Winter is Coming, but Your Food Costs Don’t Have To: A Guide

ByMercedes Diane Griffin Forbes

People are complaining about the rising cost of food in the US everywhere you go. In the United States, the monthly cost of feeding one person is about $342.11. According to NUMBEO, the average cost of food per person is $11.04 each day.

Although there have been attempts to alleviate this pain, such as increasing SNAP benefits and increasing federal funding for community food programs, it’s still often difficult for people to meet their food budget needs.

Additionally, everyone can’t participate in these programs and many still find themselves feeling the pinch at the grocery store.

To help us deal with the rising cost of food, I’m speaking with industry leaders to discuss solutions. Food Industry Leader and Activist, Renee Guilbault, shared with me her advice on how to serve nutritious and delicious meals, while being cost-conscious. Here’s what she suggested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m-PjeuGIek
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Ways to Cut Food Cost

  • In restaurants, skip avocado and other add-ons and go for drip coffee instead of signature hot beverages.  Also look for meal-period specials or more affordable restaurant options. 
  • At home, make breakfast for dinner. “Omelettes for dinner with a fresh, bright salad and good toasty bread with butter are a family favorite,” says Renee. “Hard boiled eggs can dress up even the most boring of lunch salads. Scrambled eggs with guacamole and beans, poached eggs in beef stew (a la oeuf en meurette), or simply soft-boiled.”
  • She also recommends making a whole roasted chicken along with a pan of roasted vegetables. Both are inexpensive, easy prep and easy to cook, and offer both quality and quantity. The bones from the chicken can be repurposed for soup, and leftover chicken can be used in salads, burritos, tacos, or simply reheated.

Food is core to who we are, and we all know that it’s a horrible feeling to not be able to afford the foods we love. As you go into 2023, I hope these tips help you find more budget-friendly ways to enjoy great meals.

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