HOW TO DEAL WHEN THE CUPBOARD STAPLES ARE GETTING EXPENSIVE

February 28, 2008 By Tisha Kulak

While the constantly rising costs of fuel, medications, and other consumer goods surprises relatively no one, you may be surprised at how expensive bread has become literally overnight. There is also a significant increase in the cost of pastas, cereals, pancakes, and pastries and it is all due to wheat. Wheat is a key ingredient in many common products and the price has been skyrocketing. In less than a week, the cost of wheat has nearly tripled.

The price increase results from the increased demand but decreased production of wheat. Farmers who have traditionally planted the fields of wheat are beginning to replace some of the wheat and are planting corn fields instead. Why the change? Mostly it is due to the high demand for the alternative energy source, ethanol. Ethanol is being touted as a promising alternative to gasoline. It is relatively easy to manufacture and process and can be created from common materials like corn. Because corn can be used as a chief component in the processing of Ethanol, farmers are now discovering a renewed and profitable demand for corn so they are growing more of it to meet that demand.

While most wheat farmers still grow wheat, the production is limited and causing a wheat shortage worldwide. Some countries are now forbidding any wheat products to cross over the border and others have had to man the wheat production facilities with armed guards. All over, manufacturers have to increase prices of products made from wheat to cover the additional expenses of the ingredients. Experts are noting that with the wheat prices increase, it is the fastest rising food inflation in the last 15 years. Many farmers have not seen prices this high in their lifetime.

If you are partial to wheat products but find you can not afford the raise in prices, there are substitute items you can use to replace wheat ingredients. Because many people have an allergy to wheat, there are plenty of cost-effective ideas that can be found online, such substituting wheat flour with rye flour, oat flour, and potato flour. Try baking your own breads and pastries at home that include a less-expensive alternative. Cereals are already an expensive grocery item so keep your eyes open for special deals and coupons and stock up.

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