Friday 3 December 2021

Woman who lives in rural Alaska reveals the astronomical cost of groceries in her remote town where a half-gallon of MILK costs $18 and a block of cheese goes for $25

 A woman who resides in rural Alaska is lifting the lid on what it's really like to live in a remote part of the state, where moose are her neighbors and a half-gallon of milk costs $18. 

Emily, who is known as @emilyinalaska_ on TikTok, has been documenting the highs and lows of life in south-central Alaska after joining the social media platform last year during the coronavirus pandemic. 

She went viral a few weeks ago when she shared a video revealing the astronomical prices tags found on common grocery store items, leaving viewers stunned by the markup.  Behind-the-scenes: Emily, who is known as @emilyinalaska_ on TikTok, has been documenting the highs and lows of life in south-central Alaska for over a year

Behind-the-scenes: Emily, who is known as @emilyinalaska_ on TikTok, has been documenting the highs and lows of life in south-central Alaska for over a year

Yikes: She went viral a few weeks ago when she revealed the cost of groceries in rural Alaska. A block of Tillamook is $24.99 and a half-gallon of Darigold milk is $18.29
Yikes: She went viral a few weeks ago when she revealed the cost of groceries in rural Alaska. A block of Tillamook is $24.99 and a half-gallon of Darigold milk is $18.29

Yikes: She went viral a few weeks ago when she revealed the cost of groceries in rural Alaska. A block of Tillamook is $24.99 and a half-gallon of Darigold milk is $18.29

Pricey: A pack of Land O’Frost honey smoked turkey breast is $10.29 at her local store

Pricey: A pack of Land O’Frost honey smoked turkey breast is $10.29 at her local store 

'Goods are priced higher since they have to travel farther by plane or barge to get to rural areas,' she explained using the apps text-to-voice feature. 'The cost of living in Alaska is 24 percent higher than the national average.' 

According to the footage, a 32 oz. block of Tillamook cheddar cheese is $24.99, a half a gallon of Darigold milk is $18.29, a 32 oz. bottle of flavored Coffeemate creamer is $12.89, and a pack of Land O’Frost honey smoked turkey breast is $10.29.

Emily has never stated her exact location, but some of the markups were 50 percent or more than the same items found on Walmart's website, where the same block of Tillamook cheese costs $9.98. 

However, the highest markup by far was on the half-gallon of milk. In comparison, the national average for a conventional half-gallon of milk is $1.76.  

Hard to handle: Emily has never stated her exact location, but some of the markups were 50% or more than the same items found on Walmart's website
Hard to handle: Emily has never stated her exact location, but some of the markups were 50% or more than the same items found on Walmart's website

Hard to handle: Emily has never stated her exact location, but some of the markups were 50% or more than the same items found on Walmart's website

'The only time I think the "I hunt because groceries are expensive" argument is valid. Respect for rural Alaskans,' one person wrote. 

'Goes in with 100 bucks comes out with a bag of chips,' someone else joked, while another added: 'Kids you're having snow with a side of snow for dinner.'

One TikToker balked at paying '$25 for cheese,' saying: 'I think I'd just buy a cow.'

The video even had a few New Yorkers feeling grateful for the cost of groceries in the city, where they're expensive but still cheaper than in rural Alaska. 

Wow: Emily noted the 'cost of living in Alaska is 24% higher than the national average.' She explained the prices are higher because planes and barges have to travel farther to get there

Wow: Emily noted the 'cost of living in Alaska is 24% higher than the national average.' She explained the prices are higher because planes and barges have to travel farther to get there

What a scene: Many of Emily's TikToks document the stunning scenery and wildlife in Alaska, including footage of a bear crossing a highway

What a scene: Many of Emily's TikToks document the stunning scenery and wildlife in Alaska, including footage of a bear crossing a highway

Amazing: She once filmed a moose giving birth outside her home, which she called the 'coolest thing I've ever experienced while living in Alaska'
Amazing: She once filmed a moose giving birth outside her home, which she called the 'coolest thing I've ever experienced while living in Alaska'

Amazing: She once filmed a moose giving birth outside her home, which she called the 'coolest thing I've ever experienced while living in Alaska'

They look friendly! Emily joked in one clip that the moose are her 'neighbors'

They look friendly! Emily joked in one clip that the moose are her 'neighbors' 

Smart! In one clip, she revealed that she unplugs her outdoor freezer in the winter to save money on electricity because the temperature is always freezing

Smart! In one clip, she revealed that she unplugs her outdoor freezer in the winter to save money on electricity because the temperature is always freezing 

'I'll never complain about grocery prices in NYC ever again I promise,' one person vowed, while another commented: 'And y'all think NYC is expensive.' 

In a follow-up video, Emily showed how groceries are more affordable in urban Alaska, explaining: 'If you can travel to Anchorage or Fairbanks, prices are much more reasonable!' 

Many of Emily's TikToks document the stunning scenery and wildlife in Alaska, including footage of a bear crossing a highway and the moose she sees in her backyard.   

She once filmed a moose giving birth outside her home, which she called the 'coolest thing I've ever experienced while living in Alaska.'  

In other clips, she shows how much snow the area gets, but she doesn't shovel it away. She cleverly uses a snow blower to get it off her porch. She has also attached a plow to a four-wheeler to easily clear it from her driveway.  

Style: Emily pointed out in another clip that Xtratuf rubber boots are basically Alaska's unofficial sneaker while sharing footage of herself wearing them all year round

Style: Emily pointed out in another clip that Xtratuf rubber boots are basically Alaska's unofficial sneaker while sharing footage of herself wearing them all year round

Winter fun: There are plenty of videos of her soaking up Alaska's splendor while skiing

Winter fun: There are plenty of videos of her soaking up Alaska's splendor while skiing

Check it out: Emily has also documented the snowfall on her porch. Instead of shoveling it, she uses a snow blower
Check it out: Emily has also documented the snowfall on her porch. Instead of shoveling it, she uses a snow blower

Check it out: Emily has also documented the snowfall on her porch. Instead of shoveling it, she uses a snow blower 

Winter wonderland: Emily has also attached a plow to a four-wheeler to easily clear snow from her driveway

Winter wonderland: Emily has also attached a plow to a four-wheeler to easily clear snow from her driveway

 'When it snows in Alaska, it SNOWS,' she captioned one video.

Emily also has a 'Things about Alaska That Just Make Sense' series in which she points out things that are common in the state. 

In one of the TikToks, she pointed out that Xtratuf rubber boots are basically Alaska's unofficial sneaker while sharing footage of herself wearing them all year round. 

Unsurprisingly, she likes the snow, and there are plenty of videos of her soaking up Alaska's splendor while skiing at local resorts. 

Last Christmas, she had views of Denali — the highest mountain peak in North America — while on a holiday ski trip. 

Post a Comment

Start typing and press Enter to search