Escalating cost of seafood

Last week we sent our cook-kasambahay to the wet market near us, with P900 to buy seafood, thinking that, minus her tricycle fare, she would still bring home at least three kinds of fish. No, she came back with a salmon head and a small (about 400 gms) lapulapu. The former cost P430, the lapu-lapu P300, plus she bought vegetables, all for a total of more than P700. For a one-dish home-cooked meal, that was expensive.

The irony of it is that the day after, we got a flyer from the supermarket near our house which tagged salmon head at P98 a kilo, meaning that would certainly cost less than what we paid. We felt cheated. Nothing we can do about that except maybe avoid going to that

palengke again. In some cases, it is better to shop in supermarkets. They get supplies in bulk, compared to the vendors. Thus their cost is less. Chicken, for instance, is tagged less in supermarkets.

The homemaker is more challenged now that price of foodstuff has gone up. One way to save money is to be conservative in preparing meals. Pay attention to your family’s normal food consumption. Pay attention to the quantity of food you need to prepare. You must guard against left overs. Not all food stays good after being in the ref. The new school year has started. This means

baon food for the young schoolers. When preparing the snack/lunch box, do not overload it. Food with sauces are not recommended. They could spill. Also, for the younger ones, solids like chicken and meat must be sliced before putting them in the lunch box.

Consider the food they like. It is best to give them what they are likely to enjoy and finish. When they get home, check the box if all has been consumed.

This is the “homework” of all mothers now – to make sure their kids eat well (and healthy) even away from home. It will be best to plan a weekly baon schedule.

So that’s another chore for the mamas.