I like to make gingersnaps, and was shopping for molasses. A 12 oz jar
of Grandma's Molasses cost over $4 at my local chain grocers. The
equivalent of over $ 40 per gallon. Even gasoline doesn't cost that much!

I decided to find out the wholesale price.

An on-line bulk distributor wants $ 55 for a 4.5 gallon drum of the same
brand, or about $ 12 a gallon.

And on the commodities market, it sells for around 30 cents a gallon,
although you have to buy tons of it at a time and it doesn't say
"Grandma's."

So how does such a simple product (jar says, "contents: molasses") get
marked up more than 100 fold for retail, and still 40 fold in bulk? Are
those glass jars that expensive?

I am sure this applies to some other products, too, so I am looking
forward to the explanation.

Jim

"Jim" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>I like to make gingersnaps, and was shopping for molasses. A 12 oz jar of
>Grandma's Molasses cost over $4 at my local chain grocers. The equivalent
>of over $ 40 per gallon. Even gasoline doesn't cost that much!
>
> I decided to find out the wholesale price.
>
> An on-line bulk distributor wants $ 55 for a 4.5 gallon drum of the same
> brand, or about $ 12 a gallon.
>
> And on the commodities market, it sells for around 30 cents a gallon,
> although you have to buy tons of it at a time and it doesn't say
> "Grandma's."
>
> So how does such a simple product (jar says, "contents: molasses") get
> marked up more than 100 fold for retail, and still 40 fold in bulk? Are
> those glass jars that expensive?
> I am sure this applies to some other products, too, so I am looking
> forward to the explanation.
>
> Jim


Wholesale cost on that jar is $1.78, give or take a dime depending on a
number of factors. Who's your local chain store?

Jim wrote:
> I like to make gingersnaps, and was shopping for molasses. A 12 oz jar
> of Grandma's Molasses cost over $4 at my local chain grocers. The
> equivalent of over $ 40 per gallon. Even gasoline doesn't cost that much!
>
> I decided to find out the wholesale price.
>
> An on-line bulk distributor wants $ 55 for a 4.5 gallon drum of the same
> brand, or about $ 12 a gallon.
>
> And on the commodities market, it sells for around 30 cents a gallon,
> although you have to buy tons of it at a time and it doesn't say
> "Grandma's."
>
> So how does such a simple product (jar says, "contents: molasses") get
> marked up more than 100 fold for retail, and still 40 fold in bulk? Are
> those glass jars that expensive?
>
> I am sure this applies to some other products, too, so I am looking
> forward to the explanation.
>
> Jim

I don't have a clue, but I think overall food prices are up
significantly. A secret vice of mine are those little jars of cream
cheese spread - Kraft Olive Spread is a favorite - over $2.39 each at
my cheapest supermarket. That's just ridiculous.

N.

"Nancy2" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> Jim wrote:
>> I like to make gingersnaps, and was shopping for molasses. A 12 oz jar
>> of Grandma's Molasses cost over $4 at my local chain grocers. The
>> equivalent of over $ 40 per gallon. Even gasoline doesn't cost that
>> much!
>>
>> I decided to find out the wholesale price.
>>
>> An on-line bulk distributor wants $ 55 for a 4.5 gallon drum of the same
>> brand, or about $ 12 a gallon.
>>
>> And on the commodities market, it sells for around 30 cents a gallon,
>> although you have to buy tons of it at a time and it doesn't say
>> "Grandma's."
>>
>> So how does such a simple product (jar says, "contents: molasses") get
>> marked up more than 100 fold for retail, and still 40 fold in bulk? Are
>> those glass jars that expensive?
>>
>> I am sure this applies to some other products, too, so I am looking
>> forward to the explanation.
>>
>> Jim
>
> I don't have a clue, but I think overall food prices are up
> significantly. A secret vice of mine are those little jars of cream
> cheese spread - Kraft Olive Spread is a favorite - over $2.39 each at
> my cheapest supermarket. That's just ridiculous.
>
> N.
>

What's the history of that price? When was it a lot cheaper?

Jim wrote:
> I like to make gingersnaps, and was shopping for molasses. A 12 oz jar
> of Grandma's Molasses cost over $4 at my local chain grocers. The
> equivalent of over $ 40 per gallon. Even gasoline doesn't cost that much!
>
> I decided to find out the wholesale price.
>
> An on-line bulk distributor wants $ 55 for a 4.5 gallon drum of the same
> brand, or about $ 12 a gallon.
>
> And on the commodities market, it sells for around 30 cents a gallon,
> although you have to buy tons of it at a time and it doesn't say
> "Grandma's."
>
> So how does such a simple product (jar says, "contents: molasses") get
> marked up more than 100 fold for retail, and still 40 fold in bulk? Are
> those glass jars that expensive?
> I am sure this applies to some other products, too, so I am looking
> forward to the explanation.
>
> Jim

Just bought a jar a few weeks ago and it was less than $2.25. Maybe the
$4 jar was mispriced?

I usually get it for a lot less at an interesting mom n pop Amish market
where they will even fill your container if you want a larger quantity
but I haven't worked in that area for a while.

Doug Kanter wrote:
> "Nancy2" > wrote in message

> > I don't have a clue, but I think overall food prices are up
> > significantly. A secret vice of mine are those little jars of cream
> > cheese spread - Kraft Olive Spread is a favorite - over $2.39 each at
> > my cheapest supermarket. That's just ridiculous.
> >
> > N.
> >
>
> What's the history of that price? When was it a lot cheaper?

You think I could remember that? LOL. As I recall, a year or so ago,
I was paying $1.59 or so. But I certainly could be wrong - it could
have been 5 years ago. Time flies. I just noticed how high it was and
I was shocked.

N.

Jim wrote:
> I like to make gingersnaps, and was shopping for molasses. A 12 oz jar
> of Grandma's Molasses cost over $4 at my local chain grocers. The
> equivalent of over $ 40 per gallon. Even gasoline doesn't cost that much!
>
> I decided to find out the wholesale price.
>
> An on-line bulk distributor wants $ 55 for a 4.5 gallon drum of the same
> brand, or about $ 12 a gallon.
>
> And on the commodities market, it sells for around 30 cents a gallon,
> although you have to buy tons of it at a time and it doesn't say
> "Grandma's."
>
> So how does such a simple product (jar says, "contents: molasses") get
> marked up more than 100 fold for retail, and still 40 fold in bulk? Are
> those glass jars that expensive?

Just checked, my 12 oz jar of Grandma's Dark Molasses, cost me $2.19 in
2003. I don't consider that expensive compared with other similar
products, like flavored syrups... in fact I consider molasses alcohol
free rum... any time you have a recipe that calls for rum you can
substitute vodka and molasses if you don't have rum.

And it's really not a good argument to claim that gasolene is
inexpensive compared to other products... no one needs 40 gallons of
molasses each week to commute to work. This past winter I painted the
entire interior of my house, I spent $30 a gallon for Benjamin Moore...
used about 20 gallons... but I won't need to do that again for like 10
years. And painting was a choice, I really didn't *need* to paint, the
paint I had was just fine but I wanted different colors. No one buys
gasolene except that they *need* it... and typically people need a LOT
of gallons of gasolene each year. Relative to all other items people
*need* fossil fuel is the most costly.

Every real scientist knows for a fact that fossil fuel engines could
have easily been replaced with hydrogen plants some 30 years ago... but
it would have been difficult for the grubbermint to tax... they're
still working on how to tax H20, the fiscal hurdle is a far more
difficult task than the technological one.

Sheldon

"Nancy2" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> Doug Kanter wrote:
>> "Nancy2" > wrote in message
>
>> > I don't have a clue, but I think overall food prices are up
>> > significantly. A secret vice of mine are those little jars of cream
>> > cheese spread - Kraft Olive Spread is a favorite - over $2.39 each at
>> > my cheapest supermarket. That's just ridiculous.
>> >
>> > N.
>> >
>>
>> What's the history of that price? When was it a lot cheaper?
>
> You think I could remember that? LOL. As I recall, a year or so ago,
> I was paying $1.59 or so. But I certainly could be wrong - it could
> have been 5 years ago. Time flies. I just noticed how high it was and
> I was shocked.
>
> N.
>

All sorts of dairy prices went wacko a couple or three years back. Cow
union, I think.

In article . net>,
Jim > wrote:
(snip)
> So how does such a simple product (jar says, "contents: molasses") get
> marked up more than 100 fold for retail, and still 40 fold in bulk? Are
> those glass jars that expensive?
>
> I am sure this applies to some other products, too, so I am looking
> forward to the explanation.
>
> Jim

Advertising and promotion is expensive,.
--
-Barb
<http://jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 4-20-2006 with our visit
to Kramarczuk's.
"If it's not worth doing to excess, it's not worth doing at all."

In article . com>,
"Nancy2" > wrote:

> A secret vice of mine are those little jars of cream
> cheese spread

And secret no more. :0-)


{ Exported from MasterCook Mac }

Holiday Ham and Cheese Ball/s

Recipe By: posted to r.f.cooking by Barb Schaller, 4-26-2006
Serving Size: 1
Preparation Time: 0:00
Categories: Appetizers/Nibblers


1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 oz.)
3 ounces cream cheese room temperature
1 can Underwood Deviled Ham (4-1/4 oz.)
2 tablespoons finely chopped scallions
3 tablespoons chopped green chilies (used a small can)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Combine all but walnuts, mixing well. Shape mixture into a ball or log.
Roll in chopped walnuts. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill. Remove from
refrigerator to soften slightly before serving. Serve with crackers.
‹‹‹‹‹
Notes: I used electric mixer to blend, and chilled mixture well
(important to do, I think) before shaping into two units. Rolled in
finely chopped walnuts. A hit at Thanksgiving at Becky's, 1999. May
have used more of the cheeses -- also used the whole can of chilies.
Oh, well, a recipe's just a guideline.....

--
-Barb
<http://jamlady.eboard.com> Updated 4-20-2006 with our visit
to Kramarczuk's.
"If it's not worth doing to excess, it's not worth doing at all."

On Wed 26 Apr 2006 07:37:41p, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Melba's
Jammin'?

> In article . com>,
> "Nancy2" > wrote:
>
>> A secret vice of mine are those little jars of cream cheese spread
>
> And secret no more. :0-)
>
>
> { Exported from MasterCook Mac }
>
> Holiday Ham and Cheese Ball/s
>

Sounds good, Barb.

This is another cheeseball recipe, one that uses those little jars of
cheese. My mom began making this in the 1950a...


* Exported from MasterCook *

Cheese Ball

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Appetizers Cheese/eggs

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
-----CHEESEBALL-----
1 Jar Kraft Old English Cheese
1 Jar Kraft Roka Blue Cheese
2 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 t Dried onion flakes, crushed
1/4 ts Garlic powder
1 t Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 ts Tobasco Sauce
2 tb Coarsely Chopped Pecans
2 tb Dried parsley flakes
-----MIXTURE FOR ROLLING-----
1/3 c Coarsely Chopped Pecans
1/4 c Dried parsley flakes

Allow cheeses to come to room temperature. Blend cheese and all
remaining ingredients using a fork and rubber spatula until mixture is
smooth. (Do not use electric mixer, blender, or food processor or
mixture will remain too thin for rolling.)

Turn cheese mixture into plastic wrap lined small mixing bowl. Cover
and chill several hours or overnight until firm enough to roll.

Combine remaining chopped pecans and parsley flakes in plate or pie pan.
Remove cheese mixture from mixing bowl using the plastic wrap and shape
into ball. Roll ball in pecan/parsley mixture and wrap in plastic wrap.
Refrigerate until serving time.

Note: Cheeseball will keep 2 weeks in refrigerator or 3 months in
freezer. If frozen, thaw in refrigerator before serving.


--
Wayne Boatwright @¿@¬
_____________________

Doug Kanter wrote:
> "Nancy2" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> >
> > Doug Kanter wrote:
> >> "Nancy2" > wrote in message
> >
> >> > I don't have a clue, but I think overall food prices are up
> >> > significantly. A secret vice of mine are those little jars of cream
> >> > cheese spread - Kraft Olive Spread is a favorite - over $2.39 each at
> >> > my cheapest supermarket. That's just ridiculous.
> >> >
> >> > N.
> >> >
> >>
> >> What's the history of that price? When was it a lot cheaper?
> >
> > You think I could remember that? LOL. As I recall, a year or so ago,
> > I was paying $1.59 or so. But I certainly could be wrong - it could
> > have been 5 years ago. Time flies. I just noticed how high it was and
> > I was shocked.
> >
> > N.
> >
>
> All sorts of dairy prices went wacko a couple or three years back. Cow
> union, I think.

It must be those California cows that are demanding such high salaries
for the cheese commercials.

N.

On 27 Apr 2006 07:35:36 -0700, "Nancy2" >
wrote:

>
>Doug Kanter wrote:
>> "Nancy2" > wrote in message
>> oups.com...
>> >
>> > Doug Kanter wrote:
>> >> "Nancy2" > wrote in message
>> >
>> >> > I don't have a clue, but I think overall food prices are up
>> >> > significantly. A secret vice of mine are those little jars of cream
>> >> > cheese spread - Kraft Olive Spread is a favorite - over $2.39 each at
>> >> > my cheapest supermarket. That's just ridiculous.
>> >> >
>> >> > N.
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >> What's the history of that price? When was it a lot cheaper?
>> >
>> > You think I could remember that? LOL. As I recall, a year or so ago,
>> > I was paying $1.59 or so. But I certainly could be wrong - it could
>> > have been 5 years ago. Time flies. I just noticed how high it was and
>> > I was shocked.
>> >
>> > N.
>> >
>>
>> All sorts of dairy prices went wacko a couple or three years back. Cow
>> union, I think.
>
>It must be those California cows that are demanding such high salaries
>for the cheese commercials.

I had a discussion with the supermarket manager recently; he blamed
the recent price increases on rising gas prices and the resultant
increases in shipping costs. Made sense to me.

Regards,
Tracy R.

"ravinwulf" > wrote in message
...

>>> All sorts of dairy prices went wacko a couple or three years back. Cow
>>> union, I think.
>>
>>It must be those California cows that are demanding such high salaries
>>for the cheese commercials.
>
> I had a discussion with the supermarket manager recently; he blamed
> the recent price increases on rising gas prices and the resultant
> increases in shipping costs. Made sense to me.
>
> Regards,
> Tracy R.

Before Nookular Boy invaded Iraq to make the oil supply safer and cheaper,
truck rates ranged from $1.10 to $1.60 per mile. Now, they range from $2.25
to $2.90 per mile. This helps the ekomeny....ackemen...econome...folks. Not
sure whose, but it helps someone's.

For products like skinny boxes of frozen dinners (Mean Cuisine, etc), there
are 3000-4000 cases on a truck x 12 dinners per case. The freight increase
is spread over a larger number of pieces, so it's less noticeable to the
consumer. But, for something like Tide 100 oz liquid, there are 1400 cases
per truck, 4 bottles per case. Do the math. Most grocery items are more like
the Tide than the frozen dinners.

Dan Abel wrote:

> In article .com>,
> "Sheldon" > wrote:
>
>
>>Jim wrote:
>>
>>>I like to make gingersnaps, and was shopping for molasses. A 12 oz jar
>>>of Grandma's Molasses cost over $4 at my local chain grocers. The
>>>equivalent of over $ 40 per gallon. Even gasoline doesn't cost that much!
>
>
>>Just checked, my 12 oz jar of Grandma's Dark Molasses, cost me $2.19 in
>>2003.
>
>
> I think you have it there. It just doesn't turn over fast enough.
> People buy a jar and keep it for years.
>
>
>
>>Every real scientist knows for a fact that fossil fuel engines could
>>have easily been replaced with hydrogen plants some 30 years ago
>
>
> It's a conspiracy. They're out to get you

> Do you know what a "fact" is?

Nope I don't know what a fact is. Isn't that apparent <snort>
>

Dan Abel wrote:
>
> In article .com>,
> "Sheldon" > wrote:
>
> > Every real scientist knows for a fact that fossil fuel engines could
> > have easily been replaced with hydrogen plants some 30 years ago
>
> It's a conspiracy. They're out to get you.
>
> Do you know what a "fact" is?
>
Hydrogen plants? My plants produce oxygen (and fuel, sort of)