Paying more for groceries? Try these 5 money-saving tips

Many grocery shoppers closely track milk and egg prices. But I really notice when prices climb for seasonal items, like squash and canned pumpkin, that I only buy in the fall.

I recently bought a store-brand can of pumpkin for $1.99. It wasn’t that many years ago when I would find pumpkin on sale for 99 cents.

Of course, it isn’t just canned pumpkin that costs more nowadays. Prices for many fall foods, like apples and Halloween candy, are also higher than they were a year ago.

And this past spring, overall food prices were up 2.7% from a year earlier and were 26% higher than five years ago, according to CoBank economists.

We’re all looking for ways to save on groceries. One of my favorite sources for budget-friendly tips is Iowa State University’s (ISU) “Spend Smart. Eat Smart” website.

Here are five steps from ISU Extension experts that can help stretch your grocery budget while making meal planning easier:

1. Create a weekly menu plan before you shop. Think about your family’s schedule for the week and determine which days you need quick meals or have more time to cook ahead.
2. Check what you have in your pantry and freezers. Plan meals around what needs to be used up.
3. Check for grocery specials. Look online for your local grocery stores’ weekly ads. If you find a sale on protein, such as ground beef, work it into your weekly meal plan.
4. Review your meals for balance. Aim to include something from every food group (protein, dairy, whole grains and fruits and vegetables) to support your family’s nutrition – and your budget.
5. Stock up selectively. If your budget allows and a family favorite is offered at a good price, buy extra if you have room to store it and know you’ll use it in future meals.

Personally, I have found that meal planning and using up what’s in my pantry before shopping have helped my family save on food.

Even though we’re all paying more for food, it doesn’t mean that farmers are benefiting.

High grocery bills affect everyone along the food chain, including farm families. Yet rising prices at the checkout don’t mean farmers are receiving more. U.S. farmers receive less than 6 cents for every $1 spent on food, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Just like us, farm families are looking for creative ways to save, whether that’s cooking at home instead of eating out or buying meat in bulk to freeze for later.

No one can predict when we’ll see relief from higher food costs. In the meantime, I am grateful for the variety and abundance American farmers provide – and for the freedom to choose foods that fit my family’s needs and budget.

Yet not every family has enough food on the table. With Thanksgiving a few weeks away, it’s a good time to reach out to your local food pantry to volunteer or make a donation. In a country of plenty, helping a neighbor is one more meaningful way to put food on the table.

Take care,

Teresa Bjork
Editor, The Iowa Dish

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Learn more about author Teresa Bjork here.