Jill Kuehler, Executive Director for Zenger Farms, joined us with tips for reducing the amount of money we spend on groceries and other food.

Before going to the store:

• Don’t go to the grocery store hungry.
• Plan meals for the week and make your shopping list based on.
• Don’t go to the store without your list!  This will help you avoid impulse buys.

While at the store:

• Shopping perimeter of the store.
• Items at end-aisle display prevent you from comparison shopping.
• Remember that foods at eye-level are often pricier – look high and low for the deals.
• Avoid foods packaged in individual servings – you pay more for the packaging.
• Buy foods in bulk – dried beans, lentils, peas for healthy soups.  Rice, nuts, granola, look for whats on sale.  Only buy what you will eat.

Other tips:

• Is there a farmers market in your neighborhood?  Buying fruits and vegetables in season saves money.  You can buy in bulk and can or freeze.
• Do you have space to grow your own?  Even pots on an apartment patio can produce good amounts of food to offset costs.
• Cooking from scratch almost always saves money.
• Bring your lunch to work – don’t go out.
• Attend a class on cooking, gardening, preserving. 

For more information and to find out about workships, visit their website.