Deep Freeze, Soaring Gas Prices and Food Inflation Spur Vegetable Gardening in 2011, says Burpee

Deep Freeze, Soaring Gas Prices and Food Inflation Spur Vegetable Gardening in 2011, says Burpee

Warminster, PA – March 2011 – National garden company W. Atlee Burpee & Co. reports a surge in vegetable seed and plant sales that parallels the turmoil in the Middle East and the sharp rise in gas prices. “We’ve seen an unexpected flurry of orders come in over the last month,” says Burpee’s Chairman and CEO, George Ball.

Gas prices aren’t the only force compelling more Americans to save money with homegrown produce. Prices in the produce aisle are up significantly due to this winter’s record-shattering deep freeze in Mexico and the Southern U.S. that stunted the flowering and fruiting of tomato, pepper and cucumber plants on hundreds of produce farms.

“Given the deep dent grocery stores have put in consumers’ wallets, low-cost, healthy foods are even less affordable at a time when this country is most aware of its obesity epidemic,” Ball says. More Americans will turn to vegetable gardening in 2011 to offset both soaring food and gas prices, as they did when Burpee saw a 30 percent sales increase during the 2009 recession.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts the overall food inflation rate will increase by 3 percent. Along with top economists, Ball says this rate could be higher, adding more than $20 to the average monthly food bill for a family of four. Upon learning this news, Burpee reported in March 2011 that families could save as much as 90 percent in costs for these affected vegetables by growing them at home.

“A pack of Burpee red pepper seeds will produce about 20 pepper plants each, producing 15 peppers per plant,” Ball asks. “Would you rather pay $2.00 for one red pepper, or is it more sensible to grow $600 worth of red peppers in your own backyard for an investment of $4.95 in seeds?” Home grown tomatoes, cucumbers and even lettuce result in similar savings. “Saving money ‘growing your own’ will add value to not only your pocketbook, but also your taste buds and overall physical health. Gardening gets you—and your kids—outdoors.”