Gas

And now, more good news on the proposed gas tax. A group that includes the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce doesn’t think 19 cents is enough; they’d like to make it 25 cents. Still another group thinks 29 cents sounds just right. At either 25 or 29 cents, Massachusetts will have the highest gas tax in the country. Welcome, tourists!

Prices for regular unleaded gas as of Mar. 4:

Edgartown

Airport Mobil 2.699 Depot Corner 2.599

Edgartown Mobil 2.659

Oak Bluffs

deBettencourt’s 2.629

Jim’s 2.699

Vineyard Haven

Citgo 2.659

Tisbury Shell 2.659

West Tisbury

Up-Island Automotive 2.539

(10 per cent discount on Sundays)

Menemsha

Menemsha Texaco 2.399

Massachusetts state average

(source: AAA) 1.898

Grocery Basket

When fruits and vegetables are in season somewhere, even if not here, the quality goes up while the price comes down. A smart shopper can take advantage of the variety and plan menus accordingly. This week we shopped for produce that’s in season in early spring. There is some beautiful asparagus out there.

Both Cronig’s and Stop & Shop also had mangoes and pineapples, which are in season, but Reliable did not. Pricing is as comparable as possible, as fruit sizes vary.

On Mar. 4 we shopped for:

Asparagus

Broccoli crowns

Cauliflower

Pink grapefruit

Kale

Leeks

Green leaf lettuce

Small navel oranges

Minneola oranges

Tangerines

Scallions

The total cost* before tax for each order was:

$19.19 at Reliable,

$19.07 at Stop & Shop,

$17.34 at Cronig’s without Our Island Club card, or

$15.61 at Cronig’s with the card.

Cronig’s gives a 10 per cent discount to Our Island Club cardholders, which charges an annual fee.

*These prices represent a snapshot in time only; on any date prices may vary.