Breathing Room: What’s in Your Shopping Cart?

[NB: check the byline, thanks./~Rayne]

Usually when I publish a Breathing Room post, it’s a bit of a break from politics. Unfortunately there’s little in our lives not affected by politics and current events.

Everything you eat or drink has been political, but now food and beverages are even more volatile than eight months ago.

A simple weekly task like grocery shopping is rife with pitfalls, more so than during the early days of the pandemic.

Here’s a sampling of fresh groceries I frequently order from the local store of a national grocer:

This is ridiculous, a form of stupid bingo. Whatever I planned to cook this week is out the window if it relies on any of these out of stock or low inventory items.

Sure, I could go to the farmer’s market to see if I can find a locally grown option, but I have my suspicions the local farmers are having problems getting vegetables picked.

It’s possible some farmers might not show up at the market because they’re immigrants — no idea what their legal status may be but it doesn’t matter if they are scared they may be grabbed. The Asian gentleman with the gorgeous cōng, the Hispanic couple with the tasty zapallitos, the other Hispanic family with the calabazas and repollos may not be there this year.

Some items aren’t and haven’t been available because of persistent bad weather due to climate change. I haven’t been able to buy Napa cabbage with any regularity for two years now. Some dishes I cook are just not the same using regular green cabbage as a substitute.

The problem isn’t just Stephen Miller’s irrational and cruel immigration policies but the inability of the US to restrain its consumption of oil and natural gas, making climate change worse each year.

I’ll work my way around these supply chain disruptions and shortages. I’ll manage around the absurd prices on some items thanks to Trump’s irrational approach to overseas trade.

What really worries me: how do the folks in the bottom deciles navigate this? Are their children not getting enough fruits and vegetables because their parents can’t buy enough of them on their budget, or can’t find them even if they can afford them? How are families supposed to spend more precious time and gas running all over to find vegetables?

How the hell is this making America great again?

Don’t answer that, it’s a rhetorical question. None of this political bullshit causing shortages is necessary except to shake people down.

This is an open thread — tell us how you’re filling your shopping cart. Tell us how you’re helping others make ends meet.