the drastic rise in food prices recently? I know sometimes prices are cyclical but things that I've purchased recently at the grocery store or WallMart are more money this week than in the past few weeks. Just wondering if anyone else noticed this as well.

you bet, and it is only going to get worse once the inflation cycle really goes wild!

Prices are rising here as well, and are likely going higher for the reason Sarky stated.
JerryD should be happy ... his gold reserves will continue to increase in value. Cheers Jerr .

We noticed the change beginning in the winter of 06-07. It wasn't that the price on the package had changed, it was the size of the package. It was slightly smaller on a number of things we use. That was when we got serious about prepping and haven't stopped. I don't think anyone is going to be completely prepared for what's to come. We have noticed recently that prices are creeping up.