Cheer cheese selling for $17 at Aussie supermarkets amid cost of living increases
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A 36-slice pack of cheese was recently spotted on Australian supermarket shelves for $17, as families are hit with cost-of-living pressures ahead of Christmas.
The 750 gram family pack of Cheer Cheese Slices was advertised for $17.55 as seen in a photo shared by former Seven News host Jacqui Felgate.
‘Is this how much cheese costs now?’ she wrote.
While it’s unclear where the slices were sold, Coles recently sold the same package of the Cheer dairy product for $17.55 in November.
Their website now shows that the product is down to $14.00.
The 750 gram family pack of Cheer Cheese Slices was advertised for $17.55, as seen in a photo shared by former Seven News anchor Jacqui Felgate.
Woolworths also sells the Cheer 36-slice pack for $14.00, while Aldi doesn’t stock it.
Many of Ms Felgate’s supporters said they had seen dairy prices soar in recent months, while others pointed to the difficulties farmers were facing.
One shopper said he saw a 2-ounce block of Devondale Tasty cheese for $11.
“Dairy farming is a declining industry as most farmers love their animals but never pay us a decent price for milk,” said one.
‘Our grocery bill has gone up at least 30 percent in 2 years. That’s not fancy stuff either. It’s exhausting having to constantly re-budget,” another commented.
“And that’s why no one can afford life anymore, interest rates go up, groceries are a joke,” said a third.
Cheer cheese, formerly known as Coon, suffered a big drop in sales after its rebranding with the layoff of 75 workers in November.
In July 2021, Australian cheese brand Coon, then 90 years old, changed its name to Cheer after a campaign claimed the old name was racist, as the word ‘coon’ is an insult against people of color.
The owner of Cheer Cheese, Saputo, has long maintained that the cheese is named after American cheesemaker Edward Coon.
In July 2021, Australian cheese brand Coon, then 90 years old, changed its name to Cheer after a campaign claimed the old name was racist, as the word ‘coon’ is an insult against people of color.
It is not known if the name change from Coon to Cheer played any role in the decline in sales of the cheese, or if it was more a case of price gouging causing consumers to switch to cheaper products.
Its director of operations, Leanne Cutts, said it was a “very difficult decision” to lay off the staff.
“Today’s announcement continues our journey towards the long-term success of our business in Australia by increasing our efficiency and productivity, and making our business more competitive,” he said.
‘Site management will work closely with affected employees at all three affected sites to discuss redeployment and training opportunities.
“Where alternative roles are not available, these employees will receive redundancy and redeployment support.”
Australians are feeling the pinch of rising cost of living as supermarket prices rise
Meanwhile, around three-quarters of struggling Australian families now fear they won’t be able to afford Christmas presents for their children, according to a recent Salvation Army survey.
The charity’s senior, Bruce Harmer, said 77 per cent of those polled said they would struggle to afford enough food for the holidays this year.
“We are deeply concerned to hear about the harrowing decisions Australians make every day, such as deciding whether to pay an electricity bill or buy a Christmas present for their child,” he said. nine news.
More than 82 percent worried that they would not be able to afford gifts on December 25.
“Others choose to go without food and medicine to ensure their children have food on the table,” Commander Harmer said.
“The guilt and emotional cost of not being able to provide the basics for your family is the real, but often hidden, cost of financial hardship.”
It comes after Metcash, Australia’s largest wholesale food distributor, warned that food costs rose 8.8 percent in November alone.
It comes after Metcash, Australia’s largest wholesale food distributor, warned that food costs rose 8.8 percent in November alone.
The wholesaler, which supplies products to supermarkets such as IGA and Foodland, reported an 8.2% increase in sales in the first half of fiscal 2022/2023 as net profit fell 2.4%, bringing the company attributes to rising costs.
The inflation report revealed that wholesale food prices rose rapidly from 4.9 percent in the first quarter to 7.4 percent in the second.
In October, prices rose 8.4%, which then accelerated to 8.8% the following month.
The figures reported by Metcash do not include wholesale prices for tobacco and fresh produce.