Prices for fresh foods such as produce, meats and dairy foods rarely stay the same week to week and can vary greatly by season and availability. The following are tips for saving money and eating from each food group:

Meat and Beans

• Buy meat on sale and freeze it for future use.
• Stock up on canned tuna when it’s on sale.
• Purchase eggs locally. The transportation and processing of eggs is costly, making it economical to buy closer to home.
• Keep dry beans in your pantry. Soaking beans overnight is simple and allows you to prepare as much as you need with less waste from partially opened cans.
• Shop at discount stores and freeze meats into smaller portions for later use.
• Buy whole chickens and cut up the pieces yourself instead of buying more expensive packages of pre-cut premium pieces like breasts or thighs.
• Check in some of your cookbooks to learn how to cook less-tender and less-expensive cuts of meat like chuck or stewing meats. Slow-cooking methods can often be used very tastefully with these cuts of meat.

The pricing method for dairy foods varies with changes in factors such as transportation and feed, as well as supply and demand. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) sets the lowest allowable price per gallon of milk. The lowest allowable price helps to stabilize the market and ensures that we have a consistent food supply.

In spite of rising prices, continuing to consume milk and dairy products is an excellent nutritional and economical value. Milk provides a unique package of essential nutrients, including calcium, high-quality protein, potassium and vitamins A and D that maximize the utilization of calcium. There are a wide range of milk products available in most supermarkets, including many that are lower in fat and calories.

• Monitor your milk intake and purchase the largest container you anticipate you can finish before it expires.
• If your family drinks a lot of milk, look for retail stores that offer discounts when you buy two gallons at a time.
• Keep dairy products fresh longer by storing them in the back of the refrigerator in sealed containers. Storing milk on the refrigerator door can lead to early spoilage.
• Don’t let mold spoil your cheese. Although fresh cheese should not have mold on it, mold may appear on your stored cheese. If this happens, cut one-quarter inch around the edge of it and remove it. The remaining cheese is safe to eat.
• You can freeze milk but the flavor may be affected.
• Nonfat dried milk and ultra-pasteurized milks are other options to have milk on hand without concern for spoilage.

• The prices for fruits and vegetables vary weekly. Read the weekly grocery flier that is mailed to most homes and plan your shopping list to include these lower-cost options.
• Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season where you live, or nearby. Importing fruits from around the world increases costs and decreases freshness.
• Buy frozen fruits and vegetables. Frozen fruits and vegetables are packaged at the peak of freshness and keep for several months in the freezer. You can thaw and use only the portion you need.
• Look for farmers’ markets. Buying directly from the farmer decreases transportation and processing costs and items may be less expensive. You will need to do a cost comparison in your neighborhood. Regardless of cost, fruits and vegetables purchased at farmers’ markets are at their peak freshness, offering high nutritional value.
• Purchase in bulk. Large bags of fruits and vegetables such as apples, oranges, carrots and potatoes offer the same nutrients and flavor but at lower costs. These foods tend to keep for longer periods of time before spoiling.
• Consider purchasing dried fruit when it is on sale.

• Buy bread on sale and freeze extra loaves for later use. Frozen bread can be thawed or toasted when you’re ready to use it.
• Buy versatile bread products. Products such as tortillas and English muffins can be used for a variety of different dishes and meals throughout the day.
• Buy frozen fruits and vegetables. Frozen fruits and vegetables are packaged at the peak of freshness and keep for several months in the freezer. You can thaw and use only the portion you need.
• Buy large-size bags of rice, as rice has a long storage life.

In addition to wise choices from each food group, making simple lifestyle changes can also make a big difference in your food bill and health.

• Eat at home. Meals prepared at home are often less expensive and more nutritious than dining out. You can also save time and money by cooking extra to save for lunches or dinners later in the week. To increase the nutritional value of the meal, encourage your family to have milk with dinner instead of sugary juices or sodas.
• Enjoy breakfast. Starting your day with breakfast can help jump-start your body and mind. Eating breakfast at home saves you money and time spent at convenience stores or vending machines. Healthy breakfasts are quick and easy to prepare, such as a bowl of cereal topped with milk and 100% fruit juice; or toast with peanut butter, a banana and glass of milk.
• Pack a lunch. Sack lunches aren’t just for the kids. Bringing your lunch to work helps cut costs and saves you time during short lunch breaks. Buying food in bulk and packing leftovers can be especially helpful for cutting costs and saving time. Individually wrapped string cheese and cheese sticks travel well in lunch boxes and provide an excellent source of protein to help power you through the workday.

Food prices will not drop overnight, but the benefits of adopting these healthy and economical changes are available to you any time. One good way to get started is to begin planning menus for the coming week. Try our meal planning website, Meals Matter, and get started today. When compared to eating out, most recipes will save you money.

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