With many outside factors increasing the costs of food, saving money on groceries is a concern of many people. While it is common practice to clip coupons and monitor grocery ads, there are several other ways to make saving money on groceries easy and convenient. The following three solutions will help any family, regardless of income level, save money on groceries.
Saving Money on Groceries With Angelfood Ministries
Angelfood Ministries was founded in 1994 as a way to help families who were struggling financially save money on groceries. Now, they serve more than 500,000 families per month in many places throughout the United States. While the program is run out of local churches, it is non-denominational and they will allow anyone to participate regardless of religious affiliation.
Angelfood Ministries offers families a different pre-determined menu every month. The menu is set to feed a family of four for one week for a reasonable price, typically about $30. Typical items include several types of meat, fresh and frozen vegetables, and staple items, such as rice and cereal. By keeping the prices low and the meals balanced, money that would have otherwise been spent can be used toward other parts of the grocery budget.
There are three basic grocery packages available from Angelfood Ministries, and several add-on grocery boxes such as a meat package or a fruits and vegetable package. Both are available for nominal fees on top of the $30.
Saving Money on Groceries with Community Supported Agriculture Services
Community supported agriculture, sometimes referred to as CSA, is a way of supporting local farms while also saving money on groceries. Local farms and CSA services offer fruits, vegetables, and sometimes meat on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Typically, families must pay an upfront fee, but they will receive produce and food through the entire growing season.
While consumers do not have a say in what produce or meats they receive, the CSA service usually provides a wide variety of fresh, seasonal foods. In addition to saving money on groceries participating in a CSA helps support local families, cutting out the middleman and providing families with fresher produce.
Saving Money on Groceries Through Wholesalers
When families start cutting back on their grocery budgets, food producers begin to lose money, as well. Many wholesale produce companies will sell directly to consumers,but with some limits. For instance, the produce may have to be picked up on a specific date and at a specific time, or their may need to be a large group willing to do one large purchase together, and then divide it amongst themselves.
Regardless of how large or small the grocery budget is, saving money on groceries can be easy when creative solutions are used. These solutions can be particularly helpful when families do not fall within income guidelines for other programs, such as food stamps.
 |
