It’s no secret that food costs are rising. My trips to the grocery store are costing me more than usual and I imagine yours might be too. Here are a few ways to save money on food, including tips for reducing food waste. For additional information and resources on how to make the most of your money at the grocery store visit us at Spend Smart. Eat Smart.   

1. Try the store brand. Do a blind taste test to see if your family can really tell the difference. They may be requesting foods because of the advertising or packaging.
2. Use unit pricing. Sometimes the larger size is a better buy and sometimes it’s not. Use unit pricing to get the best buy for your money. Determine the unit price using the unit price calculator on our Spend Smart. Eat Smart. app.
3. Choose both animal and plant-based sources of protein. Enjoy both chicken and black beans in our Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Bake.
4. Store fruits and vegetables correctly. To make the most of what you buy, be sure you can eat it before it goes bad. Check out our videos on storing fruits and vegetables.
5. Add nearly-too-ripe fruit to yogurt or use in smoothies, muffins, cobblers, or crisps. Add berries to a Yogurt Parfait or use ripe bananas in Banana Oatmeal Bread. Enjoy them for breakfast or a snack.
6. Switch to skim milk. Lower fat milk costs less so switching to skim means spending less money.
7. Power up low-cost staples Add protein and vegetables to mac and cheese or Ramen noodles to give them a nutrition boost. Try Meat and Veggie Mac or Ramen Noodle Skillet.

Over the next few weeks we’ll continue to share additional cost savings tips here on the blog and on social media so be sure to check them out.