Footy food an expensive feed Wes Hosking
Herald Sun
March 19, 2011FOOTY-mad families will pay about $50 for a typical feed at games this season.
The prices of beer, pies, chips and soft drink will all rise from next week.
But most healthy foods won't be dearer and a new range of fresh fare will be available.
A 425ml cup of heavy beer at Etihad Stadium has risen 30c from last season to $6.50 while at the MCG, the price increases 20c to $6.40.
Both venues will charge $5 for a bucket of hot chips, up 20c and 10c.
Are fans being ripped off? Join the footy food debate below
A Four 'N Twenty pie at the MCG rises 10c to $4.40, but Etihad management has kept its price the same at a more expensive $4.50.
Etihad Stadium's rises mean a family of four would pay $49 for a serving each of chips, three soft drinks, two pies and a heavy beer.
The same purchase would cost $48.70 at the MCG.
Collingwood fanatic Kathy Cameron, who goes to the footy each week with her two daughters and friends, said high prices last year forced the Chelsea Heights family to bring food and drinks from home.
"It's just too expensive," she said.
"You can go through $60 to $80 without even really blinking."
Ms Cameron said footy memberships, parking and freeway tolls also added to the cost of seeing a game.
Melbourne Cricket Club spokesman Shane Brown said prices were unchanged for many fresh options, such as pita wraps, salad rolls and some gluten-free items, to promote healthy eating.
"Every effort has been made to keep price increases to a minimum, taking into account additional costs associated with event catering," he said.
"These include storage, transport, heating, supplier and labour costs required to maintain a retail operation that caters for up to 100,000 people."
Etihad Stadium spokesman Bill Lane pointed to price drops and freezes. The cost of a 600ml soft drink drops 10c to $4.50 while a 600ml water remains $4.50 and a 425ml light beer $6.
"We also remind fans that they can bring in domestically prepared food," Mr Lane said.
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