we target
> > between 0 and 3 ounces of meat per day per person. Most days,
> > it is zero.
>
> We do about 3-4oz a day of meat. Not all days, but most.

We don't eat meat/fish every day either. It's not the focus of our
meals.

>
> > I'm less of a fruit-eater than my cohabitating partner, who
> > is big on apples and satsumas this time of year.
>
> Grin, got a load of meekans. Ok, they have a different name here but same
> thing. 'Mandarin Orange' in classic terms. The Bosk pears looked good too
> but I'm the only one who likes them and the BJ sized package was too big for
> me.

LOL thanks for the explanation of meekans. New food term for me

>
> Tomorrow probably I get more fresh greens. Today's trip was more related to
> stocks of non-food things like toilet paper and such.

We belong to Sam's and Costco. They are in the same street and same
distance to Wallymart, not far from us. We get fuel at Sam's; normally
priced at least .05/gallon less than surrounding stations. That pays for
part of the membership in a year. We buy staples there such as rice,
sugar, pasta (Italian often) and oatmeal. We're willing to give those
storage room. Costco has a wider range of cheeses at reasonable prices
than the other place we go for cheese, which is Whole Foods. Paper
towels, loo roll, detergent and washing-up liquid are less than anywhere
around. Considering my next couple of pairs of glasses from one or the
other; they seem to be less as well. We don't buy much in the way of
fruit/veg there cos those packs are too large to keep. We have a cheap
place to get those at Sunflower.

It always depends on what's available locally. We do well at Sam's and
Costco and don't mind buying nonperishables in bulk for the two of us.
YMMV

"Ranée at Arabian Knits" wrote:
>
> In article >,
> "cshenk" > wrote:
>
> > "Ranée at Arabian Knits" wrote
> >
> > > Something we noticed when the price of food was first starting to go
> > > up was that organics actually didn't rise in price at the same rate. If
> > > they rose at all, it was quite minimal. It's made organics and such
> > > more reasonable options.
> >
> > If I want organic, i grow it in my yard ;-)
>
> There's only so much we can grow. I can't grow organic bananas no
> matter how hard I try. :-)


LOL no neither can we. It's been below freezing most nights here since
November. Mixed rain and snow today.

cshenk wrote:
> "Tracy" > wrote
>> cshenk wrote:
>
>> Lamb prices. I used to be able to get lamb shoulder steaks on sale for
>> 2.49 per pound. These days, it is never less than 4.99 per pound.
>
> Hi Tracy, where is 'bc.edu' in general? edu I get, BC seems to have
> several possibles. Anyways, I'd be delighted to find any cut of lamb
> (hogget even) for 4.99lb. I'm in Virginia, USA.

bc.edu = Boston College.

Lamb prices have been ridiculous lately. Shanks are 4.99 per pound.
I did get some lamb racks for 6.99 per pound the other day at the
Restaurant Depot. At the local grocery store, they'd be 12.99 per pound.

Tracy

In article >,
says...
>
> In article >,
> (Steve Pope) wrote:
>
> > Actually, this would also describe our pattern -- we target
> > between 0 and 3 ounces of meat per day per person. Most days,
> > it is zero.
>
> So how do you supplement essential amino acids?
> A deficiency is no joke.
>
> I never did get why people take pride in avoiding meat.

Unfortunately, most vegetarians I talk to can really give me no "real" reason
for being that way. I had one tell me "no, even Lions don't eat meat, they only
tear out the stomach and eat the grassy content". She was telling me at the
time that "we are the only animal that eats meat". I told her I used to have
tropical fish... Can't even remember how she addressed that The other day at
the Gym, one of the attendants was trying to tell us that "humans are the only
animals that drink mothers milk beyond nursing". I told her that's because we
have thumbs. She continued to say "60% of all humans are actually lactose
intolerant". I haven't done the Google but I am sure that's about as accurate
as the Lions eating only grass...

Please, before you get all over me, re-read the very first 6 words of my
response, particularly the second word "most" and the fourth, "I". Thank you.

Scotty

--
Can I haz Cheezeburger?

Dimitri wrote:
>
> "cshenk" > wrote in message
> news
>> It's been a bit since we talked this one so was wondering what changes
>> you've all seen in the last year?
>>
>> The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol).
>> The most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic
>> veggies and fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the
>> overall variety offered.
>
> This week - Ralphs (Kroger) branded frozen veggies were on sale $1.00
> per package. They used to be 16 Oz. this week they were all 12Oz.
>
> Some were a good value @ 12 Oz most were not.
>
> Some sale beef - got less expensive.
>
> This year Last year
> Tri tip $1.99 $2.49 to $2.99
> Boneless Chuck $1.67 $2.49
> Short Ribs $1.99 $2,99
> OM Bologna $1.00 12oz $1.50 12oz
> Best foods Mayo $2.50 30 oz $2.99 30 oz.
> Kraft Blue M & C .50 (WM) .75

In the Boston area, boneless chuck is never less than 2.99 per
pound. There is one grocery store (Market Basket) which sells it for
1.99 per pound almost consistently but it is out of the way for me.
We'll go there once a month maybe when we hit up the NH State store
for cheap booze.

I have never seen short ribs less than 4.99 per pound.

I have never seen the tri-tip cut in Boston. Perhaps it has a
different name here.

-Tracy

On Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:13:01 -0800, Ranée at Arabian Knits wrote:

> In article >,
> Omelet > wrote:
>
>> I never did get why people take pride in avoiding meat.
>
> Me, neither. I can get wishing to avoid factory farmed meat. I can
> get wanting to buy local. I understand a religious prohibition on
> certain or all meats. I understand (in theory anyway) that some people
> do not like the taste of meat. I don't get people who just don't eat
> meat and thinks that makes them better people or healthier or whatever.
>
> Regards,
> Ranee @ Arabian Knits

to be honest, you also run into proud carnivores ('i like mine dripping
with blood!') who think that makes them superior to wimpy vegetarians. two
sides to the same coin.

your pal,
blake

On Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:19:27 -0500, cshenk wrote:

> "blake murphy" wrote
>> cshenk wrote:
>
>>> The most obvious rise to me was Beef (probably due to corn = ethanol).
>>> The
>>> most obvious difference was addition of huge swatches of organic veggies
>>> and
>>> fruits which take up lots of space so have reduced the overall variety
>>> offered.
>>
>> well, to be fair, you'd have to say 'reduced the overall variety of
>> non-organic vegetables.' i'm sure devotees of organics would say variety
>> for them has increased.
>
> LOL true! But I want to see all the extra stuff that I used to see. I am
> not one to want to pay more for 'organic' in most things.

believe me, i'm sympathetic. sticker shock prevents me from buying most
'organic' stuff.

your pal,
blake