I remember that buying powdered milk really helped save my butt grocery budget-wise when I was unemployed back in the late 2000’s. But now, it’s actually MORE expensive— $3.43 for a box of powdered milk that makes 3 quarts vs. $3.46 for a gallon of fresh milk (which is 4 quarts). !!!!!!!!! WTF 😳 …..
(btw, like in June, a gallon of milk was like $3.03, so WTAF there, too??? 😠)
When did powdered milk become not-so-frugal??
byu/ArcherFew2069 inFrugal
Posted by ArcherFew2069
4 Comments
It’s frugal if you don’t really go through milk. Sometimes i have trouble using a quart before it goes bad, so powdered milk comes in clutch for a box of mac and cheese or a random recipe.
It started being used more during the pandemic.
Plus, you have always had prepper’s and people who grew up keeping it on hand for an Emergency.
With all the Natural and man made disasters we have faced the last 5 years it got more expensive due to higher demand.
I buy the box with the pouches and I cut a slit on the side of pouch vacuum seal it. I write date of sealing on bag. Put in food grade bucket. I have used it up to 2 years past Expired date.
But everything has went sky high last 5 years. I budget every month- basically it’s one month I stock up on food. Next month hygiene supplies, next month cleaning supplies etc I rotate where I need to it helps a lot.
It has to be NON FAT MILK – the whole milk powder has fats in it that make it go rancid quicker.
Powdered milk prices are climbing because global demand has surged while available supply is tight. This is largely due to factors impacting milk production, such as falling US milk production and herd sizes because of high feed and energy costs, drought, and seasonal drops. Furthermore, some milk is being diverted into higher-value products like cheese and butter, leaving fewer milk solids available for drying. This is all happening against a backdrop of low inventories, strong export markets, and higher shipping and input costs, with market speculation amplifying these price movements. I can’t recall the last time I bought powdered milk for other than baking purposes. Meanwhile, liquid milk receives subsidies and the demand is fairly steady, so they can sell for less in comparison.
Oh, also OP, the powdered milk may not be as healthy. Compounds made when it is exposed to drying techniques (acrylamides) may be carcinogenic. And there are other ussues too. Unless you’re in an incredibly remote area, better to just freeze it. Don’t trust me on that look them all up.