Are The Top Brand manufacturers Doing Something Different To Make Their Prices So Much Higher?
The answer to this question is...yes. In most all case their promotional costs to make you aware that the product exists is usually by far much greater than what your local food chain spends. Also, the local food chains advertise to more local consumers on radio and TV which are more likely in the local area at a much lower cost. The bottom line is a much lower operating expense. Another very important point is "brand name" products are usually produced anywhere in the world, increasing handling and shipping costs and in many cases sacrificing on product freshness and in some cases lowering the product quality. We, the consumers must absorb those costs one way or another. They may not all be passed on to the consumer but there should be some reflection in their cost. It must be acknowledged that production volume of the larger "brand name" manufacturer, even with their existing national advertising machine costs can in some cases manage to undercut some of your local food chain stores, but this is a rarity and is usually promotional, lasting for a short period.
Other Reasons To Buy Store Name Brands And Local Produce
Very important to consider when food shopping in the fruit and vegetable isle is that many of the seasonal choices are shipped from local farms and are produced on much lower volume so that usually a much better quality can be maintained. Products shipped from thousands of miles are weathered and many fruits and vegetables are ripened in storage prior to being shipped to there destinations. The tomato is just one example, which is picked green and let ripen to reach the consumer in a "pristine" looking state. Meanwhile, much of the tomato's original nutritional values are lost. Of course, the ideal solution to buying vegetables for assured freshness and quality is to grow your own...when you can.
Food Processing And Technologies Of The Times
It is true that food processing procedures of store brand "frozen foods" are at least similar and that most of the additives, preservatives, conditioners, etc. are the same, their stored times from manufacture to consumer delivery are in many cases less than the brand name equivalent. Regarding national and international produce, whether it be fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, herbs and spices and a few other food commodities, the consumer has to contend with food "irradiation", which is supposed to protect us from possible food-borne bacteria contamination in the food processing operation. Of course, all foods which are irradiated with some level of radioactive "zapping" looses some of its nutrients and in some cases a pretty good percentages of its original contents. Irradiation of our foods changes a lot more than its nutritional contents but that would be a whole other topic.
A More Ideal Approach To Our Food Needs
Given that many families own their own homes or have access to local "community gardens", where at least some vegetables and fruit can be "home grown", it is well worth the effort in labor to pursue this approach, even if it may only be seasonal. Of course, owning a decent plot of land surrounding your home is truly a "God send" to this effort, since one can plan for individual family likes and needs. All in all the quality of the harvested produce will be the best you can have.
