New York City grocery stores are charging customers more for their beef, but prices for other staples like ground beef, oranges, and avocados actually decreased slightly over the past six months.
According to a price comparison by Gothamist reporters, who visited 20 New York City grocery stores in four different boroughs, the average price of a pound of ground beef rose 14% from $5.80 in July to $6.62 in December, which is consistent with national averages. But other staples saw bigger swings: the cost of oranges jumped by more than 70%, while avocados increased by over 40%.
Experts point out that stores in low-income neighborhoods often had higher prices for groceries overall - but not all the time. In many cases, stores in these areas actually charged less for certain items.
The reasons behind price disparities across New York City grocery stores are complex and varied. While big retailers like Wegmans and Trader Joe's have a competitive advantage because they can buy from suppliers at lower volumes, some of these chains rarely open locations in low-income neighborhoods where demand is highest.
A food systems expert notes that when there's limited supply - as happened with beef due to droughts and transportation costs increasing - prices rise. Beef producers also control pricing, so even small changes in supply can have a big impact on prices.
Price-conscious shoppers can take steps to save money by shopping around for the best deals or taking advantage of sales and coupons. Some items may be more expensive at certain times of year, but there are ways to mitigate these price fluctuations - like buying produce when it's cheaper or freezing it for later use.
When it comes to prices that fluctuate daily, like those for milk and eggs, stores often set their prices on paper so they don't change unexpectedly. But experts say grocery stores struggle with pricing milk because customers expect low prices for an item everyone knows the price of.
Grocers can charge higher prices for certain items by buying them in large quantities because these products have long shelf lives - making it easier to predict sales and set stable prices. However, produce like milk is harder to control due to its perishable nature.
Some experts, including a professor who studies food systems at the University of Buffalo, suggested that shoppers should stock up when egg or meat prices drop in anticipation of future price increases. Others recommend freezing items to save money - including eggs by separating the yolks and whites.
According to a price comparison by Gothamist reporters, who visited 20 New York City grocery stores in four different boroughs, the average price of a pound of ground beef rose 14% from $5.80 in July to $6.62 in December, which is consistent with national averages. But other staples saw bigger swings: the cost of oranges jumped by more than 70%, while avocados increased by over 40%.
Experts point out that stores in low-income neighborhoods often had higher prices for groceries overall - but not all the time. In many cases, stores in these areas actually charged less for certain items.
The reasons behind price disparities across New York City grocery stores are complex and varied. While big retailers like Wegmans and Trader Joe's have a competitive advantage because they can buy from suppliers at lower volumes, some of these chains rarely open locations in low-income neighborhoods where demand is highest.
A food systems expert notes that when there's limited supply - as happened with beef due to droughts and transportation costs increasing - prices rise. Beef producers also control pricing, so even small changes in supply can have a big impact on prices.
Price-conscious shoppers can take steps to save money by shopping around for the best deals or taking advantage of sales and coupons. Some items may be more expensive at certain times of year, but there are ways to mitigate these price fluctuations - like buying produce when it's cheaper or freezing it for later use.
When it comes to prices that fluctuate daily, like those for milk and eggs, stores often set their prices on paper so they don't change unexpectedly. But experts say grocery stores struggle with pricing milk because customers expect low prices for an item everyone knows the price of.
Grocers can charge higher prices for certain items by buying them in large quantities because these products have long shelf lives - making it easier to predict sales and set stable prices. However, produce like milk is harder to control due to its perishable nature.
Some experts, including a professor who studies food systems at the University of Buffalo, suggested that shoppers should stock up when egg or meat prices drop in anticipation of future price increases. Others recommend freezing items to save money - including eggs by separating the yolks and whites.
. I mean, sure, some stores are charging more for beef, but others are actually offering cheaper alternatives like ground beef, oranges, and avocados 
. And let's be real, it's not like these prices are going to stay the same forever - inflation is a real thing, folks 
. Plus, have you seen the prices of avocados lately? Like, what's up with that? 
It's not just about the big retailers like Wegmans and Trader Joe's either - it's also about the smaller stores in low-income neighborhoods that are trying to make a buck 
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. I mean, come on, that sounds like more work than just buying what you need when you need it 
. And let's be real, who has the time or money to be a master of price fluctuations? Not me, that's for sure 
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like i do every week. and if you wanna save money on stuff that goes bad fast (like milk and eggs), just stock up when they're cheap or freeze them . makes sense, right? 
Plus, I don't get how they manage to control prices on milk and eggs... I mean, it's not like anyone expects the price of those to change every five seconds. 
And don't even get me started on avocados - who can afford 'em anymore? 
. And don't even get me started on how stores in low-income neighborhoods are getting taken advantage of - it's just another example of systemic inequality 
. But you know what the real problem is? The fact that we, as consumers, have no idea what's going on behind those store shelves 
. Wake up, sheeple!
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. Like, I'd love to see a map of which stores have higher prices in low-income neighborhoods 
. That would be super helpful for people trying to budget and plan meals without breaking the bank 
, but other staples like oranges and avocados are actually getting cheaper! 
like what? is this a general trend or just a NYC thing? 
and avocados too... what's up with that?? i'm all for savin money but it feels like stores just playin games wit us customers. got a friend who works at a low-income neighborhood store and they actually cut prices on staples like rice & pasta 
not every time tho, i guess its all about supply & demand... also dont forget u can always stock up on eggs or freeze 'em 4 later use 
and don't even get me started on how some stores in low-income neighborhoods have better prices overall - it's not always fair 
. It's not always black and white. I'm not saying it's a good thing or anything, but it's just interesting to see how it all works.
. It's like, we got this whole food saving thing down pat!
That's wild. And it's not just the fluctuations in price that are a problem, but also when certain products are more expensive at certain times of year. I mean, who doesn't love a good avocado toast? 
But seriously, there are ways to save money if you're aware of the prices.
. Ground beef prices rose 14%, oranges shot up by over 70%... meanwhile, avocados increased by a whoppin' 40%. That's some real money 
. I mean, come on, oranges are basically just a luxury item now, and who needs that many oranges anyway? Plus, have you seen the prices of eggs lately? They're like, what, $5 a dozen or something? That's just crazy talk! But you know what's not crazy? Stocking up on those eggs when they go on sale and freezing them for later use... sounds like a solid plan to me