Buying Milk in Rural Alaska

Milk is expensive here.  It used to be almost $10, but then they started buying from Kirkland and the prices went down.  During that time someone jokingly told me that he was trying to figure out a way to drink diesel fuel instead since it ws $3 cheaper.

Right now milk is about $6.99 a gallon.

Swanson's is right next to church, so a lot of people stop by there after Mass to buy groceries.  Today I found Milk on sale for $2.99!  That's 42% off!

Why was it on sale?

I was already told by people to look for milk on sale or that was free.  There is a period of time right before and right after it expires that it's on sale (like now).  If they still have some in a couple of days or so it will probably be free.  Some people stock up on milk that goes on sale and freeze it.  They say it's good for at least a week or two after the best buy date.  It makes you wonder what the best buy date actually means, or if people here have just been conditioned to drink less-than-great milk.

Unfortunately, when you live in an impoverished rural community and you take an oath of poverty for a year your choices are limited.  I'll be surpised if I buy full-priced milk all that often.