This is a really interesting discussion. Yes, I've noticed groceries are getting v expensive and large corporations are using all the tricks so that consumers pay more for less... Or fancy packaging etc etc. Take western star butter for example. It is now about five bucks for 500g. At aldi, the exact same product, made on the same machine in the same factory, using milk from the same local cows under the lable beautifully butterfly is about half the price.
I've posted somewhere before that I'm in process of setting up an Australian bulk food business with help from my Victorian farm contacts. Next week I will have confirmation re suppliers of red lentils, flour, rolled oats, cereal mixes, and some other things in 10 and 25kilo bags. I will deliver to Melbourne once a month, maybe to monthly meeting if possible. It is works, I will supply fresh produce too such as fruit, veg, nuts, butter, milk etc etc.
For those who are interested, pm me with products you are interested in and quantities. Some will be organic, some won't but all will be from Victorian producers at this stage and supporting Aussie farmers.
Today was another sad day for farmers etc when Heinz was closed and moved off shore so that it can now use cheaper, o/s grown tomatoes.