Posted by happypanda on Oct 09, 2007 · Member since Jan 2007 · 324 posts
I would say because companies know vegetarians/vegans don't always have a lot of options and so will pay more for certain things. Stick to mostly non-prepackaged food (fruits, veggies, grains, beans) and being a vegetarian is cheap!
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Posted by yabbitgirl on Oct 09, 2007 · Member since Apr 2006 · 14266 posts
Also a lot goes to supply and demand. In Spain veg*ns are a very small segment of the population so special foods are available in a v. limited number of HFS. Two of them are chains, so they call the shots. "You want it bad enough, you'll pay for it." Two, count em, TWO little veggie burgers are like $3.50 in this city--not even 6 ounces for both of them together!! That works out to something like $12 a pound. Ergo I have never eaten one.
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Posted by Anonymous on Oct 09, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
Also a lot goes to supply and demand. In Spain veg*ns are a very small segment of the population so special foods are available in a v. limited number of HFS. Two of them are chains, so they call the shots. "You want it bad enough, you'll pay for it." Two, count em, TWO little veggie burgers are like $3.50 in this city--not even 6 ounces for both of them together!! That works out to something like $12 a pound. Ergo I have never eaten one.
Posted by feelinsoreal on Oct 09, 2007 · Member since Feb 2007 · 623 posts
Yeah, I've found that veggie food just requires shopping around and buying more of the non-processed stuff. It also helps to buy in bulk - you can get stuff like rice, lentils, quinoa, dry beans, etc for really cheap that way. Some HFS's will also have things like chili and soup mixes in the bulk aisle, which is nice.
In my travels I've found that for packaged veg-friendly foods, places like Kroger usually have better deals; but for bulk items and things like tofu, Whole Foods is usually better in price. And always look for house brands.
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Posted by yabbitgirl on Oct 09, 2007 · Member since Apr 2006 · 14266 posts
Due to the chain thing, v. few products are sold in bulk, and only at the chains. Sigh. Like some spices, garbanzos and other beans...but nothing fun like mixes. Poor me! :D
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Posted by Anonymous on Oct 09, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
A lot of the prepared vegan food that I buy is made by much smaller companies than the non-vegan alternative. You have to factor in the fact that their cost to make the product is much higher than Kraft or Nestle.
Say that again. I got a feeling what your saying here but I want to hear it again.
Posted by Ecstatic on Oct 09, 2007 · Member since Jul 2007 · 531 posts
Also, because vegan/vegetarian food caters to health conscious people ... organic is usually the option available. At least in my area. So, that jacks up the price even more. A lot of the companies are also concerned with sustainability and fair trade. Again, that jacks up the price too. So, you're not just paying for the food but for fair practices in terms of labor. Which is a good thing. Albeit, more expensive.
Plus, vegan/vegetarian foods are really still "specialty" foods. Those types of foods are always more expensive than the 78 cents a pound chicken legs.
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Posted by feelinsoreal on Oct 09, 2007 · Member since Feb 2007 · 623 posts
I've actually found that being vegetarian is overall cheaper than being an omnivore. A pound of tofu is way cheaper than a pound of decent-quality meat (if that even exists, hee hee). What is usually cheaper is processed or convenience food for meat-eaters, which isn't really a healthy staple in anyone's diet. I usually spend between $15-$20 at Whole Foods each week, and that's mostly because I have to buy fresh fruits and veggies every time I go along with any other groceries I may need. But veggie items like TVP, tofu, seitan, lentils, pasta, canned beans ... all way cheaper than meat as far as entrees and such, especially if you can get the dry items in bulk. It just involves some planning, comparing prices, and of course, coupon clipping. ;D
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Posted by yabbitgirl on Oct 09, 2007 · Member since Apr 2006 · 14266 posts
That's why I like VegWeb...all those good recipes that don't require a box of this and a can of that special product which a) isn't available here and b) I can't afford if they are.
Soysage is like $12 a pound! Aaagh! But I've learned a lot about spices and stuff from this site.
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Posted by feelinsoreal on Oct 09, 2007 · Member since Feb 2007 · 623 posts
That's why I like VegWeb...all those good recipes that don't require a box of this and a can of that special product which a) isn't available here and b) I can't afford if they are.
Agreed. I definitely prefer this website to various cookbooks which seem to think I have instant access to gourmet ingredients that I can't even pronounce, let alone afford.
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Posted by Anonymous on Oct 09, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
Hmmm... I've found being vegetarian and eating natural foods to be much more expensive... and most of the reasons have already been listed.
The marginal cost goes down as the number of items produced goes up, because the fixed costs (capital expenditures, land, etc.) can be distributed over a larger number of items. Furthermore, the economies of scale come into play when you pit... General Mills against your typical natural food producer.
On top of that, there's the whole niche market thing. People who are vegetarians/vegans care about their health more than others. As a result... good food has higher value to us, thus we're more willing to pay a higher price. AND... there's not as much competition in the veg*n business... competition amongst producers is good for consumers, because it pushes prices down.
depends on the store it seems
I can get my tempeh cheaper at one place, but it has more expensive nutritional yeast
I would say because companies know vegetarians/vegans don't always have a lot of options and so will pay more for certain things. Stick to mostly non-prepackaged food (fruits, veggies, grains, beans) and being a vegetarian is cheap!
Also a lot goes to supply and demand. In Spain veg*ns are a very small segment of the population so special foods are available in a v. limited number of HFS. Two of them are chains, so they call the shots. "You want it bad enough, you'll pay for it." Two, count em, TWO little veggie burgers are like $3.50 in this city--not even 6 ounces for both of them together!! That works out to something like $12 a pound. Ergo I have never eaten one.
Also a lot goes to supply and demand. In Spain veg*ns are a very small segment of the population so special foods are available in a v. limited number of HFS. Two of them are chains, so they call the shots. "You want it bad enough, you'll pay for it." Two, count em, TWO little veggie burgers are like $3.50 in this city--not even 6 ounces for both of them together!! That works out to something like $12 a pound. Ergo I have never eaten one.
ooo 2 for 3.50. That's bad.
Yeah, I've found that veggie food just requires shopping around and buying more of the non-processed stuff. It also helps to buy in bulk - you can get stuff like rice, lentils, quinoa, dry beans, etc for really cheap that way. Some HFS's will also have things like chili and soup mixes in the bulk aisle, which is nice.
In my travels I've found that for packaged veg-friendly foods, places like Kroger usually have better deals; but for bulk items and things like tofu, Whole Foods is usually better in price. And always look for house brands.
Due to the chain thing, v. few products are sold in bulk, and only at the chains. Sigh. Like some spices, garbanzos and other beans...but nothing fun like mixes. Poor me! :D
A lot of the prepared vegan food that I buy is made by much smaller companies than the non-vegan alternative. You have to factor in the fact that their cost to make the product is much higher than Kraft or Nestle.
Say that again. I got a feeling what your saying here but I want to hear it again.
Also, because vegan/vegetarian food caters to health conscious people ... organic is usually the option available. At least in my area. So, that jacks up the price even more. A lot of the companies are also concerned with sustainability and fair trade. Again, that jacks up the price too. So, you're not just paying for the food but for fair practices in terms of labor. Which is a good thing. Albeit, more expensive.
Plus, vegan/vegetarian foods are really still "specialty" foods. Those types of foods are always more expensive than the 78 cents a pound chicken legs.
I've actually found that being vegetarian is overall cheaper than being an omnivore. A pound of tofu is way cheaper than a pound of decent-quality meat (if that even exists, hee hee). What is usually cheaper is processed or convenience food for meat-eaters, which isn't really a healthy staple in anyone's diet. I usually spend between $15-$20 at Whole Foods each week, and that's mostly because I have to buy fresh fruits and veggies every time I go along with any other groceries I may need. But veggie items like TVP, tofu, seitan, lentils, pasta, canned beans ... all way cheaper than meat as far as entrees and such, especially if you can get the dry items in bulk. It just involves some planning, comparing prices, and of course, coupon clipping. ;D
That's why I like VegWeb...all those good recipes that don't require a box of this and a can of that special product which a) isn't available here and b) I can't afford if they are.
Soysage is like $12 a pound! Aaagh! But I've learned a lot about spices and stuff from this site.
That's why I like VegWeb...all those good recipes that don't require a box of this and a can of that special product which a) isn't available here and b) I can't afford if they are.
Agreed. I definitely prefer this website to various cookbooks which seem to think I have instant access to gourmet ingredients that I can't even pronounce, let alone afford.
Hmmm... I've found being vegetarian and eating natural foods to be much more expensive... and most of the reasons have already been listed.
The marginal cost goes down as the number of items produced goes up, because the fixed costs (capital expenditures, land, etc.) can be distributed over a larger number of items. Furthermore, the economies of scale come into play when you pit... General Mills against your typical natural food producer.
On top of that, there's the whole niche market thing. People who are vegetarians/vegans care about their health more than others. As a result... good food has higher value to us, thus we're more willing to pay a higher price. AND... there's not as much competition in the veg*n business... competition amongst producers is good for consumers, because it pushes prices down.
I never thought of it that way.