Saving Money on Food

[Dace]

I was chatting with a friend about ways to save money on food.

One option that she suggested is a pantry service called Western Eagle....pay $25 and get enough to feed a family of 4 for a week.

Angel Food Ministries is another. They seem to offer a decent amount of staples (meat, eggs, milk, onions, pots etc) for $30.

I also am exploring the option of hosting a CSA drop off location at my home. My weekly produce would be free as long as I have 10-25 members. I am waiting to find out the exact number.

Does any one have any advice or experience in any of these areas? I figure if we all pull our heads together we can share some great ideas!

 

[homestead holdout]

I used to work on a CSA Farm, you will definitely save if you are a drop off and getting a FREE box, it's even worth the slight hassles.... On the other hand it truly does not save if you are a paying customer. Some programs are way better than others, such as if you can go to the farm and pick out your own stuff or get great deals on what is in over abundance at the time. But just getting your organic box every week, you over pay. Farmers Markets have better prices for exact same product (especially at the end of the market)! That's just my 2cents on CSA... You have some great ideas!! Grocery Outlet saves so much money, it's the only place I go for carbs and wine now. No more Safeway for me!

 

[Dace]

Thanks homestaead holdout that is good to know.
I thought that the CSA price was steep...$30 is more than I spend a week in produce, but I am not really sure how much stuff you get...still waiting for that info.

I am a really frugal shopper and find that even my local FM is more money than I am willing to spend lately! Money has been tight so I have been buying whatever produce is the best buy at my local grocery stores...and yes I go to all three to get the best deals!

My only concern about the CSA is having to maintain a high membership. If I only need 10 people to sign up, I can do that ....25 is another story. Plus they say after the first quarter there is a 30-50% drop of rate...so you have to keep selling it. Not sure that I want to do that much work for $30 worth of produce.

I love picking everyone brains though and I appreciate your 2 cents!

 

[FarmerChick]

Dace if you are not too picky...go to the farmer markets about 1/2 hr. before they close. Farmers are practically giving away their produce. of course some things might be sold out.

At least at the more local ones may do this.

I constantly make deals at the very end. If I have 4 bunches of onions left after selling like 250 bunches, and a person says give me 2---I say, for .50 more you can have all 4---and yup, they always take the deal cause it is fab for them and I get rid of the last of the last.

Not every farmer will do this but many do. Alot of them do not have other outlets for their leftovers.....

hope that might help....go very late and see what happens.

 

[Dace]

I should try that ...thanks for the tip Karen

 

[keljonma]

While Angel Food Ministries is a good thing, they do put a lot of highly processed foods in the main box you have to buy before you can add a fruit/veggie box. We found that to feed a family for a week, you would have to buy multiple boxes. It might be okay as a food supplement if you aren't picky about what you eat. IMO a box of mac and cheese tastes like the cardboard it comes in. I'd rather make the real stuff from scratch using milk, flour, cheese, butter and pasta. It would cost less, taste better, and be more nutritious.

Around here, there are no "give aways at reduced prices" at the end of the day at the farmers market. Most of the vendors sell at more than one market and they take the "left overs" with them. At least that has been my experience. One vendor got angry when I mentioned taking the last of her broccoli for less than she was asking. So I let her take it back home with her. Edited to add: Maybe FarmerChick would like to talk to some of the vendors at our local farmers market...

The CSA here does not have a work participation program. You buy a share and get the food. Period. From what I heard, they did a lot of food substitution last year, but not so often this year. So maybe they were just working out the kinks. I'm not sure. Last year it cost $290 for a share for 2009. We have never joined as we prefer to grow our own veggies. So check your area to see what the CSA requires.

Here is an idea: A number of the groceries around us put fruits and veggies on clearance while they are still in very good shape. This is where I routinely get bananas for 25 cents a pound or a bag of apples for 99 cents.

Good luck!

 

[Wifezilla]

Keljomma is right. Lots of processed food in the Angel Food boxes. I can't eat about 80% of it.

I save money shopping at Bargain Mart. Its basically an entire store of scratch and dents. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar are often buy one get one free and are only $1-$2 to begin with.

 

[farmerlor]

I wish there was a Bargain Mart near us. I'd LOVE to get the deals I hear about there. With all these kids I Need a deal now and again.

 

[freemotion]

I was chatting with a friend about ways to save money on food.

One option that she suggested is a panty service called Western Eagle....pay $25 and get enough to feed a family of 4 for a week.

I guess I am tired because I can't stop giggling!!!! Thanks!!!

 

[Blackbird]

Oh! I totally missed that. Now I can't stop laughing either. I just woke up from a nap.