In the middle ages only royalty and wealthy merchants ate meat. It was well beyond the reach of the average person, unless you could catch a pigeon or a cat now and then to throw into the pot.

Let's see if this helps. Looking for more and better info...

https://www.infoplease.com/business-finance/us-economy-and-federal-budget/retail-prices-selected-foods-us-cities-1890-2015

It has definitely gone up, just wondering how it has kept pace with wages. I seem to be willing to spend money on vegetables even though they are more expensive, but I balk at higher meat prices. Maybe that's a good thing.

I might be eating my words on Monday. Doesn't look like a really significant spike if I am seeing it correctly.

Many years ago, I saw a chart that showed how much time the average wage earner would have to work to afford a loaf of bread, a TV, a gallon of gas, or several other products. I really hoped to find something like that again, but I couldn't. I would have made the comparison a lot easier to see that the average wage earner would have to work 9.5 minutes in 1970 and 9 minutes in 2010, for example. It seemed that a chart like that was the sort of thing you needed.

I appreciate it. I think the bottom line is that food overall is more expensive for most of us compared to our wages. I definitely feel like my grocery budget takes a much bigger bite out of my paycheck than it used to.

but I have read that food in general is much cheaper in relation to wages than it was say in the '50's or '60's.

leaving on their own because of Trump's policies. Without cheap labor, food prices will most certainly go up.

in 1948.....
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-first-mcdonalds-burger-stand-2014-9
"....They later shut it down and reopened it in 1948, with a pared-down menu of just nine items, including hamburgers (15 cents) cheeseburgers (19 cents) and drinks, such as coffee, Coca-Cola, and Orangeade, for 10 cents.

Here's a picture of the stand from 1948 that we found in AP's archives:


In 1954, the stand caught the attention of Ray Kroc, an Illinois businessman who sold milkshake mixers.".....

... now not so much.

Sometimes it seems for us single people that it's almost cheaper eating out. At least in a city.

In 1987 Round Steak was $2.93 per pound...I got if for $2.53 per pound today on sale at Sparkles. So yes I think considering how much wages have gone up, meat is cheaper. But I think it depends on the area. Georgia was very expensive for groceries...Ohio is much cheaper.

https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2014/article/one-hundred-years-of-price-change-the-consumer-price-index-and-the-american-inflation-experience.htm

which are notoriously expensive. I have occasionally shopped at markets in Maine where my sister lives and I am shocked at how much cheaper food is. I will often stock up on non-perishables and lug them back on the train.

I was shocked at how expensive groceries were in the Bronx. Connecticut is not known for cheap living but our prices were much lower. I love Boston and Maine. I envy you . I miss the East coast and areas where you could walk instead of driving. I am in Ohio now and hour out of Pittsburgh. We can practically walk to PA and it has an eastern feel, but nothing beats New England.

never seen anyone carrying a gun - ever! I used to live in San Francisco, but there is something about the beauty of New England and the northeast that I just missed so much. I think it's such a beautiful part of the country up here. Hopefully you will get a chance to visit again soon!

I will visit him soon and in the fall...be a 'leaf' peeper. Promised my daughter to take her to Boston...looking into grad school

If she gets in that will give you an excuse to visit more often! The southern Maine coast is lovely too and only a day trip from Boston.

ending up in a college somewhere...being a professor. Although, there is a new boy....nice kid. I guess I should say man...although they seem like children to me. Of course I would have been very insulted at their age to have been called a child.

And I get beef under $3.00 per pound. I have gotten London Broil for $2.99 per pound...I buy on sale and freeze. Also, I go to Giant Eagle when they have their buy one get one round or chuck roasts and have them grind it...it is so fresh this way and way cheaper.

She's probably right, but maybe I just shop at the wrong stores.

that is a possibility.

Use prices for beef brisket, chicken wings and bacon-all three have soared dramatically over time.