Text-Only Version
Jane Conroy, Cooperative Extension Educator:
"According to the USDA food plan, in April of 2007, it cost $164 for
a family of four using a moderate food plan. Those figures today are
$179. So again, things have increased, so it's up to us to decide
what are the essentials. You want to make sure that you have your
list, and again, I like to make it a family project--put it in a
location where anyone can write down that item they're looking for
and needing, go on a full stomach, be mindful of the coupons that
you're bringing. For example, because you don't necessarily buy that
product, by seeing that coupon you might be making an unplanned
purchase and hence not saving money. Don't be fooled by what's in the
flier, meaning understand, keep track of the price of that item, and
don't necessarily go from store to store to store. Buy when it's on
sale, that's thrifty. Also understand that they're tying in some
products that you may not have on your food shopping list.
"Canning is the number-one call that we're getting recently. Most
people are planting their own gardens again, especially with the
salmonella with the tomatoes. Okay, how can I make sure? Well, you
can grow it yourself. So, we're seeing a lot of people calling
getting information on preserving foods. But also through our
program, we're trying to teach that sometimes making our food at
home can save us a lot. We also encourage that you are knowing
what's going into your food supply, so doing it yourself is also
important. We talk a little bit about the importance of sometimes
celebrating or using that as your recreation. Well, if eating out is
what you choose, that might come out of your recreation budget.
Another tip with eating out is combining it, meaning make a salad at
home and have your take-out pizza.
"Costs, they are increasing. However, we can make different
choices--very creative and combining. I know some people will say
instead of going to Sam's Club and buying the big thing, let's do it
as a neighborhood. Kind of the old-fashioned food co-op--let's get
bulk but then let's share it. Locally we're talking about campaigns
for neighbor helping neighbor. We need to be particularly watchful
of seniors and that sort of thing."
