Smart grocery shopping tips to save money and support Iowa farmers

My neighbor recently saw me unloading groceries from my car, and instead of our usual small talk about the weather, we started chatting about high food prices.

I couldn’t help but complain, too. Even during the holidays, I can’t find a can of pumpkin for under $1.

We’re all trying to save money on groceries, especially with Christmas gift-buying season right around the corner. (Don’t even get me started on the higher prices for toys and kids’ clothing right now.)

Fortunately, you can still find plenty of ways to feed your family well without breaking your budget.

Iowa farm families also understand the challenges of higher grocery prices. They face rising costs, too, but they’re using new technology and sustainable practices to grow food as efficiently as possible, helping to keep food affordable.

Smart grocery shopping tips to save money

As a mom on a budget, I’m sharing a few ideas on how to save money at the grocery store during the holidays – and all year long:

1. Plan meals around store specials. Check your local grocery ads or store apps before you shop. Building your weekly meals around featured sale items – like October Pork Month deals – can help you save money.

For example, buy a pork roast on sale, cook it in a slow cooker and use the leftovers for BBQ sandwiches or burritos later in the week.

2. Use your freezer and buy in bulk when it makes sense. Buying larger quantities can save you money. Watch for sales on whole pork loins, ground beef or family packs of chicken breasts.

Shop at a full-service meat counter, and you can ask the butcher to cut the meat into smaller portions. Place it in freezer bags, label with the date and store for up to several months.

If freezer space allows, consider purchasing a quarter or half hog or beef directly from a local farmer. You’ll often pay less per pound for high-quality, Iowa-raised meat.

Freezing meat doesn’t affect its safety or nutrition. Iowa farmers follow strict standards for animal care and food safety, so you can buy with confidence and save money.

3. Look for in-season Iowa produce. Produce grown close to home is usually fresher, more flavorful and more affordable when it’s in season. In the fall, look for apples, squash and pumpkins; in the spring, asparagus and rhubarb; in summer, sweet corn and tomatoes.

Buying directly from Iowa farmers markets and farm stands supports local farm families while cutting out extra shipping costs.

Iowa farmers grow a wide variety of crops today and use modern conservation practices that protect soil and water, making it easier for you to enjoy healthy, local foods that fit your budget.

4. Choose store-brand milk, eggs and yogurt. These products are held to the same strict safety and quality standards as name brands, and they often cost less.

All milk – whether it’s conventional, organic or lactose-free – is tested to ensure it’s free of antibiotics before it leaves the farm and again before it reaches the grocery store.

Iowa dairy and egg farmers care for their animals daily to produce safe, wholesome foods for your family, often at a lower price point. Supporting these everyday Iowa products keeps your grocery list simple, affordable and nutritious.

5. Cook once, eat twice. Plan to repurpose leftovers into new dishes so your family doesn’t feel like they’re eating the same meal twice. Turn roast chicken into chicken salad sandwiches, grilled pork chops into pork fried rice or ground beef into a next-day nacho bake.

By thinking ahead, you will make your grocery dollar stretch further and waste less food. Unfortunately, food waste is one of the top contributors of greenhouse gas emissions in landfills, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Iowa farmers are experts at reducing waste, using technology to track feed, fertilizer and water use. Your kitchen can work the same way by maximizing what you already have.

Farm families are stretching their resources to keep food affordable

Just like families stretch their budgets, Iowa farmers stretch every resource on the farm – water, feed and energy – to produce safe, nutritious food responsibly. Advances in animal care, crop genetics and conservation help farmers manage costs so food stays affordable and accessible to everyone.

Shopping smart doesn’t mean giving up the foods you love. It means knowing where your food comes from and how to make the most of every dollar.

When you fill your cart, you’re supporting Iowa farmers who care about growing safe, nutritious foods for their families – and yours.

Find more budget-friendly recipes here, and meet the Iowa farm families who grow your food at www.RealFarmersRealFoodRealMeat.com.

  

---

Learn more about author Teresa Bjork here.