SA cost of living: How grocery prices have changed in 10 years

HOW much have your household expenses changed since 2008? We’ve crunched the numbers to produce a series of fascinating infographics showing dramatic changes over the past decade to the cost of living in SA. So what prices are up, which products have become more affordable — and is fast food really as cheap as you think?

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A LOT can change in 10 years. A decade ago, the iPhone was barely six months old, Barack Obama had just won his presidency and Britney Spears (remember her?) released her comeback album Circus after a horror 12 months.

But what about everyday life?

Over the next week, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail will take a look at how the cost of living has changed in South Australia over the past 10 years in our Decade of Difference series.

Prices have changed dramatically across many industries — and the simple grocery shop is no exception.

Fast food is no longer the cheap option many assume it is.

Figures provided to the Sunday Mail from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the cost of take away food is up 35.9 per cent and restaurant meals have increased by 29.7 per cent.

The price rises compare to an overall CPI inflation of 25.1 per cent for the same time frame.

In contrast, fresh produce has risen by much smaller amounts – remaining under CPI.

Scroll across to see how grocery prices have changed in the past 10 years

Our grocery bills have gone up — but prices have come down on some items.

Vegetables have risen by just 13.7 per cent, fruit is up 15.2 per cent and fish and seafood is up 19.6 per cent on 10 years ago.

Even beef and lamb, typically considered as expensive, haven’t risen as quickly or as high as fast food – beef is up 28.4 per cent while lamb has risen 22.5 per cent.

Pork has risen more conservatively at 10.3 per cent while chicken has actually fallen in price, by 4.2 per cent.

And the cost of chicken is not the only price to dip.

Milk has fallen in price in the past 10 years – by 7.4 per cent – and eggs have risen only slightly at 1.4 per cent.

Even bread has increased significantly below the overall CPI, at just 10.5 per cent.

Adelaide dietitian and nutritionist Tania Ferraretto says many people mistakenly believe fresh produce is more expensive than fast food.

“Many healthy foods are actually cheaper,” the founder of Glynde-based Happy Healthy Me says.

“There is no need to go for trendy, exclusive ingredients, just (look for) good old-fashioned favourites that won’t burn a hole in your pocket the family will love.”

Her advice is to look for what is in season.

“Choose seasonal fruit and vegetables,” she advises.

“These are cheaper, have better nutritional value and taste great because they are fresh, (haven’t been) stored for months or transported from elsewhere in the world.”

And she says keep the pantry well-stocked with basics to build healthy, quick meals at home.

“(Have) staples that can be used to throw together a quick meal – rice, pasta, legumes, tinned fish, eggs and wholegrain bread,” she says.

Leonni Mazomenos likes to have supplies ready to make quick, healthy meals for her daughters Tiana and Chloe. Picture: Calum Robertson

Magill mum-of-two Leonni Mazomenos agrees.

Her eldest daughter, 14-year-old Tiana, is a keen netballer, soccer player and swimmer – and also does ballet.

It means the family is often not home after training or games until 7.30pm.

“I try to look for things that are quick and healthy … anything to get dinner on the table quickly,” she said.

“So, I tend to do a lot of stir fry vegetables with a bit of protein on the side. With a stir fry, there’s not a lot of preparing and it’s so quick to cook.

“I actually find it can be quicker than going through a drive-through on you way home … for me, the trick is making sure I’ve got something ready to go at home.”

She says the family does have takeaway but tries to limit it to once a fortnight.

Cooking at home doesn’t have to take too long.

Fast food to make at home

LEADING Adelaide dietitian and nutritionist Tania Ferraretto has come up with four quick, easy and affordable fast foods to make at home the family will love, for readers of The Advertiser.

“These quick meal ideas are healthier and cheaper than the take away alternatives,” she says.

HOMEMADE PIZZA

Using wholemeal pita bread as a base, tomato passata, grated mozzarella cheese, lean meat and vegetables of choice (try capsicum, mushrooms and baby spinach).

Serve with a side salad.

Cost (from Coles)

Bazaar wholemeal pita (six pieces) — $4.60

Coles Italian Passata — $1.70

Coles grated mozzarella — $3.50

Coles 100g English ham — $1.80

TOTAL — $11.60

BAKED TUNA MORNAY POTATOES

Top baked potatoes with a mix of tuna in spring water, creamed corn (no added salt) and grated cheese.

Serve with a side salad.

Cost (from Woolworths)

1kg Woolworths brand fresh potatoes — $3.50

185g Safcol tuna in spring water — $2

Edgell creamed corn — $1

Woolworths 250g light tasty grated cheese — $3.50

TOTAL — $10

Adelaide nutritionist Tania Ferratto shares her tips for healthy — and affordable — eating. Picture: Supplied

STIR-FRY

Soak rice noodles or hoiken noodles in a bowl of boiling water.

Chop up a mixture of vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, capsicum, mushrooms, peas, corn, carrot and cook in a hot pan.

Make a quick omelet while the vegetables are cooking, chop the omelet into small pieces, toss into the pan with vegetables, add some chopped lean ham and season with salt reduced soy sauce

Drain the water from the noodles and toss these through, mixing well. Add chilli or other sauces to taste.

Hint: To make this recipe more quickly, pre-chop vegetables or have a frozen stir-fry vegetable mix on hand. Frozen vegetables have been shown to be a healthy choice as they are snap frozen when fresh.

Cost (Drakes Foodland)

Fantastic Hokkien noodles (450g) — $1.99

Birds’ Eye stir-fry supreme frozen vegetables (850g) — $5.34

Rohdes Clare Valley large eggs (6) — $2.93

Regal Thai stir-fry sauce — $2.82

TOTAL — $13.08

HOMEMADE BURGERS

Buy some skinless chicken breast or lean beef burgers, grill and place in a toasted wholegrain bun with lots of salad and mayo or tomato sauce.

Cost (Coles)

Coles chicken breast fillets (1.3kg) — $11.70

Lunch rolls (four pack) — $2.80

Iceberg lettuce — $1.50

Vine ripened tomatoes (200g) — $3.50

TOTAL — $19.50

A McDonald’s meal. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

FAST FOOD COSTS

McDonald’s family McValue Box

Two large burgers, two small burgers, family-size fries and four small drinks — $19.95

Hungry Jack’s family Value Bundle

Two whoppers, two cheeseburgers, two large chips, four medium drinks — $24.95

KFC family burger box

Four burgers, two large chips, 1.25L drink — $19.95

Dominos

The Big Ham and Pineapple pizza — $17.95 (pick up)