I live in downtown Chicago and we are seeing the price increases on
top of what have always been inflated prices. Any brand loyalty that I
had has gone out the window in favor of what is on sale or cheapest
and in some cases I’m going with store brands. I wasn’t raised in a
household where cooking as given high priority but I do remember as a
kid my mom saying the store brand of canned green beans was inferior
to the Del Monte. When I asked why I remember she said there might be
screws or misc. parts from where it was canned. Given the contents of
the can were just going to get nuked and served anyway I couldn’t
imagine I wanted anything less edible and so have always had an
aversion to store brands, especially canned. I was wondering what your
opinions of store brands are, canned or otherwise? I’ve been going
with the store brand pasta and cream cheese among others with no
problems. Sometimes I simply find the packaging off-putting which is I
realize is just silly. Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Cindy