Release #098-99

Contact: Colleen Roche/Jennifer Chait (212) 788-2958
Tom Sclafani (DCA) 487-4239

The 15th annual survey of 94 stores across the City compares prices of such Passover staples as gefilte fish, matzoh, macaroons and other foods commonly purchased during the holiday.

"New Yorkers preparing for the Passover holiday can reap the benefits of the City's latest survey of Passover food prices - a survey that arms shoppers with the latest information on what they should be spending on Passover groceries," said Mayor Giuliani. "With the help of the Department of Consumer Affairs survey, New Yorkers can ensure that they are getting the best value for their money as they prepare for the Passover Seder."

"This year's survey found that store owners are not driving up prices as Passover draws closer," the Mayor continued. "In fact, overall average prices have fallen almost one-and-a-half percent compared to six weeks ago. The survey also revealed that last minute holiday bargains can be found at local neighborhood grocers -- not only at large supermarkets. I urge all Passover shoppers to obtain this useful price guide from Consumer Affairs so they can comparison shop and save money this holiday season."

Commissioner Polonetsky said, "For the second consecutive year, the Passover survey found that store owners are actually lowering prices slightly in the push to attract Passover shoppers. Holiday shopping used to mean that some stores raised prices for kosher items, but merchants have realized that offering bargains is better business. Consumer Affairs will continue to monitor stores throughout the City to ensure that Passover prices are not unfairly high."

Price comparisons were based on individual store "market baskets" comprised of the following commonly purchased Passover foods:

Gefilte Fish    24 oz.
Applesauce    35 oz.
Grape Juice    22 oz.
Apple Juice    64 oz.
Strawberry Jam    12 oz.
Salad Dressing    8 oz.
Mayonnaise    16 oz.
Borscht    32 oz.
Tuna Fish    6 oz.
Ex. Large Eggs    1 dz.
Cooking Oil    48 oz.
Sugar    5 lbs.
Cider Vinegar    16 oz.
Horseradish    6 oz.
Potato Starch    12 oz.
Butter    8 oz.
Am. Hard Cheese    12 oz.
Cottage Cheese    16 oz.
Matzo    5 lbs.
Macaroons    10 oz.
Matzo Meal    6 oz.

DCA recorded prices at 94 city food stores -- including supermarkets, independent retailers, and meat and fish markets -- six weeks prior to Passover to establish baseline prices for kosher items. Inspectors returned to the same stores last week to document price changes on the same items.

Supermarkets in Brooklyn had the lowest prices for the 21-item market basket, costing $46.54; followed by The Bronx at $47.87; Staten Island at $48.21; Queens at $56.49; and Manhattan at $57.95. Passover shoppers would also get the best deal at independent grocers in Brooklyn, where the 21-item basket cost an average $50.55; followed by Queens at $51.38; Manhattan at $51.64; and The Bronx at $55.21. The Citywide average for the 21-items varied only slightly by type of store. The average price at independent grocers was $51.26 and $52.79 for supermarkets.

Commissioner Polonetsky said, "Although shoppers pay, on average, comparable prices at independent grocers and supermarkets, DCA's survey found that larger supermarkets were more likely to offer steep last-minute price cuts on high profile Passover foods. For example, the average price of a 24-ounce package of gefilte fish fell 24 percent from $4.06 to $3.08 between February and March and the average price of a 32-ounce bottle of borscht fell 23 percent from $1.40 to $1.08 during the same period."

SUMMARY PASSOVER BASKET SURVEY FINDINGS
Survey Average Prices - February 1999 vs. March 1999 **

Today's announcement was held at Streit's Matzos Factory. Family-owned since 1916, Streit's has been housed at its current Lower Manhattan location since 1925. To obtain a copy of DCA's 1999 Passover Survey please call DCA's Consumer Hotline at 212-487-4444 or 718-286-2994.