Price of fritz a stark illustration of cost-of-living pressures on families

Fritz has always been a cheap-as-chips sandwich filler but its price has soared. Is fritz still on the menu at your place?

It has many alter egos — devon, fritz, polony — but there’s always been one ­constant with the humble manufactured meat roll: it was cheap as chips.

Now, in an unsavoury — and perhaps the most telling — example of cost-of-living pressures gone mad, the price of the classic school lunch box staple has hit nearly $10 per kilo, just as parents are stocking up on supplies for the new school year.

At Woolworths this week, sliced Hans fritz is being advertised at $9.85/kg, and it is $9.60/kg at Coles.

It’s a far cry from the luncheon meat’s heyday. In the ’70s and ’80s it was snapped up by budget-conscious shoppers for just $99c a kilo, and often slapped on to a white bread sanger with a dash of tomato sauce for the kids’ school lunch.

The current sky-high price of the perennial product sparked outrage on the “Meanwhile in Australia” Facebook page this week, as families felt the pinch of price rises across the board.

Eight-year-old Lachie tucks into a fritz and tomato sauce sandwich. Picture: Tim Hunter

Krisi, from Lake Macquarie, wrote: “My kids love fritz. I remember buying $2 worth and it being a huge pile.”

For Davina, it was the perfect cheap eat in a time of need: “Back in the early ’90s my husband and I lived on that for three days as we were saving for our first home and had no money until payday.”

Queenslander Sandra remembered buying fritz and tomato sauce rolls at tuckshop for threepence, while fellow Queenslander Courtney labelled it “the bogan sandwich”.

“I used to get sent to the corner store for 20 cents worth of fritz. Enough slices for the whole family (four kids) sandwiches for several days,” said Melbourne resident Susan.

Not everyone’s a fan, with many on the site likening it to dog food, even “floor scrapings”, but one Sydney manufacturer says it doesn’t always deserve the bad rap.

Is there a better combo than fritz and tomato sauce? Picture: Tim Hunter

Pendle Hill Ham and Bacon business manager Sunny Singh said high-quality fritz was manufactured on site, and sold in slices at the associated meat market.

“The price of products like fritz are increasing and that’s because most other costs are rising — labour costs, the price of ingredients, even the clips we hang products with are more expensive,” he said.

“However, as manufacturers our products are a lot cheaper than elsewhere — at the moment we’re selling fritz for $6.99 a kilo.

“Most people want sliced fritz, not the whole roll, but it’s not as popular as it once was.”

Food inflation is a major issue for families.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed last week that Australia’s inflation rate was 7.3 per cent, and that food and non-alcoholic beverages increased 9.4 per cent in the 12 months from November 2021.

Australian Retailers Association chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown said tackling inflation and the rising cost of food required a whole-of-government approach, in collaboration with industry.

“Fritz, like a range of other foods, is at the mercy of current economic pressures,” Ms Brown said.

Paediatric dietitian Karina Savage — with her children, Sophie, 10, and Lachie, 8 — is not a huge fan of devon. Picture: Tim Hunter

“Farmers are under increased pressure from a range of forces, and some have been forced to reduce the size of their herds or even leave the industry as a result.

“This causes supply issues and drives up the final price of the product.”

Some factors driving inflated food costs included recent natural disasters and dramatic weather events, increased ­labour costs and rising ­energy prices.

“Most of these factors are beyond the control of farmers and retailers,” Ms Brown said.

Sydney paediatric dietitian Karina Savage, who runs Tricky Little Tummies, said in the current economic climate parents shouldn’t try to create Instagram-worthy lunch boxes.

“There’s a lot of pressure on parents on how a lunch box should present,” she said.

“But forget about Instagram-style lunch boxes, ­getting back to basics isn’t a bad thing and makes it more affordable.

“Buying in bulk and portioning out items yourself can cut costs — and the environment.

“Fresh fruit and vegetables are increasingly expensive, so choose fruit that’s in season and think about buying vegetables like corn and roasted capsicum in cans and jars.

“I’m actually not the biggest fan of processed meats like fritz — a cheese and grated carrot; chicken, lettuce and mayo; curried egg; or a tuna sandwich all include healthier protein options.

“Some kids don’t like salad added to their sandwiches but if you put veg on the side — chopped up carrot or cucumber or snow peas — they’ll be more likely to eat them.”

Ms Savage said a piece of fruit, a frozen yoghurt pouch, homemade muffins and popcorn were great snack options — and there was nothing wrong with the occasional sweet treat.

“With the cost of many food products increasing, it’s a good time to think about planning ahead and how you can make little changes that make a big difference,” she said.

“Parents and carers prepare lunch boxes around 40 weeks of the year, so any savings can help.”

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