It might seem like those high food prices haven't arrived at the supermarket yet, but they're really starting to. You're getting less, which is the same as paying more:
American supermarkets are epics of excess: it often seems like every item in the store comes in a "Jumbo" size or has "Bonus!" splashed across the label. But is it possible that the amount of food Americans are buying is, in fact... shrinking? Well, yes. Soaring commodity and fuel prices are driving up costs for manufacturers; faced with a choice between raising prices (which consumers would surely notice) or quietly putting fewer ounces in the bag, carton or cup (which they generally don't) manufacturers are choosing the latter. This month, Kellogg's started shipping Apple Jacks, Cocoa Krispies, Corn Pops, Froot Loops and Honey Smacks containing an average of 2.4 fewer ounces per box.
Similar reductions have recently happened or are on the horizon for many other products: Tropicana orange juice containers are shrinking from 96 ounces to 89; Wrigley's is dropping its the 17-stick PlenTPak in favor of the 15-stick Slim Pack; Dial soap bars now weigh half an ounce less, and that's even before they melt in the shower. Containers of Country Crock spread, Hellmann's mayonnaise and Edy's and Breyer's ice cream have all slimmed down as well (although that may not necessarily be a bad thing).
This is OK by me; seems like a reasonable response, as long as the labels aren't misleading. As someone who tries to shop for one, I find the portions and sizes out there appallingly huge. I usually end up buying something meant for a family of four and breaking it down into smaller units. Some of the stuff spoils before I can eat it all, and I'm sick and tired of the rest by the time it's all gone. That's one of the downsides of living in such a family-friendly town. Everything is geared toward those damn families.
