July 21, 1998	Contact: Elisa Odabashian, Policy Analyst 415-431-6747 Consumers Union West Coast Regional Office

Advice to Consumers

• Consumers should not think that they are getting the best buy on milk at supermarkets. In general, before buying a gallon of milk at a supermarket chain, consumers should check the milk prices at smaller neighborhood markets (not quick-stop, convenience, or liquor stores), or check the milk prices at discount, co-op, or specialty stores like Trader Joe’s, Food 4 Less, Smart & Final, and Valu+. In the Los Angeles area and Orange County, consumers can find numerous Mom-and-Pop grocery stores that sell a single gallon of whole milk for less than $3.00. Not all of these small stores accept foods stamps, however, and very few of them accept WIC milk coupons. As of July 6, 1998, most of the Los Angeles area supermarket chains are selling whole milk for $3.62 per gallon.
  

• Consumers should know that there is only the slightest difference in the quality of most brands of milk, even those sold for considerably less. All brands of milk must meet minimum standards set by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
  

• Albertsons supermarkets sell a gallon of whole milk for approximately $.40-$.50 less than do the other major chains. On July 6, the Lucky store in Orange offered extremely low prices for milk, $.89 per gallon less than at the other supermarkets, including other Lucky stores.
  

• Consumers should let their California legislators know that milk prices are too high in California, particularly at the major supermarkets, and that the law that prohibits selling milk for below cost should be repealed.
  

• Consumers should let supermarket managers know that there is no good excuse for their milk prices being considerably higher than prices at many smaller markets, and that taking advantage of people’s need for this essential product is unfair and harmful to consumers.
  

• Consumers can voice their concern and frustration about the high price of milk in Los Angeles and Orange County by writing or calling:
  

  Peter Larkin, President
  California Grocers Assn.
  906 G Street, #700
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  (916) 448-3545
  

  David Ikari, Chief
  Milk Stabilization Branch
  California Dept. of Food and Agriculture
  1220 N Street
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  (916) 654-1456