Tariffs are the new hot topic in finance, trade, and well… pretty much life. No wonder, as ultimately they can dominate how we shop, what we buy, the cost of goods, the continuance of the company that cuts our paycheck. Uncertainty is scary, I get. I’m living it too. But Momma is here to talk us through how to keep the tariffs off our plates as best we can. Today I’m focusing on food, but any of these principles can absolutely be applied to other sectors where commerce occurs.
Step One: Plan, Don’t Panic
Easier said than done. But we’re all going to keep our heads on, hunker down with a mug of hot chocolate we have left in the house, and be sensible adults who are absolutely not hyperventilating.
Fact remains, tariffs are a high-level game of tug-of-war being played at cruising altitude, while the rest of us peons are stuck hoofing it on the ground. But that’s okay. While everyone at the top of our respective nations are *ahem* wang waving negotiating, we little guys can, and should, take matters into our own hands. Pun intended, I’m no coward.
So what can we do? We make a plan and stick to it while everyone else is mashing the panic button. We take a deep breath and plot our course with Momma’s TripTick for Navigating Tarriffs while the international GPS keeps trying to reroute. Rerouting. Rerouting. Make a U-turn. Make a U-turn. Just ignore that nonsense.
Step Two: Recognize Price Fluctuations Will Happen
Anyone else experience sticker shock when a bag of potatoes jumped up to $10 USD a bag? Because I sure did. And I don’t even wanna discuss egg prices, even though that’s the result of avian flu and not tariffs. Point is, while the Tariff Tug-of-War is ongoing, the prices on goods, services, and yes food, are going to wildly fluctuate like a drunk spring-breaker bouncing on a trampoline. (Also, please don’t engage with a trampoline if you’ve been enjoying a well-earned drink, or ten. I’ve had friends snap their legs in half. It’s not pretty.)
We’re going to formulate our plan, but we’re also going to be flexible when we hit the stores. If bananas are going to cost you a kidney donation this week, look around and see if berries are more reasonable. We only have so many organs we can sell off and so much plasma we can hock before we run clean out. Let’s not get there.
At the end of the day, try not to feel dismayed or infuriated. Keep a cool head, remember that you knew this was coming, and make any buying decisions from a place of calm, logical rationality. It’s okay if you want to weep when you put back your Takis, though. Have that cry.
Step Three: Shop Domestically
I realize this might be where some of y’all might get a little cranky with me. I get it, you did just put your Takis back on the shelf. However, one the best ways you can insulate yourself against the Tariff Tug-of-War is to primarily shop what is local to your nationality. This can apply to anyone anywhere in the world and not just folk in the USA. This will require a little research on your part. A Google search for the top 20 agricultural products for your country should give you a solid idea what your region and climate specializes in. For the Americans in the audience, checking the resources available on USDA.gov is a great place to start.
Please don’t misunderstand me and think I’m espousing a full on rejection of international trade. I think it’s a marvelous thing that Costa Rica has pineapples and Columbia has coffee beans. I’m all about countries engaging in trade so their people can enjoy a variety of foods full of great nutrition. But until the political players figure themselves out, do yourself a favor and eat patriotically. If it’s a national specialty, enjoy it with gusto!
Step Four: Shop Regionally and Seasonally
Wait wait, isn’t this like the one prior? It is, and it isn’t. Take a moment and think about how far food has to travel, and what those transport costs add up to, shipping almonds from one side of your country to the other. Add to that if the foodstuffs are also being harvested out of season. Large quantities of energy and water have to be used to get those strawberries in December, which drives the costs up… and we’re trying to avoid higher costs. If you’re trying to use out of season produce for the time of year or area in which you live, most likely you’ll find yourself buying tariff-laden replacements from out of country.
You don’t have to feel deprived by limiting your staples to eating locally. Clam Chowder from Ivar’s in the Pacific Northwest is just as delicious as Gumbo eaten in the French Quarter of NOLA. Both are seafood soups; both are scrumptious uses of local ingredients. Tummies are happy! If you live in the southeastern U.S., peanuts and pecans are in great supply. Almonds are a top nut in California. If you live near those zones, select for your local nut options instead of imported cashews or pistachios.
I’ve given examples based on my personal experiences in places I have lived. But these principles apply wherever you are too. Start by looking into the top agricultural products for your state, province, county, région, or prefecture. If the availability seems small to you, check into those produced by your neighboring states, provinces, counties, régions, and prefectures. I’m fortunate to live neighborly to one state that produces peaches (my favorite fruit!), another that produces rice, and yet another that grows hogs. Hello bacon!
Step Five: Buy Ingredients Not Products
Okay, please put away the pitchforks, unless you’re headed out to feed your cattle. In which case, why is that inside by your computer? I realize this is going to step on toes. Especially when you’re already feeling overwhelmed and spooked about all the uncertainty you’re facing. (Refer to Step One.)
We’re going to be buying ingredients, not products. We’re going to be buying the chicken to make the chicken tendies for dinner and not buying them pre-made in the freezer section. Why? Because you don’t have control over where the basis of those products come from. If a company is importing palm oil to make your packaged mini-muffins, the tariffs on that palm oil is going to start impacting the cost of your muffins. Use some of the domestic produced butter with some flour and eggs (or egg substitutes until the prices recover) and local honey to bake your muffins.
Does this mean you will need to learn to cook if you don’t know how? Yes. Is this a problem? Of course not! Because you’ve got Momma and her tasty budget recipes to help you out.
Step Six: Grow Your Own
For the sake of pure transparency, this is a Do-As-I-Say-Not-As-I-Do scenario. I understand full well the practicality of this step– but I also know that I have a black thumb and could kill a plastic plant. I have actually done. Please don’t ask. I keep trying to grow things, I swear.
For those of you who are fortunate enough to not butcher innocent plant life, this is a good one for you. There are no tariffs levied on any foods you grow for yourself. That could be a single tomato plant in the corner of your yard, a collection of herbs growing in your flower bed, or re-grown green onions in a pot on your apartment balcony.
And don’t feel like you have to be 100% self-sustaining. If you can only grow those tomatoes and your neighbor has hot peppers, swap off and make some salsa. If someone on your street has a fruit tree that never gets harvested, offer to pick up their fallen produce for them; maybe they’re struggling and you’d be helping them out. Checking out your local foraging clubs through MeetUp or Facebook Groups is a great way to engage with your community and take advantage of Mother Nature doing the hard work for you. I’ve yet to wreck the wild persimmon growing over my back fence, but sure do enjoy the ripe fruits that fall in my yard.
Step Seven: Adapt Your Mindset
Maybe it’s glass half-full, but I do believe this Tariff Tug-of-War won’t last forever. However, it’s happening now, and could take some time for it to finally resolve and the ultimate dust to settle. Since this is the current trade and financial climate, let’s work on how we frame our thoughts and expectations.
Does the USA truly need chocolate covered strawberries with out of season imported fruit coated in imported chocolate in the dead of winter known as February? Probably not. And of course, French wine, Spanish olive oil, and Italian cheeses are positively scrumptious. But. Maybe it’s time to own that for most of the world, those are imports, and imports are luxury goods. Some of us are blessed to live in nations that produce these goods, possibly not quite the same level of quality, but just as serviceable and without the added tariff.
I admit to being one of the biggest culprits of believing that a luxury good is absolutely essential and a staple in my life. Okay look, coffee. I’m talking about coffee. I’m not giving it up. You don’t want me giving it up. But I am also willing to own that it’s a luxury import and I’m going to be paying a premium for it. (Yes, I understand one island state produces some, but that single state can’t sate my coffee addiction.) Do I plan on having roasted leg of lamb on Easter this year? Absolutely. And I’m doing it in full knowledge that the supply at my local grocery comes from Australia and I’m going to be paying a price that reflects a tariff.
Point is, it’s very important to take a step back and evaluate what’s truly a necessity in your life for your health, happiness, and well-being. Anything that’s not, which also comes with a tariff? Let it go for now. Look for alternative regional replacements, or change up your expectations entirely.
What’s Next?
Leave me a comment and let me know which of these resonated with you the most. Is there an idea that I’ve missed that you’re employing? I wanna hear all about it!
Good luck. Eat well. Momma
