Saving Money on Food

[keljonma]

Our church has a food co-op. Many of the items (grains) are organically grown. The food is ordered monthly, and is delivered to the church. The people who placed orders meet at the church when the order is delivered, and divide up the items. Sometimes two or three of us will go in on an order for 50 pound bag of something (like rolled oats, ground wheat). When we had the flock, we found the oats from the food co-op were sometimes $3 or $4 less than the oats at the feed mill for a 50 lb bag.

Our food co-op requires a membership fee of $23, but after that, you just pay for what you order. You aren't required to order any set number of times either.

Have you checked to see if there is a food co-op near you? Maybe a group from the neighborhood or church or school would be interested in starting one.

Also, if there are free community meals in your area (like our church does Christian Cafe - a free meal to all who show up 2x a month), think about going. If they are run like the Christian Cafe, a person can make a free-will donation, but it isn't necessary. The program at our church is a complete meal served cafeteria style, with tables for sitting down to enjoy your meal.

 

[Dace]

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!!!

Well thank you Dac!
I had to re-read that to see what was so dang funny!

 

[Dace]

Our church has a food co-op. Many of the items (grains) are organically grown. The food is ordered monthly, and is delivered to the church. The people who placed orders meet at the church when the order is delivered, and divide up the items. Sometimes two or three of us will go in on an order for 50 pound bag of something (like rolled oats, ground wheat). When we had the flock, we found the oats from the food co-op were sometimes $3 or $4 less than the oats at the feed mill for a 50 lb bag.

Our food co-op requires a membership fee of $23, but after that, you just pay for what you order. You aren't required to order any set number of times either.

Have you checked to see if there is a food co-op near you? Maybe a group from the neighborhood or church or school would be interested in starting one.

Also, if there are free community meals in your area (like our church does Christian Cafe - a free meal to all who show up 2x a month), think about going. If they are run like the Christian Cafe, a person can make a free-will donation, but it isn't necessary. The program at our church is a complete meal served cafeteria style, with tables for sitting down to enjoy your meal.

There is a food co-op in one of the beach communities...I get the sense that it is more of a big store....but I do want to go check it out.

 

[dianer29]

I just moved here with my husband and 2 children to The Big Island/Hawaii .We have started a garden and it has saved us a small amount due to the very heavy rainfalls and the tough lava rock. Are there any co-ops here on the island? I just purchased a few chickens for egg laying purposes as I know that will help us too. I use alot of tofu,legumes and whole grains .I researched Angel ,they are not here.

 

[TanksHill]

Ok, so I still messed the joke. But it's early for me.

I think the CSA seemed a bit pricey. I usually buy whats on sale and in season at my Frazier Farms. To be honest with the economy. I don't think I could convince 10 to 25 friends to spend 30 bucks every week on fruits and veggies.

I think the Eagle Food project may not be the most healthy choices but in our area not everyone has farms. Most working people who I know do not have the time to care for a veggie garden. I think this program is a great way for them to supplement what they can afford.

For example the veggies last week when I went included. 10 peaches, 10 zucchini, 10 bell peppers, 10 yellow squash, 10 cucumbers, a handful of hot peppers, a bag of mixed greens and a chayote(sp). This is fruit and veggies I picked out myself. From a grocery style aisle. Not pre packaged in a box. I was satisfied.

There were quite a few odd items in the pantry box and some great basics. Cereal, beans, rice, plain pasta. I plan to re donate the items my family will not eat or that I think are unhealthy.

The cold box included cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurts, milk, organic oj, and a couple of lunch meats. Not much but definitely usable.

One way I have been canning fruit this year. I find anyone I know with an unpicked tree and offer to clean it up for them. I know an old guy with pears. Yesterday I canned 4 quarts. I know it does not sound like much but I plan to pick again today. I should be able to can another 10 quarts total.

Every little bit helps.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

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!!!

LOL I had to read what you quoted THREE Times to get it...then looked at the OP and saw the bold "r"

I've bought the Angel Food's before, but I couldn't validate buying $200 worth of boxes from them to feed my family. The portions are more for families of 4, and we're nearly double that, so it's more frugal for me to shop sales and Save A Lot or Aldi's or to make things from scratch.

 

[freemotion]

I'm so glad I captured it in quotes.....now it is here for all to enjoy, and will become a classic!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Ok I've GOT to stop reading ya'll's comments while taking a swig of coffee!

 

[Wifezilla]

Plastic keyboard covers are amust

 

[Dace]

I'm so glad I captured it in quotes.....now it is here for all to enjoy, and will become a classic!

Yeah, thanks a lot Missy!

Although a panty service could be a lucrative venture....for a while I belonged to the panty-of-the-month-club That was quite an adventure....although most of them were not um....useable in the normal everyday sense, as in under your jeans