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The Market Basket is a monthly report based on a survey of 41 food items commonly purchased by consumers. Four major supermarkets are surveyed in the Plattsburgh area. It is a community service jointly sponsored by TAC and the Office of Insititutional Advancement at SUNY Plattsburgh. The data is compiled monthly by the Office of Insititutional Research at SUNY Plattsburgh.
2009
October Market Basket Prices Up 4% for Month, Down 1% for Year
Prices are beginning to rise once again for groceries on the Plattsburgh area. The forty-one items came in at $96.79 in October, an increase of 4% from September's cost of $92.46, but down 1% from last October's cost fo $98.12.
For the month of October, prices increased in every category except breads, grains and cereals. Prices were up slightly for the year on frozen foods, canned goods, drinks and miscellaneous items and down slightly on produce, meats, and breads, grains and cereals. Prices were 13% lower on dairy products.
Produce prices were down considerably for the year on red Delicious apples, Dole bananas, carrots and lettuce.
Frozen food prices had a big increase due to haddock, up to $7.99 a pound from $6.49 in September. Orange juice and spinach prices remained unchanged.
Drink prices continue a trend upward, especially on store brand tea bags. Coffee prices remained constant for the month, but are up from last October.
Canned good prices increased on Del Monte fruit cocktail and store brand diced tomatoes. Star Kist tuna prices fell once again.
For the month, all items in the dairy department increased in price. Prices are down on all products from this time last year with the exception of a 6% increase on skim milk.
Prices on meats were up overall and continue to fluctuate on particular cuts, with chuck steak and center cut pork chops being the bargains in October.
In the breads, cereals and grains category, prices fell on most products. White bread is down 25% from last year, but remained the same as in September.
Seasonal Reminder: Fresh cranberries are now available for the holiday season. All varieties of apples, pears, grapes, oranges and grapefruit are now in stock. Sweet potatoes and winter squash are in peak supply.
September Market Basket Prices Continue Decline; Down 4% For Year
Market Basket prices were down 1% for the month from $93.79 to $92.46 and down 4% from September 2008's total of $96.14. This continues a downward trend since June.
For the month, prices fell in almost all categories with dairy prices continuing at well below last year's levels. Canned goods and miscellaneous items rose slightly in price for the month and year.
Produce prices continued to be lower for the year. Given the difficult growing season in 2009 it will be interesting to see the trends as we head into winter on fresh, frozen and canned produce prices.
In the dairy category all prices were down and the total for the category was down 17% from that of September 2008. The lower prices received by dairy farmers is, of course, of local interest.
A can of store brand diced tomatoes was the only item in the category to decrease for the year. Del Monte fruit cocktail, Green Giant peas, Starkist tuna and store brand vegetable soup in beef broth were all more expensive. Prices for the month were virtually unchanged. Demand for canned goods tends to be greater in the colder months.
In the meat cases, whole frying chickens continue to be more costly than last year, but sirloin steak and bottom round roast remained thrifty choices.
Drink prices were stable with the exception of tea bags, which declined for the month and year.
In the miscellaneous category both Oreo cookies and vegetable oil prices had little change for the year.
Seasonal Reminders: This is pear season, and the start of the cranberry season. Sweet potatoes and winter squash are in peak supply and a good source of beta carotene (Vitamin A). The rainy summer benefited the local apple harvest as quality of fruit is excellent this fall.
August Market Basket Prices Down 3% For Year
Market Basket prices were virtually unchanged in August at $93.79 compared with July's cost of $94.00, but are down 3% from last August's cost of $97.02.
For the month, prices fell on produce and canned vegetables. Prices were stable in August on breads, cereals and grains, meats, dairy, drinks, frozen foods and miscellaneous items. For the year, prices are down in all categories, except drinks and canned goods.
Produce prices for the year dropped on every product surveyed. White potatoes, which had been much more expensive all year, are now selling for $1.00 less for ten punds than this time last year. If you have a cool, dry place to store potatoes you might consider stocking up while the price is lower.
Dairy prices were down on whole and skim milk, but higher for the month on large eggs. For the year prices are still down, reflecting the lower prices received by dairy farmers for their product; whole milk prices are 25% lower than August 2008.
There was a drop in the breads, cereals and grains category because of the decrease in the price for River rice for the month and year; rice prices seem to be recovering from the sharp increased due to high fuel costs and crop shortages in 2008.
In canned goods, store brand diced tomatoes were down 18% for the year, following the trend of lower produce prices. Prices remain up on Star Kist tuna for the year.
Prices continue their decline on store brand oil for the year and Oreo cookie prices remain stable in the meiscellaneous category.
All drink prices were up as compared to this time last year: Budweiser beer, store brand coffee, tea and cola.
Seasonal Reminders: The local harvest of all apple varieties is well underway. There will be local corn, tomatoes, snap beans and cucumbers until the first frost. September is the top month for grapes and the first good month of the pear season.
July Market Basket Total Lowest Since June, 2008
Market Basket prices dipped in July with the cost down to $94.00, from $95.70 in June and $97.08 last July. Although the temperatures may be high, taking advantage of the significantly lower prices in the produce and frozen food sections can cool off your grocery bill.
For the year, the total is down 3%, led by lower prices in the produce, frozen foods and dairy categories.
In July, produce prices were down on red Delicious apples, Chiquita bananas, carrots, Iceberg lettuce and round white potatoes.
Meat prices were up slightly for the month but lower overall for the year. Ground chuck posted the biggest drop, good news for those hosting summer barbeques.
In the breads, grains and cereals category, bread and flour prices continue to decline for both the month and year. Prices are up, however, on River rice, sugar and Kellogg's corn flakes.
Frozen food prices also declined once again led by the drop in the price of frozen haddock, although this item was only available in two stores this month.
Dairy prices are down 10% for both the month and year with prices on margarine, eggs, butter, American sliced cheese, ehole and skim milk down from 2008.
The total for the drinks category was stable, with an increase on coffee counterbalanced by a decrease on a six-pack of store brand cola, a reflection of seasonal demand.
Although canned goods were stable for the month, they are up 12% from July, 2008, with the biggest jump a 23% increase in the cost of Star Kist tuna.
Seasonal Reminders: Local strawberries, blueberries and corn are all available at roadside stands and in the supermarkets. Cantaloupe and honeydew melon season continues through August. Picking of Paula Red and Jersey Macs has begun, and McIntosh picking will start around Labor Day.
June Market Basket Totals Stable for Month and Year
Market Basket prices rose only pennies in June to $95.70, up from $95.16 in May, and only up 2% from $93.71 last June.
The total for the 41 items included in the Market Basket came from slight increases on produce, canned goods, and meats and slight decreases in frozen foods and miscellaneous. For the year produce, frozen foods, and canned goods increased and dairy and meat prices decreased.
Ten pounds of round white potatoes increased sharply to $6.49 this month after falling to $5.66 last month, which was barely changed from last year's price of $5.62. This drove an overall increase in the produce category despite lower prices on red Delicious apples, Dole bananas, carrots and Iceberg lettuce.
Although many fresh produce items have fallen in price due to summer availability, Green Giant canned peas continue to rise in price, up 49% from last year. Star Kist canned tuna is up 31% from last year's price.
With grilling season in full swing, the prices on most cuts of meat were up. The biggest bargain was on chuck steak which was 9% lower than in May. Prices were up on ground chuck, bottom round roast, sirloin steak and whole frying chickens.
Drink prices were down on tea bags and unchanged on store brand cola, coffee and Budweiser beer.
In breads, cereals and grains aisle, prices were stable.
Frozen food prices were down overall, lead by a 75 cent drop in the price per pound for frozen haddock fillets, to $6.74. Prices were also down on frozen green beans and ice cream.
In the dairy department, prices fell on every item except sliced American cheese. Dairy prices are still down 8% for the year.
Seasonal reminder: Local strwberries are on the stands and sweet and juicy! Local corn will be ready the end of July or early August due to so much rain in June. The blueberry season goes into August. Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melons are in season. Plums, apricots, peaches and nectarines will be at full peak in July and August.
May Market Basket Up 4% For Year
The cost of the forty-one items in May came in at $95.16, down from $96.22 in April, but up from last May's cost of $91.60.
Prices decreased on produce, meats, miscellaneous, and dairy. Prices increased slightly on frozen foods and drinks and remained virtually unchanged on canned goods and breads, cereals and grains. For the year, prices were up in nearly all categories with the exception of dairy, which continued to decline.
Produce saw the biggest decrease at 7% for the month, with potatoes showing the biggest monthly decline of 15%. Carrots and onions were slightly down from last year's prices.
In the frozen food department, haddock soared to $7.49 a pound and all prices were up for the year.
Canned goods were only up slightly from last month but were up 15% from last year's prices, lead by increases in the price of Star Kist chunk light tuna and Green Giant peas.
Meat was the only category that was down overall for the year, with pork chops showing the biggest decline at 24%. Whole frying chickens, however, were up 12%.
Breads, cereals and grains were virtually unchanged for both the month and year, with decreases in bread prices balanced by increases in Kelloggs Corn Flakes and River rice.
The miscellaneous items of Oreo cookies and vegetable oil were 23% more expensive this month than May, 2008.
As has been reported in the news, dairy prices continue to fall, with decreases in all prices in this category. This decrease is a continuing concern for local dairy farmers.
Seasonal Reminders: Asparagus and rhubarb are ripening in local gardens. Strawberry picking has begun. The citrus season is over, but lemons and limes are still in season. Bing cherries, mangoes and pineapple are in season, but expensive!
April Market Basket Up 1% For Month, 4% For Year
The 41 items in the Market Basket came in at $96.22 for April, up from $95.45 in March, and $92.87 last April.
Prices were fairly stable from last month overall with the notable exception of produce and frozen foods, which were both up 5% over March prices. Although there have been decreases in the price of many produce items for the year, the overall category is up 22%, driven by a 66% increase in the cost of potatoes since April of 2008.
This month in the produce category there were price decreases on bananas, Iceberg lettuce and yellow onions.
In the meat department, prices were stable, although there were sales on bottom round roast and chuck steak.
Breads, cereals and grain prices continued to decrease, recovering from the high prices of the winter on bread and flour.
Canned goods posted a decrease on diced tomatoes and Star Kist tuna fish. The prices on Del Monte fruit cocktail, Green Giant peas and vegetable soup in beef stock all remained unchanged.
Frozen food prices were up on all products, with significant increases on haddock and green beans.
Dairy prices have been steadily declining, with decreases in the prices of butter, Parkay margarine, American sliced cheese and large eggs.
Drinks saw decreases in the price of coffee and tea bags.
Seasonal Reminders: Pineapple, mangos, and Vidalia onions are at their peak. Watermelon season has begun, but other melons come later in the summer. Rhubarb is pushing up in local gardens. The Plattsburgh Farmer's Market is open for the season.
March Market Basket Down 2%, Up 7% For the Year
The cost of the forty-one items in the market basket for March came to $95.45, down from $97.38 in February, but up from $89.04 last March. Drinks, meats and dairy products saw the only increases for the month, and those increases were slight. Prices fell minimally on canned goods, breads, cereals and grains and miscellaneous, with larger decreases in produce and frozen foods.
Frozen foods posted the biggest decrease for the month on haddock fillets, French cut green beans, vanilla ice cream , orange juice concentrate and chopped spinach.
In the produce department prices fell on all products, although prices are still up on everything except carrots for the year.
Meat prices were up overall but there were bargains to be found on ground chuck, bottom round roast and center cut pork chops. Prices were up on both chuck and sirloin steak.
Canned goods remained virtually unchanged with the exception of Star Kist tuna, which fell 22% this month.
Dairy is the only category that is lower than this time last year and the prices of whole and skim milk, butter and eggs are significantly lower than last March. However, dairy prices are up over those of last month on everything except eggs and whole milk.
Bread and sugar posted the only significant changes in the breads, cereals and grains category, with decreases on both products.
Seasonal Reminders: Oranges and grapefruit are still at their peak, but tangerines are moving out of season. Fresh strawberry supplies will be plentiful through the summer. California long white and new red potatoes are coming into season.
February Market Basket Down 1%, Up 8% For the Year
The cost of the forty-one items in the market basket for February was $97.38, down from $98.74 in January, but up from $90.11 last February. Prices increased on frozen foods, canned goods, breads cereals and grains, and miscellaneous. Prices dropped on produce, drinks, meats and dairy. For the year, prices are up in all categories except dairy. Produce prices still lead the way with a 25% increase since last year.
Dairy prices were down on all products this month, with an 11% decrease overall.
Breads, cereals and grain prices rose on sugar, flour, white bread, River brand rice, with the biggest increase in Kelloggs Corn Flakes. Prices were down slightly on spaghetti.
In the produce department, after several large increases over the winter months, prices were down slightly overall. Prices were down on bananas, white potatoes, carrots and onions. Iceberg lettuce spiked to $1.89 a head, up from $1.71 in January.
Meat prices were down on all products surveyed: ground chuck, bottom round roast, chuck and sirloin steak, whole frying chickens, center cut port chops and Oscar Mayer bacon, with a 7% drop in the overall category.
In February, drink prices were virtually unchanged as were those for frozen foods, except chopped spinach, which dropped 10%.
In the canned goods department, prices dropped on all products, especially Green Gian peas and tomatoes, which fell 6% and 8% respectively. Starkist tuna fish brough the only increase at 15%.
Miscellaneous products, salad oil and Oreo cookies, both increased in price.
Seasonal Reminders: March is the start of the peak season for artichokes and asparagus from California. Our North Country season is another two or three months away. Pineapple and strawberry supplies are coming in from California, Florida and Mexico. Grapefruit and oranges will be in good supply through April. Beets and cabbage will also be at their peak in March.
January Market Basket Prices Up 8% for the Year
Prices rose to $98.74 in January, up from $95.60 in December, and $91.14 last January.
Prices were up on produce, frozen foods, canned goods, drinks and meats. Prices fell on breads, cereals and grains, miscellaneous, and dairy. For the year, prices are up in all categories except miscellaneous, with produce prices showing the biggest increase at 30%.
Prices had the biggest jump in the produce category this month, as well as for the year. Bananas and potatoes increased in price again this month and are nearly double in price from last year.
Frozen food prices were up on frozen haddock, ice cream, adn chopped spinach in January.
Canned goods saw small increases on Green Giant peas and store brand soup.
Meats saw the biggest increase in the price of sirloin steak and center cut pork chops. Oscar Meyer bacon prices were up slightly, and whole frying chickens were up to $1.14 a pound.
Dairy prices were down on American cheese slices. Prices rose slightly on butter and eggs, with the rest of the prices remaining unchanged.
Prices held steady on all drinks except a slight rise in the cost of store brand cola.
Seasonal Reminders: The citrus season is at its peak and so are the prices! All varieties of grapes are available, and winter squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, are plentiful and high in carotene and Vitamin C.
Previous Market Baskets
Contact Information
For more information about the Technical Assistance Center at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:
E-mail: tac@plattsburgh.edu
Phone: (518) 564-2214
194 US Oval
Plattsburgh, NY 12903