Food Production in Australia – State of Origin

A recent episode of Cupcake Wars celebrated state foods by showcasing various items in cupcake form. Think Californian Oranges, Georgia Peaches, Iowa Corn, Texan Beef, Maine Lobsters, Montana Huckleberries and Virginia Ham to name a few. The Americans really know how to celebrate their regional produce and cuisine.

What happened in Australia? Our food growers are struggling, walking away from the land, as it appears we prefer to buy cheap imports. Fresh bread from the supermarket? The ACCC alleges Coles imports par-baked bread from Ireland.

We used to take pride in Tasmanian apples and potatoes, bananas grown in Queensland (hello fellow banana benders), Gayndah oranges, King Island dairy products, Chinchilla watermelons… why don’t we celebrate and support our regional foods?

November 2012….share your grocery prices with me on Twitter @fabulousnwitty

Woolworths Redfern 2 November 2012

Woolworths milk 3L $3.00
Bananas $2.48 / kg
Packham pears $2.98 / kg
Kelloggs Just Right cereal 790g $5.00
Kraft light french onion dip 185g $2.39 (tip: go the full fat)
Pink lady apples $2.60 / kg
Arnotts Saos 250g $2.49
Arnotts cruskits 125g $3.00

Coles Bondi Eastgate 6 November 2012

Sunny Queen 18 pack eggs $6.80
Blueberries 125g $3.20

Coles Broadway 8 November 2012

Nescafe Blend 43 500g coffee $17.00

Coles Surry Hills 13 November 2012

Uncle Toby’s Cheerios 655g $3.32
Weetbix 1.3kg $5.00
Up & Go 3 pack $2.95
Wrigleys Extra Sweetmint chewing gum 2 pack $3.20
Kelloggs Coco Pops 650g $5.00
Kelloggs Crunchy Nut cereal 650g $5.00
Coles milk 3L $3.00
Bega 24 pack 650g cheese $7.20
Lurpak butter 250g $3.90
IXL Strawberry jam 600g $3.00
Milo 1.25kg $10.95
Arnotts cruskits 125g $3.19
Arnotts milk arrowroot biscuits 250g $1.99

Woolworths Redfern 29 November 2012

Woolworths milk 3L $3.00
Nescafe blend 43 coffee 500g $17.00
Arnotts Marie biscuits 250g $1.59

September 2012

Feel free to comment, tell me what you pay for your groceries.

 

Coles Online 3 September 2012

Activia 4 pack fig yogurt 125g $3.00

Artisse Aribar rice bars vanilla 6 pack 110g $6.46

Bazaar Gourmet Pizza base 2 pack 440g $5.19 (these are magic)

Half head Cabbage $2.99

Quarter head red cabbage $1.49

Coles Plain flour 1kg 95 cents

Coles milk 3L $3.00

Comfort fabric softner 800ml $7.99

Golden Circle pineapple thins 450g $2.48

IXL jam 50% less sugar 210g $1.24

John West salmon skinless boneless 95g in olive oil $2.00 (OMG yum)

Leggos pizza suace sachets 4 pack $2.12

Up & Go 6 pack $8.52

Saxa Iodised table salt 750g $3.09

Sunny Queen 18 pack eggs 900g $8.00 (the shells have smiley faces on them)

zucchini $5.98 /kg

 

Coles Surry Hills 5 September 2012

Uncle Toby’s muesli bars  pack 185g $3.99

Quilton 3 ply 20 pack toilet paper $10.00

Garlos 220g curry beef pie $3.25

Garlos cornish pastie 200g $3.50

La Zuppa Moroccan Pumpkin soup 420g $3.79

Wrigleys Extra Sweet mint 2pack chewing gum $3.20

Arnotts Vita weats 220g $3.95

Coles beetroot clices 450g $1.32

bananas $3.98 / kg

Iceberg lettuce $3.98

Arnotts saos 250g $2.49

 

Woolworths Redfern 17 September 2012

Woolworths milk 3L $3.00

Kleenex aloe vera tissues 170s $4.29

Dick Smith bush foods cereal 500g $4.99

Kelloggs Crunchy Nut cereal 650g $6.99

Bananas $2.98/kg

Sundowner Apples $3.98 / kg

Activa yogurt 4 x 125g $2.99

 

Coles Surry Hills 18 September 2012

Dick Smith Peanut butter $4.29

Barilla risoni 500g $2.30

Bananas $2.98 / kg

Uncle Tobys chewy muesli bars 185g 6 pack $3.99

 

Woolworths Redfern 28 September 2012

Sorbent Hypo-allergenic toilet paper 18 pack $10.00

Up & Go 6 x 250ml $7.85

Woolworths milk 3L $3.00

Fantastic chow mein noodles 350g $3.39

Eggplant $8.98 / kg

July 2012, part 2

Some dear readers persist with me, despite my slack updating, ❤ to y’all.  Thanks to one suggestion, I now have the WordPress app on my iPhone ( I joined the  iphone cult recently), so I can add pictures/videos to enhance your experience :-P.

FYI, Bornhoffen acidophilus 1kg natural yogurt had increased in price by $1.02 in 5 months.

 

Woolworths Redfern 17 July 2012

Woolworths brand 3 L milk $3.00

Fiji natural spring water 500ml $1.89

Kewpie mayonnaise 300g $4.35

Sunbeam sultanas 6 pack $2.98

Homebrand instant noodles, beef 5 pack $1.09 (my children can’t eat the Maggi version as they are so used to this brand.  I dislike instant noodles, but they’re a godsend when I’m not in the mood to cook)

Continental cup-o-soup hearty beef 55g $2.09

Homebrand almond kernals 150g $2.99

Fantastic fresh singapore stirfry noodles 350g $2.50

Bananas $2.98 / kg

Healtheries Kidscare Rice wheel 10 pack $5.29

Tassal Tasmanian smoked salmon 220g $7.49

Uncle Toby’s chewy muesli bars variety pack 563g $7.99

Ski activ yogurt 4 x 125g $2.99

Vita Weat lunch slices 220g $2.99

Tip Top cafe extra thick raisin toast 650g $3.99

La Zuppa Moroccan pumpkin soup 420g $2.99

Bornhoffen acidophilus natural yogurt 1kg $4.98

Real Foods Corn Thins 150g $1.72

Safcol Atlantic salmon 95g $1.75

Hikari white Miso paste 400g $3.39

Barilla Pasta penne rigate 500g $2.45

White Wings Red Velvet cake mix 425g $4.25 (Parenting tip: this is pumped with red food colouring, my son thought he was hemorrhaging, not pleasant for all involved)

White Wings sweetheart cupcake mix 400g $4.25

 

Coles Bondi Eastgate 19 July 2012

Wrigleys Extra Sweetmint 2 pack $3.20

Uncle Toby’s Quick Oats Brown Cinnamon 420g $3.95

Garlos Family curry beef pie 500g $8.00

 

Woolworths Redfern 21 July 2012

Woolworth milk 3 L  $3.00

Arnotts Shapes pizza 190g $2.60

Arnotts Shapes bbq 175g $2.60 (the 15 gram difference is just wrong isn’t it)

Cadbury Choc Fingers 125g $2.99

Kelloggs Special K Honey Almond 440g $5.49

Golden pancakes 360g $4.39

Truss tomatoes pre pack 500g $4.98

Packham pears $2.97 / kg

Red delicious Apples $2.98 / kg

Iceberg lettuce $1.92

Cadbury dairy milk chocolate 350g $4.00

Pringles Original chips 181g $2.99

Mighty Soft Cafe fruit loaf 650g $3.99

Unibic Gingerbread people 35g $1.98

Wrigleys Extra Sweetmint chewing gum 2 pack 54g $3.20

 

July 2012 – recycling tax?? All for it if it stops Mr Coopers and his New mate.

Oh dear, another suggestion on squeezing more $$ from punters. A suggestion to increase by 10 cents, the cost of drinks which come in plastic or glass bottles (thank goodness my shake’n’make pancake mix will be exempt ;-p ), which will be refunded when the bottle is returned for recycling.

I have visions of recycling bins being raided for booty. We have regular lane way treasure hunters, scouring bins for thrown out loot. My favourite is the old guy in the Porsche, up to his elbows in the bins. All leave a mess on the path and gutter. It may stop a fellow I have christened “Mr Coopers’ from leaving his empty Coopers long necks in various spots in my end the laneway.

This 30-something guy (looks like a ginger Frank Rossitano from 30 Rock) walks up the lane daily, and is at the end of his long neck as he approaches. So he leaves the empty, wherever. He used to leave it in my garden bed until I shouted at him (who am I? really?!). I was on my 3rd floor balcony (my townhouse is 3 levels) and couldn’t get down quick enough to throttle him. Now he leaves the bottles around the front, closer to the building next door, or sometimes in the disabled parking spot.

I’ve come up with a little narrative to explain his behaviour. He lives with his mother, Norma Bates-Cooper, who lets him out for a daily constitutional. In that time, he scurries to the local bottle-o and buys one Coopers longneck. Mummy has him on a timer, so he needs to drink it then chew frantically on mylanta chewable tablets, so he won’t smell like a brewery and get whacked with a wire coat hanger.

I haven’t spotted whoever it is that’s taken to leaving an empty can of Tooheys New under the streetlight opposite my gate. The building further down has bins outside, why can’t they dump them there? That’s right, Mama Bates-Cooper and her wire coat hanger 😀

I can’t imagine any carbon tax impact will be seen in groceries for at least 3 months, if at all. I’m sure the scrutinising will have the effect that a softly, softly approach will be taken to any hikes. I’m predicted packaging will shrink, such as biscuits from 250g to 220g. Cynicism, it’s marvellous.

Have only had a quick shop at Redfern, and Mr Fabulous did his Willy Wonka shop. I really wanted to have my Mr Coopers rant! Cheers!

Woolworths Redfern 9 July 2012

WW milk 3L $3.00
La Zuppa 420g $3.79 (my husband loves these, I prefer the soup I make myself)
Arnotts Marie biscuits 250g $1.99
Phoenix manadrins $2.92/kg
Truss tomatoes $6.98/kg
Baby spinach 60g $2.00
Wondersoft toilet paper 24 pack $10.99
Twinings English breakfast 100 tea bags *special* $5.99
Kleenex tissues 250 pack $2.65
McKenzie Split geen peas 500g $1.51 *special* 2 for $2.50

Woolworths Redfern 14 July 2012

Bananas $2.98 / kg
WW milk 3L $3.00
Arnotts Raspberry shortcake biscuits 250g $2.58
Arnotts Iced Vovo biscuits 210g $2.93
Arnotts milk arrowroot biscuits 250g $1.99
Extra Sweetmint 28 piece chewing gum $3.20
Extra active berry chewing gum 54g $3.99

March 2012

Having a ball updating the blog. Wife Swap UK on in the background (saucer eyes), coffee to my write. Sweet. I don’t enjoy grocery shopping, so I try to do a huge shop once a month. We pick up bits and pieces (I call my husband’s shop the Willy Wonka shop – pick his receipts v mine). Some of these receipts are almost a metre long.

Coles – Pagewood (Eastgardens) – 2 March 2012

Pine-o-cleen 40 pack wipes ($4.85) 3 for $10.00
Tip Top muffins 6 pack $3.99
Kantong Interactions 160g ($2.79) 2 for $5.00
Hot cross buns ($4.00) 2 for $7.00
Coles light milk 3L $3.00
Morning fresh dishwasher rinse 450 ml $5.99 (Australian made)
Kiwi Protect all shoe spray 125g $8.99
Alfa one rice bran oil 1 L $7.59
Chang sesame oil 150ml $2.59
Mr Sheen trigger polish 375ml $4.95
Handee ultra triple pack paper towels $4.40
Bega natural cheese 24 slices 625g $9.29
Nabisco Premium crispbread 205g $1.24
Arnotts Sao crackers 250g $4.98
McCains Pizza Pockets 400g $5.00
Mission Taco Shells 190g $1.99
Barilla spaghetti 500g $1.50
Barilla risoni 500g $1.50
Coles skipton crackers 250g $1.89
Kraft Premium crispbread 250g $1.24
Arnotts marie biscuits 250g $1.89
Barilla penne 500g $1.50
Uncle Toby’s chewy muesli bars 375g $5.00
Barilla pesto 190g $4.15
Natural Grain eggs dozen 700g $4.10
Dick smith peanut butter smooth 375g $3.12
Barilla farfale pasta 500g $1.50
William Bartlett pears $1.48 / kg
Lebanese cucumber $2.28 / kg

Woolworths – Redfern – 7 March 2012

WW milk 3L $3.00
Bananas $1.98 / kg
Carrots $1.45 / kg
Arnotts Scotch finger biscuits 250g $1.26

Coles – Surry Hills – 14 March 2012

Coles light milk 3L $3.00
Bananas $2.98 / kg
Iceberg lettuce $2.48
Ministry of Muffins 228g $2.80
Liton Ice tea 500ml $2.49

Coles – Pagewood (Eastgardens) – 17 March 2012

John West lemon pepper salmon 95g $2.29
Kinder Surprise gift 150g $12.00
Coles toilet paper 18 pack $8.00
Coles light milk 3 L $3.00
McCain superfries 2.2kg $5.82
Lurpak butter 250g $4.89
P-Italian grated mozzarella light 500g $5.00
P-Italian grated parmesan 250g $8.00
Sanitarium Up & Go 6x250ml $7.85
Primo Salami Danish 100g $3.29
Activia low fat yoghurt 4x125g $3.99
Pace Farms 15 pack eggs 975g $6.00
Coles garlic ciabatta 390g $4.20
Tassal smoked salmon 200g $8.49
Garlos junior sausage rolls 780g $7.00
Garlos family lean beef pie 550g $8.25
Casabake pizza square 300g $3.30
Clean & Clear Advantage $19.95
Kleenex 250 tissues $2.98
Bonningtons Irish Moss 200ml $5.99
Extra sweetmint 28 piece chewing gum $3.20
L’oreal Ever Pure Shampoo 250ml $13.99
L’oreal Ever Pure Conditioner 250ml $13.99
Coles skipton crackers 250g $1.89
Arnotts Saos 250g $2.49
Arnotts Saladas 250g $3.00
Kelloggs K Time twists 333g $5.49
Barilla Risoni 55g $2.30
Kelloggs Sustain 480g $4.48
Sanitarium Weet Bix 1.3kg $5.00
Uncle Toby’s Quick Oats 420g $3.96
Ardmona chopped tomatoes 810g $2.79
Golden Circle Beetroot 440g $2.19
SPC baked beans 850g $2.39
Krummie Bread crumbs 250g $1.74
Leggos squeezy tomato paste 410g $2.99
IXL strawberry conserve 600g $3.99
IXL breakfast marmalade 600g $3.99
Ducks pine nuts 200g $8.99
Ollo extra virgin olive oil 500ml $6.99
Coles muffins 6 pack 400g $1.99
field grown tomatoes $4.98 / kg
Eggplant $5.98 / kg
zucchini $5.98 / kg
half bunch celery $2.99
Pane toscano pizza 150g $3.00

Woolworths – Redfern – 24 March 2012

WW milk 3L $3.00
Kelloggs Nutrigrain 805g $7.99
Bananas $1.38 / kg

Coles – Bondi (Eastgate) – 28 March 2012

Garlos junior sausage rolls 780g $8.75
Garlos lean beef family pie 550g $8.25
Coles frozen peas 500g $2.46
McCains Frozen vegetables 600g $3.18
Birds Eye Country Harvest 1kg $4.50
Lurpak butter 250g $4.89
Coles brand butter 250g $1.80
Coles light milk 3L $3.00
Nimbin sliced cheese 250g $5.49
Bega tasty sliced cheese 750g $11.49
Coles juice 2L $2.90
Golden Circle juice 2L $2.50
Maggi Noodle cup 58g $1.79
Kleenex cottonelle toilet paper 18 pack $9.00
Quilton 160 tissues $2.00
Kelloggs K Time Twists 333g $5.49
Uncle Toby’s chewy muesli bars 375g $6.18
Nutella 750g $7.59
San Remo Spagetti 500g $2.25
San Remo thin Spagetti 500g $2.25
La Zuppa soup 420g $3.79
San Remo Rigatoni 500g $2.25
Baby carrots 500g $1.38
Bisto Gravy 125g $2.50
SPC baked beans 4 pack 220g $3.67
Oranges $2.60 / kg
Pink lady apples $5.98 / kg
South cape crispbread 100g $3.69
brushed potatoes 3kg $4.98
Bananas $1.38 / kg
Finish all-in-one dishwasher tabs 56 pack $26.99
Fluffy ultra fabric softner 1L $6.99

Coles – Surry Hills – 29 March 2012

Coles Mighty Grain 560g $3.79
Bushells tea bags 100 pack $4.84
Extra sweetmint 28 pieces chewing gum $3.20
Smart buy juice 3L $3.09
Kiwi Protect All Shoe spray125g $8.56
IXL jam 600g $2.50

February 2012

February was a leap year. How many months have 29 days?………………………………………………………………………..
All of them!!

I buy Edgell’s sweet corn as opposed to regular corn because the sweetcorn is grown in Australia, the regular corn in’t. Check the label 😉

Big W – Pagewood 3 February 2012
Rexona Deodarant 2 pack $8.98
Silken toilet rolls 32 pack $12.76
Fluffy floral fabric softner 2L $10.00
Omo 7kg Frontloader $37.87
Mount H2O 24x350ml regular $7.78 *special* $7.48
Nivea black white roll on $3.48
Cadbury dairy milk chocolate 500g $5.98
Extra sweetmint chewing gum 28 pack $2.98

Woolworths – Eastgardens – 3 February 2012

Woolworths milk 3L $3.00
Cracker barrel cheese vintage sliced 250g $5.60
Lurpak butter 250g $4.69
Coon cheese slices tasty 250g $10.45
Danone active yogurt 4x125g $3.99
Woolworths select broccoli florets frozen 500g $2.00
De Costi Salmon portions skinned boned 300g $10.99
Salmon with Japanese BBQ sauce 300g $7.69
McCain Mixed Vegetable peas, corn and carrot 2kg $7.98
Sanitarium So Good 1 L $1.95
Lipton ice tea 330ml $2.00
Thomy mayonnaise 235g $2.75
Woolworths tomato sauce 500ml $2.19
Woolworths BBQ sauce 500ml $2.19
Devondale semi skim UHT milk 2 L $2.86
Sanitarium Up & Go 6x250ml $7.85
Uncle Toby’s Oats 12 pack 420g $4.95
Goodness Oats 10 pack 350g $6.99
Goodness Quick Oats and Barley 500g $3.99
Eggplant $3.98 / kg
Brown Onions 2kg for $4.98
Grape tomatoes 200g $2.98
Pantene Aqualight Shampoo 350ml $5.59
Pantene Aqualight Conditioner 350ml $5.59
Red onions $3.98 / kg
Zucchini $3.98 / kg
Pink Lady Apples $4.47 / kg
Arnotts Marie biscuits 250g $1.69
Pace Farm eggs 65g 15 pack $5.90
Tip Top The One bread 700g $3.79

Woolowrths – Redfern – 8 February 2012

Woolworths milk 3L $3.00
McVities digestive biscuits 400g $3.99
Arnotts Marie biscuits 250g $1.89
Homebrand Milk Arrowroot biscuits 250g $1.09
Bananas $2.98 / kg
Lurpak butter 250g $4.69
William Bartlett pears $1.74 / kg
Ski activ yoghurt 4x125g $2.99

Coles – World Square – 9 February 2012

Pump water 750ml $2.50
Extra sweetmint 28 piece chewing gum $3.03

IGA – Mascot – 12 February 2012

IGA Milk Light 2 L $3.98

IGA – Alexandria – 12 February 2012

Birdseye baby beans 500g $3.14
Birdseye Corn Kernels 500g $2.82
Navel oranges $2.69 / kg

IGA – Mascot – 12 February 2012

Cadbury chocolate 200g $3.89

IGA – Waterloo – 13 February 2012

Samboy chips 175g $1.99
IGA White Hi-Fibre bread 700g $3.67
IGA Raisin toast 600g $3.74

Coles – World Square – 14 February 2012 ❤

Bananas $3.48 / kg
Supreme wonton wraps 250g $3.00
Fantastic Hokkien Noodles 800g $3.50
Pump Pure water 750ml $2.50

Woolworths – Redfern – 16 February 2012

Woolworths milk 3L $3.00
Sanitarium So Good Soy Milk 1L $1.95
Arnotts Sao crackers 250g $2.49
Extra Sweetmint 28 piece chewing gum $3.20
Woolworths fruitless hot cross buns 8 pack $4.64
Billy Tea bags cup 100pack $3.99
Arnotts Iced Vovos 210g $2.84
Sanitarium Up & Go 6x250ml $4.49 *special*
Mighty Soft Cafe Fruit Loaf 650g $2.29
Ashgrove Taste of Tasmania cheese 250g $7.99
Cadbury block mint bubbly chocolate 175g $3.00
Maggi cup noodles 58g 89 cents
Twinings tea bags 20g 99 cents
Langers Cranberry 1.89L $3.49
Berri Juice 2.4L $4.25
IXL strawberry conserve 600g ($3.99) 2 for $5.00

Coles – Waterloo – 17 February 2012

Oak flavoured milk 600ml ($2.65) 2 for $4.50
Coles giant olives 150g $3.00
Finish dishwasher cleaner 250ml $6.79
Arnotts Marie Biscuits 250g $1.89
Arnotts Milk Arrowroot 250g $1.89
Perino Tomatoes 200g $3.48
Coles milk 3L $3.00
Devondale UHT milk 2L $2.00
Garlos junior sausage rolls 780g $6.80
KRC Bacon shortcut $13.99 / kg
McCains Sliced green beans 500g $2.03
Garlos Family pie lean beef 550g $8.25
Garlos Family pie curry beef 550g $8.00
Bega natural 24 sliced cheese 625g $9.29
Nimbin sliced cheese 250g $5.49
Lurpak butter 250g $4.89
Coles brand butter 500g $3.00
Tassal Smoked salmon 200g $8.49
Edgell sweet corn kernels 420g $1.95
Yeos light soy sauce 640ml $3.98
Fountain Hoisan sauce 250ml $2.39
Always fresh champignons 425g $2.30
Duck toilet liquid 650ml $2.99
Sard pre-wash liquid 100g $4.49
Coles greek marinade 250g $1.75
Fairy dishwasher tabs 42 pack $20.99
Russo lentils 400g $1.00
Airwick aquamist air freshner 300ml $4.99
Uncle Toby's Quick Oats 420g $4.95
La Zuppa Soup 420g $3.79
Bananas $2.98 / kg
Arnotts Aussie Shapes 180g $2.60
Hercules 150 pack sandwich bags $7.11
Kleenex 250 pack tissues $2.98
Oranges $2.78 / kg

Woolworths – Redfern – 27 February 2012

Extra sweetmint chewing gum 28 pieces $3.20
WW milk 3L $3.00
bananas $2.98 / kg
William Barlett Pears $1.67 / kg
McVities Digestive biscuits milk choc 300g $2.99
Vitastic Pocket Pita bread white 250g $1.00 *special*
Berri juice 2.4L $4.25

Coles – World Square – 29 February 2012

Extra sweetmint 28 piece chewing gum $1.99 *special*
sliced mushrooms 375g $4.98

Buona Pasqua – Happy Easter … Eastgardens & Redfern April 2011

It’s a five-day stretch of public holidays due to Easter & ANZAC day falling together. In the olden days 😉 shops shut all day for the entire Easter period, and on ANZAC day. Nowadays, Easter Saturday is just another Saturday, Good Friday is revered and the other days have limited trading hours.

On Wednesday, I noted the milk supply was dire, so off to the supermarket I went. Woolies at Redfern, where we ran into Charlie’s Dad (parents don’t have names) who also expressed that he and Charlie’s Mum have not ventured anywhere else since this supermarket opened. It is truly fabulous. Staff is wonderful as well. I really must congratulate Woolies on their mix of locals working in the store – such lovely people. They recognise us. I like that.

I noticed a lot of “markdown” stickers and it dawned on me, they had to get rid of items asap because of Easter. I have been told by a Woolworths employee (the store this person works at is in Sydney’s Inner West), that the amount of food thrown out – fresh produce for example, is mind-boggling. When I asked why doesn’t the store donate to charity, I was told items like bread is, but when it comes to other items, basically it’s all too hard. So this store has a particularly robust following of “dumpster divers”. I can believe it, as the items I saw/bought in Redfern Woolies had plenty of time in their best before/use by dates. And I have a freezer!! Half price roasts (Sunday dinner), prepared salads (lunch yesterday and today), sausages and mushrooms (last night’s dinner), bean sprouts (tomorrow night’s Vietnamese soup)… Bless my half Scot heart, went in for milk, came out with a trolley load of bargains.

Did you know the UK government is scrapping best before dates because they contribute to food waste? Please check out this link to Safe Guidelines on freezing meat – today’s bargain roast can be next month’s dinner.

BANANA INDEX
Coles Eastgardens $12.98/kg 16 April 2011
Woolworths Redfern $12.98/kg 20 April 2011

Don’t forget to vote – I’m polling the Banana price care factor

“That’s Bananas!” Pyrmont, Redfern and Bondi Junction…bonus banana index

I’m not letting the receipts build up! That’s just bananas! Only two to list, thanks to my hoarding of food. I’m trying to make things like muesli bars from scratch so my children are getting a healthier option to mass-produced items. The novelty, for them, wore off after a week. I however still have plenty of sesame seeds, pepitas and rolled oats to use….

I want you to google the Australian Financial Review’s cover story in this weekend’s edition (April 2-3, 2011) – “Battle of the Brands” by Neil Shoebridge. I can’t link it, as you have to be a subscriber (14 day free trial available). The 3 page report discusses whether the benefit of supermarket price wars will result in consumers losing choice of brands. There is also a secondary consideration canvassed by Sue Mitchell, that is the battle Coles is waging against multinational grocery companies – Coles argues the multinationals have been “gouging” the Australian market: “Australian consumers pay at least 10%, and as much as 100%, more than their UK counterparts for packaged groceries, from bread and milk to pantry staples such as baked beans and instant coffee, household cleaners and little luxuries such as chocolate”. Brilliant reading.

Banana Index
There’s been a slow creep in banana prices thanks to TC Yasi, more of an increase, anecdotally, in the recent weeks. TC Yasi, you may recall effectively wiped out a great deal of North Queensland. The region which produces 75% of the bananas sold in Australia.

Divine Fruit Market Eastgate Bondi Junction 30/03/11 $11.95/kg
Coles Pyrmont 02/04/11 $12.98/kg
Kozma’s Convenience Store George St Redfern 05/04/11 $11.90/kg

Divine Fruit Market Eastgate Bondi Junction 30/03/11
Pears $1.50/kg
Blueberries 125g $3.95
Apples delicious $1.99/kg
Tray 6 figs $3.99
Bananas $11.98

Coles Pyrmont 02/04/11

Bananas $12.98/kg
Up & Go 6 pack $7.66
Sanitarium Weetbix 1.3 kg $5.00
Superior Gold Smoked Salmon 100g **special** $4.00

The Scarlett Pimpernel Returns – featuring the Banana Index:February March 2011

I have a confession – since Woolworths opened at Redfern, I have been pretty much shopping exclusively there. The staff know me. I know them. Not good for a grocery price blog, so feel free to leave a comment.

I’m updating quickly. I have 19 supermarket receipts to document…when did I get so busy? So pleased I decided to change the way I record items. The banana price has jumped – well after the flooding and cyclone impact has left our consciousness, to be replaced by the earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan, and Japan’s subsequent tsunami, as well as the unrest in Libya.

Banana Index for February/March 2011

Price increase per kilo $9.00 over the time period. BUT still all Australian grown. Interestingly, as sign above the bananas in Woolies at Redfern cite cyclone Yasi’s effect on N Qld for the limited supplies & therefore a price increase. The Banana Council had different views in January 2011. However they concede banana prices are effected by supply & demand, and I guess in January, no one had a clear idea of how bananas would truly be affected.

Woolworths Redfern 3 Feb 2011
Bananas $2.98/kg

Coles Surry Hills 2 Feb 2011
Bananas $2.98/kg

IGA Waterloo 7 Feb 2011
Bananas $6.99/kg

Woolworths Redfern 17 Feb 2011
Bananas $6.98/kg

Coles Surry Hills 25 Feb 2011
Bananas $5.98/kg

Woolworths Redfern 1 March 2011
Bananas $6.98/kg

Coles Waterloo 8 March 2011
Bananas $6.98/kg

Harris Farm Markets Edgecliff 10 March 2011
Bananas $9.99/kg

Woolworths Redfern 16 March 2011
Bananas $9.98/kg

Woolworths Redfern 22 March 2011
Bananas $11.98/kg

IGA Waterloo 7 Feb 2011
Pace Farm eggs 15 pack 65g $4.99
Roma tomatoes $7.99/kg
Carrots $1.99/kg
Bananas $6.99/kg

Woolworths Town Hall 7 Feb 2011
Watermelon $1.25/kg

Woolworths Redfern 3 Feb 2011
Bananas $2.98/kg

Coles Surry Hills 2 Feb 2011
Blueberries 125g $3.90
Bananas $2.98/kg
Red plums $3.80/kg
Pink lady apples $7.98/kg

Woolworths Redfern 11 Feb 2011
Iceberg lettuce $3.98
Borhoffen acidof 1kg yogurt **special**$4.69
William pears $1.89/kg
Red plums $4.98/kg
Blueberries 125g $3.98
Clementine mandarins $6.98/kg
Truss tomatoes $5.98/kg
Carrots $1.88/kg
Royal gala apples $5.97/kg

Woolworths Redfern 17 Feb 2011
Paradise pears $8.97/kg
Clementine mandarins $5.98/kg
William pears$3.62/kg
Bananas $6.98/kg
Watermelon $1.42/kg

Woolworths Redfern 21 Feb 2011
Watermelon $1.42/kg

Woolworths Redfern 2 March 2011
Clementine mandarins $5.98/kg

Coles Surry Hills 25 Feb 2011
Blueberries 125g $2.99
Bananas $5.98/kg

Woolworths Redfern 1 March 2011
Bananas $6.98/kg

Coles Waterloo 8 March 2011
Bornhoffen natural acidof yog 1kg $5.39
Sunrice 750g Doongar rice $3.26
Bananas $6.98/kg
Red onions $2.28/kg
Truss tomatoes $4.90/kg
Iceberg lettuce $2.98 ea
Green cucumber $.48 ea
William pears $1.50/kg
Carrots $1.18/kg

Harris Farm Markets Edgecliff 10 March 2011
Bananas $9.99/kg

Coles Surry Hills 10 march 2011
Mandarins $5.98/kg

Woolworths Redfern 15 March 2011
Royal gala apples $4.97/kg

Woolworths Redfern 16 March 2011
Bananas $9.98/kg
William pears $1.70/kg
Shepard avocado $1.98 ea

Woolworths Redfern 22 March 2011
Bananas $11.98/kg
Truss tomatoes $4.98/kg
Natures best free range eggs660g $5.22

Coles Surry Hills 19 March 2011
Jonathon apples $6.98/kg
Murcott mandarins $4.98/kg
William pears $1.48/kg