High cost of eating

A good friend messaged me yesterday citing food inflation numbers as well as the overall pulse of experts on what is to come. But for his part, my friend was concerned about the domino effect of food inflation for Filipinos.

While everybody focuses on the “sama ng loob” or disgust of ordinary people who have to cut corners just to eat balanced meals, my friend pointed out that the uncontrolled food inflation will immediately hit restaurants, food outlets, carinderias, etc.

We don’t think much of it but based on observations of business owners here and in the US, restaurants and bars have the highest mortality or attrition rate among business types. That leads to suppliers losing customers, farmers losing markets, people losing jobs.

In Barrio Kapitolyo where I reside, long-time operators have observed that the attrition rate can go as high as 60 percent in a bad year. Customers have not returned in the same numbers as they used to dine. People only come out in droves during payday weekends, holidays or special occasions such as graduation. Otherwise, many outlets barely cover operating expenses during weekdays.

Unless people and government proactively address the problem, chances are the domino effect of food inflation won’t be limited to higher prices, smaller servings and limited offerings. Aside from fewer customers and repeats, even the customers will eventually cut back on eating out.

People I know have started to look at their bill, check if it’s correct and then pay up, and splitting the bill is now standard. These are people who never used to do that. But because they now have to pay 50 percent more or double than a year ago, and because inflation impacts, gas, electricity, etc., they have become cost conscious.

What’s interesting is that many diners now skip the soup or salad or appetizer as well as sharing a serving for dessert. A lot of people don’t order drinks, juices or beverages because it’s common knowledge that “drinks,” alcoholic or otherwise, are the income generating items on the menu. Sadly, I actually see people bring their own juice or coffee containers while meeting up with others at Starbucks or Coffee Bean.

My wife Karen shared that if