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Post by Dave's Not Here Man on Oct 15, 2021 10:59:26 GMT -5
at Walmart
19.99 /lb for boneless ribeyes (Wally's NonSpecific Country Of origin Brand)
8.99 /lb for bacon (major Brand I think Smithfield)
These are probably the best examples I found of over-the-top prices on the shelves. And by the way, these two things were plentiful at the smallmart the day we went.
The supply chain problem is super obvious and to those that think differently, the many people I know that actually work in that supply chain will tell you their warehouses are empty and what used to come in a couple of times a week may only come in once every week or two.
The covid 19 virus is the obvious catalyst to all this right? Or is it? On this it's my opinion that Trumps ham handed war on global trade, remember it wasn't just China he slammed his shoe at, it was Canada, Germany, and other trade partners, was working it's failed magic long before the Wuhan Lab shot Covid cannons into the middle of the city. At best, he weakened a critical section of the supply chain just enough to allow the covid to sever it.
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Post by minx on Oct 15, 2021 12:27:03 GMT -5
It's all Biden's fault!
This problem has been building for years - I think Trump's disastrously trade policies and COVID just accelerated the inevitable.
Forty years ago, a person could make a decent living working on the docks or driving a truck. Yes, it was back-breaking miserable work, but it paid fairly well. The job hasn't changed much, but the pay sure has. Not only can't you support a family, but for many independent truckers there's no way to even support yourself - literally drive or die. Not to mention the disdain so many have for the 'morons' who work those jobs - clearly they're not smart enough to work in an office!
And now we wonder why no one wants those jobs. Add to that out of the pool of applicants, you'll have people who physically can't do the work, or can't pass the CDL tests for whatever reason, and you have a smaller and smaller pool to draw from.
But it's okay for people like Jeff Bezos to be richer than God while his employees make shit - he EARNED it.
I've talked to one small business owner who has said that if they have it in stock, you'd better buy it if you want it, cause there's no guarantee they can re-stock. They're really worried about the upcoming holiday season - both for getting stock in, and for what they'll have to pay for it - they can only pass on but so much to the consumer, because the average consumer only cares about whether they can get something on the cheap from Amazon.
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Post by bobathon on Oct 15, 2021 13:51:45 GMT -5
One of the weaknesses in supply chain management is just in time shipping. It's a goal, because nobody wants materials to sit idle. But when there's an issue, it ripples, and cannot recover quickly. It's like a pump losing it's prime.
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Post by Dave's Not Here Man on Oct 15, 2021 16:15:57 GMT -5
Speaking of pumps the first 3 gas stations I stopped at today were all dry.
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Post by minx on Oct 15, 2021 17:03:13 GMT -5
Not good. I gassed up last weekend. Twas pricey, but my tank is full.
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Post by k9krap on Oct 15, 2021 19:41:23 GMT -5
Maybe more will eschew meat? What a wonderful world that could be?
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Post by Dave's Not Here Man on Oct 16, 2021 10:58:46 GMT -5
The more tender the meat the easier it is to eschew.
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Post by minx on Oct 18, 2021 10:13:09 GMT -5
I was at BJs this weekend. Tons of beef, pretty reasonably priced. No chicken. And bacon was the price of a new home.
My friend (who's husband runs the small cattle farm), said that these are the effects from ranchers not being able to process livestock last year - it takes a while to trickle-down through the system, as there are some stockpiled - they're all gone. So I guess we can expect to be eating more beans and rice going forward.
Pam happily rejoices....
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Post by Dave's Not Here Man on Oct 18, 2021 10:43:56 GMT -5
Ain't it funny that gas goes up way pre-trickle.
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Post by k9krap on Oct 18, 2021 19:32:15 GMT -5
Many of the animals suffer at the slaughter houses whether they are killed or not. It just means the pigs have to stay in those tiny little cages even longer, with no room to turn around or change positions.
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Post by minx on Oct 19, 2021 8:54:41 GMT -5
I don't think that a slaughterhouse is a pleasant place, either for the workers or the animals. And since most slaughterhouses and meat packing plants have been consolidated, it means a longer drive to get your animals there to be processed. Friend said that they have a 'local' - they have to drive (I think) about 2hrs. But they only have this slot because her FIL and his father before him owned the farm, so they are long-time customers. And they always book early and pay promptly to keep their status open.
Most small farmers use the big processors like Tysons - they get booted out of line if a factory farm needs a slot.
I don't support factory farms, but I also don't feel that livestock needs 'wide open spaces' to roam either. But much like the rest of the farming industry, a few large corporations have taken control of the food chain and they determine what we eat, and the conditions it was produced in.
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Post by bobathon on Oct 19, 2021 10:21:18 GMT -5
Soylent Pink is bacon flavored! Yum!
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Post by minx on Oct 19, 2021 10:46:14 GMT -5
People are pigs! About time it was acknowledged and codified into food law!
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Post by Dave's Not Here Man on Oct 19, 2021 11:35:20 GMT -5
There are thousands if not dozens of ways that we, us, murka, could sort of reinvent the wheel when it comes to all kinds of things but our food supply is one that I can see being rather easy. First thing to do is break up the monopolies like Smithfield, Conagra, Tyson and limit companies like Monsanto from selling products until they are fully tested and approved by the FDA but I would advocate for new departments within the DOAgri and Interior, possibly the EPA as well, having the full authority when it comes to chemicals in our food. Second would be to make them adhere to labor and hiring laws, and punish them in a way that makes it catastrophic to break those laws. Next would be the ethical and sustainable farming practices that used to be a no-brainer. How much of an animal is wasted from the time it is slaughtered until the time it hits the fork? And beyond? For example, Walmart #33220 has 4000 pounds or more of meat on the shelf as i type. Tomorrow, what happens to that meat what gets pulled for date codes? In my experience a lot of it goes into the dumpster. That would be mainly the pre-packaged type as some of it may go to Valley Proteins (ask me if you don't know) who was the main company that goes around in giant trucks sucking up meat scraps and cooking grease to make into food not for humans.
Every piece of unsold meat should be pulled one day before the code expires and get vacuum sealed , boxed, and put in the freezers. If it remains unsold for x number of days, then the food banks or whoever can come and get it. when I used to swing a hammer for money, we always calculated 15-20% over what materials we needed for waste. Imagine how much more that waste cost the consumer on both ends because the industry has to produce more than be consumed and then dispose of the waste that remains once the project is complete. Clue- Big fucking dumpsters full in some places, and right under your top layer of dirt in your yard in other places.
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Post by minx on Oct 19, 2021 16:07:40 GMT -5
Only thing I would change is the date meats are pulled off the shelves to be frozen - should be earlier. Just because you're poor doesn't mean you deserve to be given goods that are right at the best-by date.
I would go further though - all meats should be vacuum sealed from the start to increase shelf life, and prevent things like freezer burn. Produce near the end of it's shelf life should also be vacuum sealed and go to the food bank. And the USDA program to buy up excess food to distribute to others needs to be completely re-vamped so people get food they need and can use.
I volunteer at a USDA food pantry. You can get a food package once a week. Some items in the package 1 lb of butter 1 jar of peanut butter 1 gallon of milk 3 can of condensed soup (you have no choice in what flavor) 3 cans of vegetables (you have no choice in what vegetables) 3 pounds of chicken breasts (sometimes it's a whole chicken) 1 block (a pound I guess) of velveeta like cheese
And there is no distinction between a household of 1 or a household of 4 - you get the same stuff in the same quantities.
Imagine the difference if you could 'shop' for what you need. So I'm a family of 1. I need the soup, veggies and chicken. No PB, cheese or milk please!
You're a family of 4 You don't need soup, but you could sure use some extra cheese and milk. So my milk and cheese goes to you. Meanwhile, your soup is saved for a person who needs and wants it.
But the prevailing attitude is that you should be grateful to get anything. I'd love to see food banks converted into central distribution hubs. People in need of food can go online and either say they wanted a 'standard' box (which would have a selection of stuff) or could customize a box with what they need. They'd then specify a pick-up location and date from an available list. Food bank would then drop off packages and volunteers could pass them out as people arrive.
More work, but also less waste. But also more money - government would have to pay for workers and management of the food. And good ole Joe Manchin would never stand for that!
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Post by Dave's Not Here Man on Oct 19, 2021 16:26:08 GMT -5
You so chullist!
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