5 things: What’s the true cost of food?

Hidden costs: What does the hidden cost of producing food look like? One Dutch nonprofit group has some concrete thoughts, even going as far as displaying the so-called true prices, sometimes even next to actual retail prices. Supporters of true cost accounting aren’t necessarily looking to raise food prices; instead they claim that increased awareness of the hidden environmental cost of food could change consumer behavior. But in what ways? And would such a move be good for grocery? Check out the New York Times story with its cool, fun graphics illustrating the two costs here. —Chloe Riley

Living for liverwurst: Practically every day in Kindergarten, my mom neatly packed me a liverwurst and butter sandwich into my Evel Knievel lunch box. But now, evidently, liverwurst is facing its dying days. In a recent column, New York Times columnist Dan Berry talks about his own regret about the increasing difficulty of being able to find liverwurst in the wake of the decision by Boar’s Head to discontinue the product. Berry described his failed pilgrimage to find just one more liverwurst on rye sandwich (as well as the discontent he felt when he discovered his 27-year-old daughter’s partner had never even heard of the processed meat product). The writer then searched the New York Times for any mention of the deli meat. There it was in a 1945 article when General Dwight D. Eisenhower came home from World War II and was greeted by thousands of New Yorkers. Liverwurst was on the celebratory lunch menu enjoyed by Ike and others. Now, apparently it belongs in the Smithsonian, along with my own childhood lunch days. —Bill Wilson

 When the crave calls…As a mother myself, I’m not sure whether to applaud the 8-year-old from Bedford, Ohio, who stole the family car, drove to Target and was found by police (two hours later), sipping a Starbucks Frappuccino, or ground her for the next decade and keep the car keys in a locked safe. On the plus side, she made the voyage without injuring herself or others, or damaging the family’s 2020 Nissan Rogue. She did, however, bump a mailbox along the way and drive erratically enough for several fellow drivers to call 911. It appears the young scofflaw won’t face any official consequences for her escapade. A Facebook post from the Bedford Police noted, “We did let her finish her Frappuccino. We’re not mean.” As a mother, however, I’m guessing she won’t get off so easily with her parents. —Heather Lalley

Say what about grocery prices? Not long after his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris former President Donald Trump was out on the campaign trail and made a stop in Michigan to meet up with Sarah Huckabee Sanders. At the time, Trump was asked how he would lower the price of groceries if he won another term in the White House. The red-tie-wearing king of exaggeration stumbled around an answer that apparently was meant for another question, or questions. Trump talked about the cost of energy, farmer’s subsidies, and windmills. But grocery? Not so much. The candidate’s lack of specifics is doing enough damage. Maybe he should have stuck by the safe response of “I have concepts of a plan” like when he was asked about his health care strategy during the debate. Either way, he should start leaning into specifics—the grocery industry would appreciate it. —BW

Keep on rockin’ in the grocery world: When one thinks of Midwest grocer Fareway Stores, Inc., one’s mind immediately turns to the masked heavy metal band Slipknot, no? Perhaps it’s just us. In any case, the fast-growing grocery chain and the band, which refers to its fans as “maggots” and is known for tunes like “Wait and Bleed,” do share one important commonality: They’re both from Iowa. Fans of all ages lined up Thursday evening at a Fareway in Pleasant Hill, Ia., to meet Slipknot and have them sign bottles of the band’s No. 9 Iowa Whiskey. Nice that Slipknot could take a break from its “Here Comes the Pain” tour for an uncharacteristic visit to “Pleasant Hill.” —HL