E-mail this pageMarket Basket
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.
2008
April Market Basket Up 4% For Month, 7% For Year
The 41 items in the Market Basket came in at $92.87 for April, up from $88.87 in March, and $87.39 last April.
Miscellaneous prices were down for the month, while produce, meats, breads, cereals and grains, canned goods, frozen foods, dairy and drink prices all increased in price in April. For the year, prices are up in all categories except drinks and miscellaneous.
Produce saw price increases on red Delicious apples, bananas, carrots, Iceberg lettuce, onions, and white potoatoes.
In the meat department, prices were up on bottom round roast, sirloin steak, Oscar Mayer bacon, and whole frying chilckens ($1.29 a lb).
Breads, cereals and grain prices increased on sugar, flour, River rice and bread.
Canned goods posted increases on Del Monte fruit cocktail, tomatoes, Star Kist tuna, adn vegetable soup.
Frozen food prices were up on haddock, green beans, and ice cream.
Dairy prices jumped on American cheese slices, eggs, and whole and skim milk. For the year, dairy prices are up 18%.
Drinks saw the smallest increase for the month in the price of coffee ($3.12 for one pound of store brand).
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 Farmers Market is now open for the season.
March Market Basket Down 3%, Up 7% For Year
The data for the month of March compares the three stores with the four stores in February. P&C closed its doors at the end of February, leaving Price Chopper, Hannaford, and Big M to collect data from. From April on, we will be able to compare the three stores each month and for the year.
The cost of the forty-one items in the Market Basket in March came in at $88.87, down from $93.21 in February, and up from $83.31 last March. Frozen foods, and breads, cereals and grains saw the only price increases for the month. Prices fell on produce, canned goods, drinks, meats, miscellaneous and dairy. For the year, prices are up in all categories, except produce and drinks.
Breads, cereals and grains posted the biggest increase for the month on sugar, flour, and Kelloggs corn flakes.
In the frozen foods department, prices rose on haddock and store brand ice cream.
The biggest drop in prices for the month was in the produce department, where prices fell on red Delicious apples, carrots, Iceberg lettuce ($1.59 a head), yellow onions and white potatoes.
Meat prices dropped on bottom round roast, chuck and sirloin steak, Oscar Mayer bacon, and whole frying chickens, down to $1.09 a pound.
Canned goods prices fell on Del Monte fruit cocktail, Green Giant peas, tomatoes, vegetable soups, and Star Kist tuna.
Drink prices were dropped on Budweiser beer, store brand cola, and tea bags.
Seasonal Reminders: Oranges and grapefruit are still at their peak, but tangerines are moving out of season. Fresh pineapple and strawberry supplies will be plentiful thru summer. California long white and new red potatoes are coming into season.
February Market Basket Down 1%, Up 6% For The Year
The cost of the forty-one items in the market basket for February was $91.21, down from $92.25 in January, but up from $85.90 last February. Prices increased on produce, breads, cereals and grains, meats, miscellaneous, and dairy. Prices dropped on drinks, frozen foods, and canned goods. For the year, prices are up in all categories, except drinks. Dairy prices still lead the way with the biggest increase.
Dairy prices were up on butter, American cheese slices, and whole milk. Prices fell on skim milk and large eggs.
Breads, cereals and grain prices rose on sugar, flour, white bread and spaghetti.
In the produce department, prices spiked on red Delicious apples, bananas, onions, and white potatoes. Iceberg lettuce dropped to $1.71 a head, down from $1.84 in January, and $1.91 last year.
Meat prices escalated on ground chuck, chuck steak, and whole frying chickens were up to $1.25 a pound.
In February, drink prices fell on store brand coffee and cola.
Frozen foods saw haddock, ice cream and orange juice prices drop.
In the canned goods department, prices dropped on vegetable soup. Prices held steady on Del Monte fruit cocktail, tomatoes, and Star Kist tuna.
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 7% For The Year
Prices rose to $92.25 in January, up from $92.00 in December, and $86.08 last January.
Prices were up on frozen foods, canned goods, and breads, cereals and grains. Prices fell on produce, drinks, meats, miscellaneous, and dairy. For the year, prices are up in all eight categories, with dairy prices showing the biggest increase.
Prices had the biggest jump in the breads, cereals, and grains category. Store brand sugar, flour, white bread, spaghetti, and River Rice, all posted increases for the month.
Frozen food prices were up on green beans, spinach, vanilla ice cream, and orange juice in January.
Canned goods saw increases on Del Monte fruit cocktail, Green Giant peas, store brand tomatoes, and Star Kist tuna.
Meats saw the biggest drop in the price of chuck and sirloin steak and center cut pork chops. Oscar Mayer bacon prices held steady, and whole frying chickens were up to $1.19 a pound.
Dairy prices were down on American cheese slices and whole milk. Prices rose on butter, Parkay margarine, eggs, and skim milk.
Produce prices fell on red Delicious apples, bananas, carrots, and white potatoes. Iceberg lettuce was up to $1.84 a head.
Prices were down on coffee, cola, and tea bags in the drinks category.
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.
On a sad note, P & C is closing their doors at the end of this month after thirty-six years in the Plattsburgh market.
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