leek wrote:Were these items imported? I've heard that there are impediments to moving things back and forth - empty containers. There are logjams of things waiting because no empty containers are available. I think it's because the dollar is going up....?

Two years ago, they were stacking up piles and piles of shipping containers near Midway Airport. The shipments coming in from Asia far exceeded product going out. In fact, one of my friends was looking to buy containers to use to build a house. In the last year or two, with the cheap dollar, US exports increased and the excess containers were absorbed.

Right now, freight rates from Asia are way down.

The Food-Stamp Foodie(video clip)

From fine diner to food-stamp shopper, a former restaurant critic finds new challenges in making culinary magic.

Regards,