Americans may find food shopping more challenging when trying to stay on track with their budget, while feeding their family a balance of important nutrients each day, in today’s economy.

According to the USDA Economic Research Service, “in 2022, all food prices are predicted to increase between 9.0 and 10.0 percent, food-at-home prices are predicted to increase between 10.5 and 11.5 percent, and food-away-from-home prices are predicted to increase between 6.5 and 7.5 percent. Food prices are expected to grow more slowly in 2023 than in 2022, but still above historical average rates. In 2023, all food prices are predicted to increase between 2.5 and 3.5 percent, food-at-home prices are predicted to increase between 2.0 and 3.0 percent, and food-away-from-home prices are predicted to increase between 3.0 and 4.0 percent.”

Here’s some suggestions that can help you get more bang for your buck:

1. Plan your menus and make a list: Plan your weekly menus and make a grocery list.  Check out your pantry before going to the grocery. Stick to the list and don’t pick up any foods not on the list.   
2. Use coupons and reward cards: You don’t need to rely on the local newspaper for coupons.  Go to websites like www.coupons.com  or even local grocery store chains like Kroger’s (www.kroger.com), Publix (www.publix.com)  and print out coupons or add to your cell phone to use at checkout.  You can also take advantage of rewards cards to get better prices.  
3. Purchase store brands: Research suggests store brands are 15% to 20% lower than brand named products. Sometimes store brands have the same quality and taste the same as the name brand who spends millions on advertising and charges the higher price to pay for the ads.
4. Buy food on sale and in bulk: If you have the room for storage, in most cases, the larger the quantity the less it costs.  But make sure you use it before it spoils.
5. Read and compare food labels: Compare ingredients and nutrients using the % Daily Value so you can purchase more nutrient-dense foods.
6. Compare unit prices not just the price on the container: Make sure to compare the unit price not just the size of the container. Quick cook, pre-prepared items, and 100-calorie packets cost more. You can make your own 100-calorie packets and save some money doing it. Calculate cost per serving not cost per pound when buying meat, poultry, fish, eggs and beans.  Typically, eggs, chicken, turkey, beans, peas and nuts are the least expensive sources of protein. 
7. Shop the perimeter of the store first: Foods on the outer perimeter of the grocery, fresh produce, meats, dairy products and breads are going to cost more per unit than canned foods.  The exception to that rule is cereal.  Cereal is typically very expensive. 
8. Buy produce in season and locally: Seasonal fruits and vegetables cost less.  In most cases, farmer’s market foods are less expensive. Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables may be more economical than fresh if you are counting pennies.
9. Prevent food waste: Check out the “sell by” and “best used by” to make good purchases.  You can use Debbie Meyer Green Bags™ to help keep your fresh fruits and vegetables fresh longer.  These bags are reusable. 
10. Check out your check out: Make sure you get the advertised price when checking out, especially on sale items or items that you have a coupon for.