Save money grocery shopping

Tasty fruits and vegetables can fit into any budget. They're a great value for the money! Shop around and use all forms - fresh, frozen, dried, canned, and 100% juice - to get your 5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day. Check out these money saving tips and watch your savings add up.

  • Check store flyers and coupons first - before you go shopping. Plan low cost weekly meals around what's on sale. Make your shopping list and stick to it.
  • Buy fresh fruits and vegetables in season when they are least expensive. Buy nutritious and low-cost frozen or canned fruit and veggies when local, fresh produce isn't available.
  • Choose generic or store brands instead of name brands. Store brands tend to cost less and have similar taste and nutrition.
  • Buy unprepared foods instead of convenience foods. For example, buy plain frozen vegetables instead of ones with sauces.
  • Buy dried beans, peas and lentils to make low-cost soups and casseroles.

Here's a low-cost soup to try tonight!

Pinto Bean Stew

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped -- Don't have fresh? Try frozen carrots!
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups cooked pinto beans -- use dried or canned beans!
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
  1. Add 1/2 cup water to a medium pot. Cook the onion, green pepper, carrots and garlic in the water for 5 minutes over medium heat or until soft.
  2. Stir in the chili powder, tomato paste, chicken broth and pinto beans.
  3. Cook for 20 minutes. Add a little water if the beans start to stick to the bottom of the pot.
  4. Serve over hot cooked rice.
  5. Refrigerate leftovers.