Woolworths receipt sheds light on the realities of Australian shopping experiences: ‘This is what $30.00 of fruit and veg looks like’
- Replies 18
Have you felt the strain on your wallet at the supermarket lately?
Sadly, the new year seems like it has brought with it many of the old one’s problems, including the high prices of goods.
Case in point: the results of one woman’s recent trip to her local Woolies.
‘This is what $30.00 of fruit and veg looks like,’ the woman wrote on Facebook.
The items included a handful of fresh produce like strawberries, blueberries, a pineapple, carrots, potatoes, beans and cauliflower. Not a whole lot for those of us who have several mouths to feed!
A peek at a copy of the receipt the woman shared later on reveals that the items were priced as follows:
‘I'm finding it extremely difficult to meal prep,' she added.
'Especially choosing the right amount of vegetables so I don't overspend. Any tips?'
The genuine plea for help caught the attention of many, with more than 400 people leaving a comment.
‘Honestly I would say at least half of the $30 was just on the berries. Look at cheaper fruit and only buy fresh berries sparingly. Frozen is just as good if not better for most things,’ one woman said.
Another added: ‘Skimp on the berries…a few tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber (for salad) would probably cost you the same as one of those punetts.. get a spinach bunch, celery, pumpkin…grab a bunch of silverbeet too.’
Others gave more general but nonetheless valuable pieces of advice.
‘Seek the sales or discounted items first,’ one shared. ‘Meal plan around what's cheapest at the store or browse the online forums first.’
A second added: ‘Ask on your local pages if there’s any Veggie vans around your area. We have one just out of town, but not out of our way and they source direct from the farmers. It can be much cheaper, fresher, and in season.’
Some even advised the woman to do her own gardening — something she thankfully already does (‘I’m planting like a maniac,’ she says in one response).
This rather saddening consumer story comes just as Aussies were told to brace themselves for an impending rise in the prices of grocery items, with major supermarkets like Woolworths’ and Coles’ price freezes on select items set to end.
Woolworths will not bring back its lapsed freeze on the prices of select items and will instead keep a close watch on suppliers’ cost increase requests.
‘While the Price Freeze program has come to an end, we remain focused on maximising value for our customers, and many of the products from the program currently remain at the same low price,’ a spokesperson said.
‘We will continue to review each cost increase request from our suppliers on a case-by-case basis, working together to sensitively manage market-wide inflationary pressures.’
There is however better news from Coles, which has decided to continue with its price freeze. The retail giant is expected to announce further details in the coming days.
‘Dropped & Locked will continue beyond 31 January when the first phase of the promotion was scheduled to end. Further details will be provided soon,’ Coles announced.
‘We will also continue to focus on value through weekly specials, Down Down and Everyday Low Prices which offer key staples at trusted pricing for the longer term, and through other offers such as Flybuys points.’
The current food price crisis has taken a major toll on Aussie shoppers amid the rising cost of living. Many households are already struggling to buy enough food for their families, and the rising food prices are making the situation even worse.
Foul weather, disruptions in the global supply chain, and high fuel costs have been blamed for food inflation in the past.
A poll in May of last year found that Aussies have partially adjusted to the financial pressure posed by soaring grocery costs by opting for more budget-friendly generic brands, buying in bulk, and even reducing social activities to save as much money as they can.
In addition, experts are also concerned that food prices will significantly increase during the next few months over lingering supply chain issues, leading to a further surge in grocery bills for Australians.
Now, if this story has you scratching your head on how to save on your supermarket trips, fret not! Here are some tips to help you save money on groceries!
Source: YouTube/7News Australia
So, what are your thoughts on this woman’s domestic dilemma? Are there any tips you can share on buying just the right amount of fruit and veggie in your grocery shop?
Tell us in the comments below!
Sadly, the new year seems like it has brought with it many of the old one’s problems, including the high prices of goods.
Case in point: the results of one woman’s recent trip to her local Woolies.
‘This is what $30.00 of fruit and veg looks like,’ the woman wrote on Facebook.
The items included a handful of fresh produce like strawberries, blueberries, a pineapple, carrots, potatoes, beans and cauliflower. Not a whole lot for those of us who have several mouths to feed!
A peek at a copy of the receipt the woman shared later on reveals that the items were priced as follows:
- 1.6kg Potatoes - $2.23
- 0.98kg Carrots - $2.46
- .36kg Round Beans - $2.39
- Cauliflower - $3.90
- 2 packs of 250g Strawberries - $4.00
- 4 packs of 125g Blueberries - $7.60
- Pineapple - $3.90
‘I'm finding it extremely difficult to meal prep,' she added.
'Especially choosing the right amount of vegetables so I don't overspend. Any tips?'
The genuine plea for help caught the attention of many, with more than 400 people leaving a comment.
‘Honestly I would say at least half of the $30 was just on the berries. Look at cheaper fruit and only buy fresh berries sparingly. Frozen is just as good if not better for most things,’ one woman said.
Another added: ‘Skimp on the berries…a few tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber (for salad) would probably cost you the same as one of those punetts.. get a spinach bunch, celery, pumpkin…grab a bunch of silverbeet too.’
Others gave more general but nonetheless valuable pieces of advice.
‘Seek the sales or discounted items first,’ one shared. ‘Meal plan around what's cheapest at the store or browse the online forums first.’
A second added: ‘Ask on your local pages if there’s any Veggie vans around your area. We have one just out of town, but not out of our way and they source direct from the farmers. It can be much cheaper, fresher, and in season.’
Some even advised the woman to do her own gardening — something she thankfully already does (‘I’m planting like a maniac,’ she says in one response).
This rather saddening consumer story comes just as Aussies were told to brace themselves for an impending rise in the prices of grocery items, with major supermarkets like Woolworths’ and Coles’ price freezes on select items set to end.
Woolworths will not bring back its lapsed freeze on the prices of select items and will instead keep a close watch on suppliers’ cost increase requests.
‘While the Price Freeze program has come to an end, we remain focused on maximising value for our customers, and many of the products from the program currently remain at the same low price,’ a spokesperson said.
‘We will continue to review each cost increase request from our suppliers on a case-by-case basis, working together to sensitively manage market-wide inflationary pressures.’
There is however better news from Coles, which has decided to continue with its price freeze. The retail giant is expected to announce further details in the coming days.
‘Dropped & Locked will continue beyond 31 January when the first phase of the promotion was scheduled to end. Further details will be provided soon,’ Coles announced.
‘We will also continue to focus on value through weekly specials, Down Down and Everyday Low Prices which offer key staples at trusted pricing for the longer term, and through other offers such as Flybuys points.’
The current food price crisis has taken a major toll on Aussie shoppers amid the rising cost of living. Many households are already struggling to buy enough food for their families, and the rising food prices are making the situation even worse.
Foul weather, disruptions in the global supply chain, and high fuel costs have been blamed for food inflation in the past.
A poll in May of last year found that Aussies have partially adjusted to the financial pressure posed by soaring grocery costs by opting for more budget-friendly generic brands, buying in bulk, and even reducing social activities to save as much money as they can.
In addition, experts are also concerned that food prices will significantly increase during the next few months over lingering supply chain issues, leading to a further surge in grocery bills for Australians.
Now, if this story has you scratching your head on how to save on your supermarket trips, fret not! Here are some tips to help you save money on groceries!
Source: YouTube/7News Australia
So, what are your thoughts on this woman’s domestic dilemma? Are there any tips you can share on buying just the right amount of fruit and veggie in your grocery shop?
Tell us in the comments below!