Blame Covid
Stephen and I trotted off to town yesterday morning to do our Christmas food shopping. We were there early, but so was everyone else. The carpark was full at 8.30am when we arrived. It didn’t bother us as we had all day with nothing else to do, other than buying a new toaster.
I was disappointed that there were a number of things I’d normally buy at Christmas time that weren’t there. Can we blame Covid? There was no frozen crab meat. When I asked if this was available, I was directed to the fish section opposite, but the man working was unable to find what I was after. He suggested I come back later to which I replied firmly, ‘’not possible’’. There was some fresh crab meat so I bought that instead. When we reached checkout, another shopper saw it in our trolley and darted back to that section herself. We were not the only ones looking for it.
And then the grapes were absent as well. I realise these have to be imported. Last time I was there I bought a bag and was shocked at the price - $19. However, it is Christmas and I will buy a few things like that. I didn’t see any water melons either, usually a traditional Christmas fare. And there were only small pork roasts, only big enough to feed two or three people. I usually like to buy a big one of these at this time of year.
I realise the high fruit and vegetable prices are being blamed on Cyclone Gabrielle, which wiped out many of the Hawkes Bay orchards, but can everything be put down to that? As I said, grapes at this time of year would have to come from elsewhere and there should be plenty of local growers for things like watermelon.
Covid was the first time we had seen shortages and restrictions on food, followed by restrictions and delays on just about everything else. It has been a while now since the lockdowns but availability and prices have not returned to normal yet. I am wondering why.
Stephen and I had shopped only a fortnight ago, stocking up on our basics, so we really only needed food for the next week, which included a ham, few bottles of wine, cashew nuts and fruit for the salad, among the Christmas goodies. Our trolley was only half full yet the cost at check-out was a staggering $580 worth. I am really wondering, as I have done so often lately, how are families coping this year? Yes, much of what I put into the trolley could be considered luxury items but this is Christmas, we want food that we normally wouldn’t buy that makes us feel it is Christmas. And I am guessing, so do other shoppers.
As I mentioned in my last blog, Christmas is a time when there is also a spike in domestic violence and the use of budgeters. High prices don’t help anyone.
Let’s hope that everyone can enjoy their day surrounded by family and not be stressing about how they are going to pay back the money they spent trying to make everyone else’s day special.