Table 2.
Prices of Selected Foodsa in 90 Surveyed Food Stores, Project CAFE, Los Angeles, California, 2004-2006
| Food Category | Overall Mean Price, $ (Range) | Supermarket Mean Price, $ (Range) | Convenience/Liquor/Corner Store Mean Price, $ (Range) | Specialty Food Store Mean Price, $ (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grains | ||||
| Oatmeal/18 oz | 2.43 (0.98-5.12) | 2.00 (0.98-3.00) | 2.70 (1.39-5.12) | 2.38 (1.10-4.56) |
| Whole-wheat bread/24 oz loaf | 2.30 (0.99-3.35) | 2.19 (0.99-3.29) | 2.49 (1.79-3.35) | 2.20 (1.30-2.89) |
| Corn tortillas/12 oz taco size | 0.66 (0.29-2.59) | 0.66 (0.29-1.59) | 0.63 (0.29-2.59) | 0.66 (0.33-1.16) |
| Vegetables | ||||
| Carrots/lb | 0.49 (0.20-1.39) | 0.37 (0.20-0.50) | 0.52 (0.30-1.00) | 0.62 (0.33-1.39) |
| Lettuce/head | 0.75 (0.25-1.30) | 0.84 (0.39-1.29) | 0.70 (0.25-1.29) | 0.68 (0.45-1.30) |
| Potatoes/5 lb | 1.57 (0.37-3.95) | 1.91 (0.75-3.95) | 1.66 (0.37-3.45) | 1.91 (0.37-3.45) |
| Fruit | ||||
| Apples/lb | 0.63 (0.22-1.00) | 0.57 (0.33-0.99) | 0.69 (0.22-1.00) | 0.59 (0.50-0.69) |
| Oranges/lb | 0.47 (0.11-1.99) | 0.59 (0.20-1.99) | 0.38 (0.20-0.70) | 0.41 (0.11-0.89) |
| Avocados/each | 0.91 (0.33-1.75) | 0.68 (0.33-1.25) | 1.01 (0.50-1.75) | 1.07 (0.50-1.50) |
| Dairy | ||||
| Low-fat (2%) milk/gallon | 3.17 (2.25-4.50) | 3.00 (2.25-3.49) | 3.26 (2.25-4.50) | 3.14 (2.49-3.95) |
| Cheddar cheese/lb | 4.39 (1.60-9.16) | 3.50 (1.60-5.69) | 4.94 (2.25-9.16) | 4.44 (3.59-5.13) |
| Meat and meat alternatives | ||||
| Chicken legs/lb | 1.18 (0.39-2.39) | 1.30 (0.39-2.39) | 1.87 (0.79-1.99) | 1.26 (0.79-1.99) |
| Beef/lb | 2.38 (1.39-3.29) | 2.34 (1.39-3.29) | 2.43 (1.99-2.99) | NAb |
| Eggs/dozen | 1.54 (0.40-2.99) | 1.61 (0.79-2.59) | 1.49 (0.40-2.29) | 1.62 (1.00-2.99) |
| Pinto beans/lb | 1.02 (0.44-3.49) | 0.95 (0.38-1.69) | 1.02 (0.44-3.49) | 1.10 (0.69-3.00) |
Abbreviations: CAFE, Community Action for Food Environments; NA, not assessed.
a
Selected from the US Department of Agriculture Thrifty Food Plan (21) and community input on ethnic specialty foods.
b
Fewer than 5 specialty food stores offered beef.