YumSugar

Have You Ever Changed Your Order Based on Price?

YumSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:45:35 -0700

Several nights ago, I stopped by an organic restaurant to pick up some takeout for my guy. Although I didn't catch the price, I ordered the fish tacos - but when time came to sign the credit card bill, I recoiled at the amount - $20! I was slightly embarrassed, and hated to trouble the waitstaff who had to run into the kitchen to cancel the order, but the amount was far more than I was expecting to pay for tacos. Have you ever done something similar?

As Beef Prices Drop Restaurants Offer Cheaper Steaks

partysugar — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:30:41 -0700

With more consumers turning to less expensive cuts of meat, like ground beef, the price of premium cuts has dropped to a very low level. This is good news for restaurants who can sell the top notch beef at a lower cost.

To compensate for the reduced demands of meat, the industry is producing less and letting the cattle pasture longer. Since the cattle are going to market at an older age, there are more premium cuts of beef: mature cows have better marbling.

However, consumers and chefs shouldn't wait to take advantage of the cheaper beef, the low prices might be short lived:

Beef prices will likely rise more in the late spring and summer, when demand goes up starting with Mother's Day and continuing through summer because of grill-heavy holidays such as Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

While I've been more inclined to buy cheaper meat these days, it's good to know that the price of something is dropping, and perhaps, the next time I'm out, I will opt for steak. How about you? Have you changed your meat habits?

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Boston Market Latest Chain to Promote Cheaper Meals

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:15:42 -0700

Boston Market is the latest restaurant chain to succumb to sluggish spending. The Golden, CO-based corporation announced yesterday that it will offer a larger discounted menu of 11 meals for $5.

Boston Market joins a list of food chains - such as Subway, Quizno's, and Domino's - that have been promoting meals for $5. The company's chief brand officer, Judy Cantrell, said:

The $5 price point is an important part of the new vernacular in the restaurant industry. It’s become a price point that consumers respond to, and we see an opportunity to increase the quality of choices with our slow-roasted rotisserie chicken meals.

The value menu includes the chain's popular one-quarter rotisserie chicken, classic chicken salad, and rotisserie chicken pot pie, which come with a side dish and a drink. The company will promote its newly-priced menu with a TV commercial and online campaign. Will you try one of their $5 meals?

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When Buying Groceries, Do You Visit More Than One Store?

YumSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:45:48 -0700

These days, it seems as though food prices are creeping higher on everything from corn to sushi. Since I'm no stranger to a budget, I've increased the amount of time I spend shopping by heading to different stores for certain items.

For instance, I frequent Chinatown and farmers markets for produce, a large-scale grocery store for packaged foods, and a gourmet shop for seafood and specialty items. What about you?

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Given Current Events, How Often Do You Eat Out?

YumSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:00:57 -0700

Has the slowing economy and potential food crisis changed how often you eat out? Does it have to be a special occasion, or do you go whenever you feel like it?

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Has the Rising Cost of Food Changed Your Shopping Habits?

YumSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:13:33 -0700

It seems like there's a new story about the rising cost of food each and every morning. That combined with the current economy, makes me wonder what you're spending your money on at the grocery store. Have you changed your shopping habits at all? Or have you not been paying attention?

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Gold Medal Flour May Cost More Than Gold

YumSugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:28:51 -0700

As someone who loves to bake, I was pretty bummed to hear that the price of flour is going up. We've been hearing about how grocery prices are going up due to increased prices of dairy and wheat, but this is the first time I've seen solid numbers. According to CNN Money, the price of a 50-pound bag of flour went from $16 to $37, a 131 percent increase. And if that's not crazy enough, sources say that the price may reach $40 next week.

The prices have been steadily climbing due to poor growing conditions including a US Winter freeze and a European drought. With prices reaching new records, it's not just the homecook who won't be able to afford anything. Increased prices means less profit margins for restaurants and retailers. Sooner or later, those price increases are going to be passed on to those of us eating the food. So start saving your pennies, that $2 croissant might just be $3 tomorrow.

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Samuel Adams Offers to Share Its Hops

YumSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 10:17:31 -0800

Beer lovers beware, your favorite microbrews may be at risk. Last year, beer prices were on the rise due to the cost of barley, and this year a worldwide shortage of hops is making things even worse. Due to a bout of bad weather in Europe - along with decreased production in the US - the price of hops has risen 20 percent for most varieties, and up to 80 percent for specialty hops. This leaves many specialty microbreweries scrambling.

However, the folks at Samuel Adams are actually doing an interesting thing. They're selling their extra hops at below market value. The company said:

The purpose of doing this is to get some hops to the brewers who really need them. So if you don’t really need them, please don’t order them. And don’t order them just because we’re making them available at a price way below market. Order them because you need these hops to make your beer. We’re not asking questions, so let your conscience be your guide.

We hope this makes brewing a little easier for those hardest hit by the hop shortage.

I think this is a really interesting choice for Sam Adams. Instead of taking advantage of the situation, they're reaching out to help the community. I find their actions to be rather diplomatic and selfless. How about you? What do you think of the situation?

Get Ready to Start Spending More at the Grocery Store

YumSugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:48:11 -0800

Last week, Hershey's succumbed to the rising prices of dairy and wheat products by hiking up its chocolate prices. This week Kraft Foods and Kellogg will be doing the same. This means you should be seeing an increase in your Rice Krispies, Eggos, Kraft Singles, Mac 'n' Cheese, DiGiorno pizzas, and many other products from these companies.

This is bad news for our slowing economy, and is actually the largest jump in food prices since 1990. Have any of you seen signs of rising prices in your markets? Do you think the price hike will affect the way you eat?

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Hershey Co. Is Raising Its Prices

YumSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:15:31 -0800

Attention all you candy freaks! Looks like it's time to start pinching your pennies. This morning Hershey Co. said that it will raise the prices of its candy bars.

The price raise is being pinned on the rising cost of milk and cocoa, and Hershey is defending the decision by stating that its products contain more milk and cocoa than competitors. Hershey spokesperson Kirk Saville said:

"While we have no way of knowing what others are thinking, or what their cost situation is, we do know that within the category our products include far more pure milk chocolate and solid chocolate than our competitors."

For a while, Hershey was looking into changing its formula to lower milk usage. However Saville had no comment on whether or not Hershey's is still planning to go down this route.

The price increase will be effective immediately, and it will be about a 3 percent increase across a third of its US candy line. How does this make you feel? Will you still purchase Hershey's candy, or will a price increase make you think twice?

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