Tips, tricks and programs to help
With grocery prices on the rise, most people are looking for ways to lower their food bills.
The average cost of a meal in Summit County rose 36%, or $1.36, from 2017 to 2022, according to Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries and local meal programs.
As of 2022, the weekly budget for one person who consumes three daily meals was $93.03, compared to $64.47 in 2017.
Here are some tips for navigating rising food costs while eating healthy:
Consider freezing or canning fresh food
Lisa Nunn, executive director of Let’s Grow Akron, suggests shoppers purchase produce when it is in season (and likely on sale) and preserve it for later in the year by freezing, freeze-drying and canning.
Take advantage of Produce Perks at participating stores and farmers markets
Nunn also recommends using fresh food incentives, such as Produce Perks, at participating grocery stores and farmers markets.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Produce Perks provides a dollar-for-dollar match up to $10-$25 when using a SNAP/EBT Ohio Direction Card at participating grocery stores and farmers markets.
Who offers Produce Perks in Summit County?
Nine locations in Summit County take Produce Perks, but Dave’s Market in Akron’s Middlebury neighborhood is the only participating large grocery store.
Other participating Summit County locations include:
Plan out your meals and buy store brands
Meal planning, smart shopping and budgeting are three keys to lowering grocery costs.
A federal community outreach program called the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) provides classes on wellness and nutrition to qualifying children and adults.
“Our goal really is to change behavior, which is difficult, but I think education is the first step,” said Stacy Soulimiotis, program specialist for Cuyahoga County’s EFNEP office. “So, at least knowing what’s important and how you can do it, even in your circumstances. Maybe not having the means to do so, you can still be mindful of caring for yourself to prevent chronic diseases and just to live a better lifestyle.”
In addition to not shopping hungry and seeking out seasonal vegetables, as Nunn suggested, EFNEP encourages shoppers to consider these steps:
- Plan what meals are needed for the week and make an ingredients list. Be sure to take stock of your fridge and cabinets to see what you already have or may need.
- Consider buying store brands. If you are concerned about the product quality, compare their ingredients and nutrition labels – you may be surprised.
- If visiting multiple stores, compare the prices of what’s on your list.
- Take advantage of any digital coupons for items on your list.
Fill your cart with fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat and limit items from ‘inner sections’ of grocery stores
Dannika Stevenson of Akron is the founder of SipSavorSoul, a business partnering with local community organizations and establishments to foster a healthy food culture and eliminate food disparities.
Stevenson recommends filling shopping carts with fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat, which are often on the perimeter of grocery stores. The grocery store’s inner section, often comprised of more processed foods, should only make up 20% of what’s in the cart.
To make sure you’re getting the best each store has to offer, she also recommends asking an associate when their shipments arrive.
4 more ways to save on groceries
Here are some other creative ways to cut that grocery bill down to size:
- Purchase grocery items in bulk (compare price per ounce/pound).
- Buy spices from ethnic markets instead of traditional grocery stores.
- Consider non-meat protein alternatives such as tofu, beans, cottage cheese, nut butters, etc.
- Use discount grocery apps like Flashfood or Too Good To Go for restaurants.
Got a story recommendation? Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@gannett.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans. And follow her adventures on TikTok @akronbeaconjournal.
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