The mere fact that we are discussing fuel costs as the reason for increased food costs is telling. Our culture has gotten so accustomed to having all sorts of food products from faraway lands available at our fingertips 24/7/365. Spoiled rotten, we are. No one is forcing you to eat foods out of season or that could not possibly be grown/raised/caught in your climate. So quit .....ing when you have to pay what the market dictates those foods will cost.