Smarter Aisles, Better Meals

Nowadays, knowing how to shop for the right products at the grocery store can be just as challenging as cooking multiple meals every week for your family. Key healthy kitchen habits include having a plan and being knowledgeable about food selection. This will not only help your diet, but also your bank account.

Let’s review USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) tips on how to prepare for your next grocery shopping trip so you can make the most of your time as well as your SNAP/FNS benefits or budget.

In case you don’t know, SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and was formerly known as “food stamps.” In North Carolina, it is also called Food and Nutrition Services or FNS. SNAP is available for low-income families across the state and if you want to learn more about it, contact the our team. We offer free SNAP application assistance in English, Spanish and Portuguese Monday through Friday, 8 am until 5 pm.

Contact us toll free at 1-855-240-1451 or visit our Contact Us page.

Planning Ahead^[1]

The foundation of smart shopping is preparation, and it starts before you even think about leaving the house. First, know your exact budget, including how much money you have available for food and any funds from SNAP benefits. Once you know your spending limit, take a thorough inventory of the food you already have at home, making a commitment to eat it first. This immediate step prevents waste and lowers your shopping total.

Next, create a detailed shopping list, making sure it aligns with your established budget. A helpful trick is to check the prices of products on your local grocery store’s website before you go out. As you plan, only buy the food you can realistically eat before it spoils. Remember that frozen, canned, or other shelf-stable foods will naturally last longer than perishable items. If you choose to save money through buying bulk or large packages of food, be sure to set aside time in your schedule to divide, package, and freeze those items right away to preserve their freshness.

Before Shopping^[2]

Before stepping out, solidify your food plan for the week. Take the time to map out your daily meals, including snacks. This level of detail helps you choose items carefully, reduce impulse buys and make the most of your leftovers.

Don’t forget to look online for coupons, sales and store specials. Always check the fine print to confirm these deals genuinely give you the best value for your money. If they are available and you’re comfortable providing any requested information (like a driver’s license number), sign up for store discount cards or bonus cards; these often unlock significant savings.

During Shopping^[3]

Once you’re at the store, follow these rules to ensure you stick to your list and budget:

The golden rule is to never shop while hungry. Eat a meal or snack before heading out. This simple act helps you maintain focus and stick to the items on your carefully prepared list. While browsing, don’t be afraid to try store brands; they typically offer the same quality as name brands but at a lower cost. Always take a moment to compare products and look at the price per unit to determine the best deals. Finally, secure the freshest items by checking the “use by” and “sell by” dates before putting anything in your cart.

After Shopping^[4]

Your efforts to save continue after you get home with the groceries. Store your fresh food in the freezer or refrigerator right away to maintain quality and safety.

If you purchased a large amount of fresh protein, such as meat, poultry, or fish, immediately divide it into smaller, meal-sized portions and freeze them, making sure to label the packages with the purchase date. The final step is managing your stored food wisely: always apply the “first in, first out” rule and use food with the earliest expiration date first to prevent anything from going to waste.

Source: 

“USDA.” Eat Right When Money’s Tight, June 2015. https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/snap/EatRightWhenMoney’sTight.pdf.

^[1] “USDA.” Eat Right When Money’s Tight, June 2015. https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/snap/EatRightWhenMoney’sTight.pdf.

^[2] “USDA.” Eat Right When Money’s Tight

^[3] “USDA.” Eat Right When Money’s Tight

^[4] “USDA.” Eat Right When Money’s Tight

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