Peanut butter prices skyrocketing

[n2doc]

CNNMoney
6:04 a.m. CDT, November 1, 2011

Sharp increases in peanut butter prices have begun going into effect following one of the worst peanut harvests in decades.

Kraft will raise prices for its Planters brand peanut butter by 40 percent starting Monday, while ConAgra has instituted increases of more than 20 percent for its Peter Pan brand that went into effect this month.

J.M. Smucker, which makes Jif, will introduce price hikes of around 30 percent starting Tuesday.

Consumers, meanwhile, are already seeing these increases reflected at grocery stores.

Maria Brous, a spokeswoman for the Publix chain, said the store had already made slight increases in retail prices and expects them to go higher “as the cost of goods continue to rise“.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-peanut-butter-prices-skyrocketing-20111101,0,1645306.story

Stock up if you can...

[Romulox]

1. Peanut butter is not nearly as healthy a staple as I once thought (not enough protein).

If too expensive, I would skip it for something more nutritionally sound--some have suggested almond butter or other nut butters, but those aren't that widely available.

[FailureToCommunicate]

11. Really? Not enough protein? Most Americans get way more protein

then they need anyway, but peanut butter is a pretty good, real food. Almond butter is even better (not a legume)

And for protein for the price? Hard to beat the lowly PBJ on wheat bread - even if the price of PB is increasing:

"One hundred calories of peanut butter (about 1 tablespoon) costs about 7¢, far less than 100 calories of other protein sources, such as cottage cheese (55¢ per 100 calories), tuna (60¢) and deli turkey breast (75¢). The cost of 200 calories of peanut butter is about 15¢, far less than the $1.49 you'd spend on 200 calories of an energy bar... and generally, the peanut butter is far tastier!" -- Nancy Clark, sports nutritionist.

[Romulox]

13. I don't agree that most Americans get the 50-75 g of protein a day they need.

And a tbs of peanut butter provides nearly 100 calories, 8 g. of fat, and only 4 g protein. You'd need to eat 18 of these to get to 75 grams of protein, by which time you'd have ingested 144 grams of fat--more than twice the daily allowance of fat!

So while peanut butter can be a sound part of a healthy diet, too much of it is not super healthy, and it is NOT a real efficient (i.e. low fat) source of protein.

http://fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/peanut-butter

http://fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/ground-beef-regular-cooked

[FailureToCommunicate]

14. So...hamburger is better for you than peanut butter? Not all fat is equal, but

...whatever.

Maybe I misunderstood your links.

[Romulox]

15. Sick of posting reasoned responses on DU to receive "whatever" responses in return.

I did nothing but politely answer your question. Never used the phrase "better for you", either.

"Whatever" to you, too. :eyes:

[FailureToCommunicate]

16. You overlooked the part where I said maybe I misunderstood your

links. The two you provided seemed to compare the nutrition of peanut butter to hamburger, with the hamburger chart showing much more protein (to support your point?)

So...I thought you were implying that burger is 'better' (more protein)

Sorry for the "whatever"

[Kali]

2. nevermind recalls and the fact that a hugh chunk of the country has been reduced

to living on such things

ah the old supply and demand principles of our wonderful free-market lords at play

[Evasporque]

7. Toasted PB&J....yummy...

I buy Holsum brand Old Fashioned Peanut Butter...peanuts and salt..

Grill and peanut butter and jelly sammy like a grilled cheese...and eat with a cold glass of milk...

that takes me back...

[kestrel91316]

3. I bought almond butter rather than PB at Trader Joe's the last time I went.

Nice for a change, but pricier. I don't need all that fat anyway, so I guess I just won't keep such on hand now.

[dtexdem]

4. Yikes, I'd better run out and stock up!

I can't make it without my morning peanut butter on my waffles!

[msongs]

5. skippy's etc are pretty much toxic - just buy no sugar added kind that seperates nt

[Evasporque]

6. I still bought 16 oz. natural peanut butter (with the oil) for $2.50

If you put sugar and fat in peanut butter it costs more...and you get less peanuts...

[catbyte]

8. What infuriates me is they raise prices on jars already on shelves

Weren't they already paid for?

[hobbit709]

10. same way the price at the pump goes up when the price of oil rises.

[jwirr]

9. Where are the crop failures? I know that our peanut butter comes

both from southern USA and Africa. Did all of the crops fail?

I assume that it is going to be bad for peanut farmers in the USA but think of how terrible it is for Africa.

[Pab Sungenis]

12. I'll be more concerned when the price of actual peanuts starts to go up similarly.

I haven't bought peanut butter for over a year, I've taken to making my own. Pound of roasted peanuts out of the shell, teaspoon of salt, teaspoon of honey or molasses (whichever I've got handy) and three tablespoons of peanut oil in a food processor and bam. 16 ounces of peanut butter.

Healthier (especially since there's no HFCS in my recipe) and cheaper in the long run.