Every now and then, Shardriata More gets a Subway coupon in the mail, knowing she won't have to worry about her next three meals.
“I get a $7.99 foot-long and have them cut it into three pieces,” the retiree told me.
Moore, who was eating lunch at Sherman Oaks East Valley Senior Center, said she went to Subway to order a chicken sandwich on a whole-grain bun, with spinach, cucumber and tomato. That way, you get some protein and at least a few fresh vegetables without a trip to the grocery store, where inflation can be a killer.
On a limited budget, “it's hard to eat healthy,” Moore said.
California is about to be hit by an aging population, and Steve Lopez is riding it. His column focuses on the blessings and burdens of aging — and how some people challenge the stigma associated with being older.
Anne Bicanza, another retiree, was all in and happy to share her cost-cutting strategies, one of which is taking advantage of the free daily lunch at the senior center. The offering on Thursday was chicken, brown rice, fresh vegetables and fruit.
Chardriatta Moore, 67, left, and Anne Picanza, in her 70s, search for bargains on bargain racks at a market in Sherman Oaks.
(Gennaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
When she goes grocery shopping, it's not as simple as taking the bus to one store and filling a basket, Bicanza said. She hops from store to store, coupons in hand, searching for deals as if she were searching for treasure.
“It's hard, and I have to buy things I'm not used to,” Picanza said. “I used to enjoy buying a piece of meat in the wings, but now, what can you do? I still want meat, so I buy these meat patties, for $1.49.
According to the American Association of Retired Persons, food insecurity among seniors is on the rise, and “one in ten seniors is at risk of hunger.” The Consumer Price Index, compiled monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, indicates a slight improvement in supermarket inflation, but prices are still up about 25% over the past four years. In January this year, the prices of sugar, oil, fruits and vegetables rose slightly, bakery products fell slightly, and the prices of meat, fish, poultry and eggs stabilized.
Even with signs that inflation is falling, it is a major theme of the presidential campaign, and those with fixed incomes are particularly hard hit by rising utility, housing and food costs.
Of course, when it comes to grocery prices, the president can't just wave a wand at the checkout counter. Inflation is linked to rising labor costs, continued supply chain disruptions after the pandemic, bird flu, and the impact of extreme weather – heatwaves, wildfires and floods – on global food production.
So prices go up and down, for the most part, and none of the changes have escaped the notice of the seniors I've talked to over the past few days. At Fonz's in Eagle Rock, Sylvia Millis and Vernon Bowman got a hunk of tri-tip, a cheaper cut of meat, and thought about some fresh fruit, considering the prices.
“I watch the prices, because we have other things to pay for,” said Melis, a retired teacher. “We installed a whole new gas line last month, and the month before that, a whole new water line. You're never quite sure what's going to happen.”
Kris Jane had a package of ground beef in her cart, with a 30% off sticker on it.
Shardreata Moore visits a senior center during the week where she can get a free meal. “It's tough on the weekends,” Moore says.
(Gennaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
“I shop the specials and use the club card,” said Jain, who is no novice when it comes to collecting coupons. “Oh, I used to be the queen. Remember when they had double coupons?”
When she retired several years ago after spending more than 40 years booking tickets and subscriptions at downtown Los Angeles arts venues, Jane said, she was in good financial shape.
“Not now,” she said. “Inflation has outpaced pension and Social Security. I stand here and shake my head most of my visits to the grocery store.”
For thousands of low- and moderate-income seniors, food offerings at centers run by Valley InterCommunity Council (VIC) are a lifeline. In partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Aging, free, healthy, hot lunches are provided Monday through Friday at the Sherman Oaks East Valley location and the Alicia Broadous-Duncan Senior Multipurpose Center in Pacoima.
Vic also distributes care packages from the Los Angeles Food Bank, delivering them to homebound seniors, and connecting clients with the state's CalFresh program, which provides monthly stipends for nutritious food in supermarkets.
Women who are “single centenarians” are particularly hard hit by inflation, said Beverly Fentress, president and CEO of the Vic. They often outlive their husbands, who take their pensions to the grave. Traditionally, women are paid less than men, so their retirement benefits often fall short.
“Basically, I don't shop. Eating out is cheaper for me,” said Mary Green at Pacoima Center, explaining that she gets meals for as low as $5 with coupons from Burger King, Carl's Jr. and Panda Express. “I live “On my own, it's cheaper for me not to use the facilities, and I won't have to mess up the kitchen.”
She knows this is not the healthiest way to eat, but she gets balanced meals at the senior center. A tight budget is a tight budget.
“My gas bill is killing me,” said Sarah Guerrero, a regular visitor to the Pacoima Center. “I had to give up cooking those delicious pork chops. They're so expensive now.”
Gail Martin, who worked the front desk at the senior center, told me there were two nutrients that kept her alive.
“I eat a lot of cereals, I'm not going to lie,” she said, explaining that the brand's cereals — “not real Cheerios” — have replaced meat for her at lunch and dinner. “And I eat cups of soup, cups of pasta. I eat those a lot.
At Sherman Oaks Center, Moore said she was hurt by a rent increase from $1,190 to $1,400 a month. With free lunches only on weekdays, she does not eat three meals on weekends. Bicanza said she is handling the mortgage on her apartment, but is being pressured by high homeowners association fees.
When Moore and Bicanza finished lunch, they got into my car and we headed to the nearby Ralph's store to see what was on sale. Just inside the front door, they went straight to a section of large boxes filled with discounted goods. Ken's Steak House Salad Dressing is marked down from $3.49 to $2.49. Classic pasta sauce is down by $1 to $1.99 per jar. Regularly priced at $2.79, Progresso soup was $1.79.
Chardriatta Moore, left, and Anne Picanza leave the market with some of their deals.
(Gennaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
“You should check the dates,” Moore said, examining the box. She also found some salmon and ground beef at a discount, reminding us that the older you get, the lower the price.
Savvy shoppers are also checking for what's known as deflation, the deceptive trend called for by President Biden in his State of the Union address, to keep prices level while skimping on what's in the bag.
In the store's produce section, Bicanza was disappointed that the price of a large bag of refrigerated broccoli she had bought for $5.99 had risen to $6.50.
In another aisle, she picked up a loaf of sliced whole-grain bread, checked the price and frowned.
“This is not for sale, it's $3.29,” she said. “But this is the bread I love.”
Bicanza said she might ask the manager to tag her.
“She will, too,” Moore said.
Picanza checked the store for help. Fighting inflation is not for the faint of heart. The equity gap is getting wider, and you have to pretend you don't know you live in the strongest economy in the world and keep moving forward.
Steve.lopez@latimes.com
