WAYS TO SAVE $$$ ON FOOD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2009

The following are tips from Beverly Combs, one of our Extension Educators.

We consumers are feeling a big crunch these days with the rising food costs. The Department of Agriculture predicts at least a 4%-5% increase in food prices this year. The largest increases are forecast for fat and oils and cereals and bakery products. Following are some food shopping tips to consider:

ü Shop less frequently. One way to save time and help lower costs is to shop less frequently. Fewer trips means less money spent on impulse decisions and less money spent on transportation costs to the store. This also saves you time.

ü Stock up on lower cost frozen and pantry items especially when they are on sale. Foods for the pantry and freezer have a much longer shelf life than refrigerated items. Frozen foods, canned goods and bulk pantry items also tend to be bulky and take more time to gather since you have to push the cart all over the store so it is more efficient to buy more of them all at once rather than little bits each week if you can afford to do so. By stocking up a lot on freezer and pantry items at a discount store and when you see them on sale, you can save a lot. This also makes weekly shopping easier – you can then dash in and out at the local market for just a few fresh produce and dairy items.

Right now, with food costs rising, it makes sense to stockpile foods – buying now gets you today's prices. And if you stock up on healthy foods, you are more likely to prepare and eat healthful meals at home instead of eating out. Foods prepared at home are often much healthier and lower in calories than restaurant and fast foods and you spend less for gas if you stay home as well.

ü Choose less processed foods. By purchasing items that are less processed, you spend less money and get items that are healthier. For example, by choosing whole potatoes versus potato chips or frozen French fries, you save a lot of money per ounce. You also save fat, sodium, and calories as well! Compare the price per ounce for these potato products:

Fresh whole potatoes 0.06

Frozen French fries 0.13

Frozen mashed potatoes 0.13

Instant mashed potatoes 0.21

Potato chips 0.32

Note that all four processed items are at least double the price of the fresh plain potatoes.

Following is a suggested list of healthy foods to stock your freezer and pantry:

Pantry Freezer

Canned beans Bread (whole grain)

Canned tomatoes and other veggies Chicken

Canned tuna Fish and seafood (not breaded)

Fat-free dry milk powder Fruits

Pasta and pasta sauce Lean meat

Peanut butter Turkey

Rice, lentils, and dry beans Vegetables

Soups

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