shopping on a budget

Stretching Your Food Budget

A large part of any household’s budget is spent on food. Many people believe that healthy foods are expensive, but it is possible to eat smart on a budget. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) monitors food prices and calculates how much it costs to eat like MyPlate. SNAP benefits are calculated using this… Continue Reading Stretching Your Food Budget

How to Budget for Feeding Your Family

Budgeting for meals is an extremely important part of managing a household. But how do you know what a good amount is for your family? There are a few shortcuts to help you set a food budget that meets the MyPlate recommendations, evaluate the cost of recipes, and save money at the grocery store.

Price of Food at Farmers Markets

Farmers markets offer a wide variety of fresh, local fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats, baked goods and more. The quality of produce is generally unbeatable, as most fruits and veggies are picked at the peak of ripeness just days or even hours before you buy them. And many farmers selling at the market follow organic practices.… Continue Reading Price of Food at Farmers Markets

 

National Farmers Market Week 2015

Happy National Farmers Market Week! I hope you’ve had a chance to visit your local farmers market and taste the delicious fresh, Virginia Grown™ food available there. All summer long, we’ve been encouraging you, our loyal readers, and participants of our program to Eat Smart, Move More at Farmers Markets. Using SNAP at farmers markets… Continue Reading National Farmers Market Week 2015

 

Shopping in Bulk

When you use unit pricing to compare costs of different foods, you quickly learn that larger sizes are often a better buy. But there are a few things you should think about before you bring home that 30-pound bag of rice and case of canned tuna. Is It Worth It? Storage space– If you don’t… Continue Reading Shopping in Bulk