Sugar Shortage?

On the news last night was a story about the price of sugar dramatically increasing over the next year. This caught my attention and so I had to do a little research :) I have read several articles on the rising price in sugar and there seems to be a mixed reaction the sugar increase. Some say the increase will be dramatic, while others think it will only be a small increase. Either way, I have concluded that I will be stocking up my sugar supply, just in case! This does remind me a little of the rice scare last year, but either way, if the prices even go up a few dollars, I would rather prepare now and save later :) Perhaps these increases are the reason we didn't see sugar on sale this past holiday season. I guess the $10 for a 25lb. bag is as good as we are going to get :(

This morning I have called around the four lowest price leaders to see what their prices are on sugar and I have proof of the rising costs! Just last month I price checked Costco & Sam's Club and their 25lb. bag of sugar was just over $10/25lb. bag. Now it is $14.72 and $14.79--ugh! So, for those of you here in the Utah valley, the Riverton Walmart has their 25lb. bags for $11.72--the NEW lowest price. The LDS Dry Pack Cannery has their 25lb. bags for $13.22 (going up January 16th). I hope this helps in your shopping trip for sugar. Good luck!

Here are a few quotes and links so you can see what information is out there about the rising cost of sugar:
Sugar Prices Double in 2009:

http://in.reuters.com/article/economicNews/idINIndia-45085020091231

Los Angeles Times said,
"The futures price of sugar traded on world markets closed at 22.2 cents a pound Thursday, down about a penny from the previous day but still up 72% in six months. Weather problems in the sugar-producing regions of India, the diversion of Brazilian sugar cane to produce ethanol, and a growing global sweet tooth are behind the increase, according to analysts.

In a recent letter to Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack, the group warned of "unprecedented shortages." Without higher quotas on sugar imports, "consumers will pay higher prices, food manufacturing jobs will be at risk and trading patterns will be distorted," the food companies said.

There is considerable debate about whether the run-up in sugar prices is a sign of a looming crisis. Just a fraction of global sugar supplies is traded on international markets. And according to the USDA, the wholesale price of sugar in the United States has risen by just 15% from a year ago to a little under 35 cents a pound."

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LDS Dry Pack Cannery Pricing Changes

For those of you who live near an LDS Dry Pack Cannery, their prices will be going up as of January 16th. Check with your local Dry Pack Cannery to see when they are open, so you can go and take advantage of the lower prices before they go up! Most canneries are closed until January 5th, but check your local store and see if their times/openings are different.

The items that will be increasing in price are the following:

*Dry Powdered Milk 25lb. $35.40 (up $10 from before--stock up NOW before the 16th to get the AMAZINGLY low price of $24.80!!)

*Hard Red Wheat 25lb. $6.35 (up .45--not too bad, but why not save a few pennies)

Other items that will be higher from .45-$2.35 higher: pinto peans, sugar, oats, hot cocoa, fruit drink mix, and pancake mix. Stock up while prices are low!

Some good news..a few items will be going DOWN in price, they are the following:
black and white dried beans, rice (by $1.90--this is a GREAT deal!), macaroni, potato flakes (by $8--WOW, GREAT price!!!), and flour (flour still less expensive at Sam's Club and Costco).

Hope this update helps you get motivated to go and stock up before prices rise. OR..for those items that are less, wait and stock up when prices will be even lower--FUN!

**Just a reminder, most canneries do NOT mandate that you are LDS to purchase items at the cannery. Call your local dry pack cannery and find out what their policies are :)

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Last minute Christmas gift ideas

Many of us are looking for those last minute gift ideas to give family and friends. Why not give them a gift that will be practical and useful for the upcoming year. Here are a few gift ideas that are UNDER $20 that make great gifts or stocking stuffers:

Under $10
**Gift certificate to Deals to Meals! As low as $4.95..give your friends and family the gift of saving time and money!
*25lb. bag of wheat, beans, flour, sugar, or powdered milk
*Batteries and flashlights
*First aid items
*Backpacks (for 72 hour kits or car kits--fill them with a few basics and this makes a great gift!
*Basic food storage items (canned or boxed goods)
*Non-electric can opener
*Food storage cookbook or book on emergency preparedness
*Fire extinguisher
*Pocket knife
*Compass or small camping gear
*Mess kits

Under $20
*Small first aid kits
*Flashlights for the whole family
*Jumper cables
*Camping stoves or gear
*Fuel for your camp stoves or grills
*Water storage containers
*Spices and herbs
*Seeds for the garden
*Good quality blankets or sleeping bags
*Car kits
*Bottles/jars for canning
*Ammunition (for hunting or home safety)
*#10 cans of freeze dried foods that can be put in 72 hour kits or in your food storage

These are just a few of the MANY gift ideas that can help your family prepare for a 'rainy day'. There is nothing better than giving the gift of peace of mind. When our houses are in order and our families are taken care of..there is no greater feeling or gift in the world!

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Christmas Give-Away!

Would you like to win a ONE YEAR membership to Deals to Meals? We are hoping to brighten someones Christmas with this FREE membership.

How to enter? Visit the website www.crazibeautiful.com, click on the CBW GiveAway and then post your name and email address in the comment field. You can enter up to three times by following the instructions.

Good luck and happy holidays!

*They also have a delicious recipe for a Cranberry Salad on their site that looks amazing! I am making it tonight :)

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Gift Certificates- The Perfect Gift

This year give the gift that's not only FUN and unique, but also one that is practical and will save the person receiving the gift TIME and MONEY.
You can buy a gift certificate in any length of time ($4.95 for 1-month, $9.90 for 2-months, etc) but you can buy a 6-month for $28 and a 12-month for $55 (a month free).
You can buy certificates two different ways:
1-Send money via PayPal: With this option you can log-in to your PayPal account and click on the blue "Send Money" tab at the top of the page. On the next page enter payment@dealstomeals.com as the email, enter the dollar amount based on how long the certificate will be good for, and mark the "Goods" option and click "Continue"
2- Send a check: Make a check payable to "Deals to Meals" for the correct amount based on the length of the certificate you wish to purchase. Then mail the check to
Deals to Meals
5526 West 13400 South #502
Herriman, UT 84096
Once a payment has been sent, please send us the the name and email address for the individual(s) you purchased the gift certificate(s) for. We will use that information to create an account for them and will email you the gift certificate that will have their log-in information. Unless specified, the account will activate within 24 hours of the date payment is received.

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Delicious recipe for homemade toffee and sugar cookies on our blog www.dealstomeals.blogspot.com

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