2. Buy flash-frozen fruits, vegetables, and fish. Flash freezing is a great way to preserve vitamins and minerals when vegetables and seafood are at their freshest.
3. Shop at your local farmers market. This may surprise you, but it's actually cheaper to get your veggies organic or at the local farmers' market than at the local supermarket.
4. Stick to your list. Make your meal plan and shopping list at home, and then stick to it.
5. Eat lots of beans and always soak your own. Beans are a great source of protein and fiber.
6. Buy in bulk. Costco® and other warehouse stores sell fruits and vegetables at ridiculously low prices—if you're willing to buy, say, 15 pounds of potatoes or 8 pounds of oranges at a time. Also, in many regions it is possible to pair up with another family or two and buy a portion of either a cow or a pig directly from a local farmer. In exchange, you will receive many, many neatly wrapped and labeled packages of meat. An extra freezer is necessary for this, but well worth the investment if you live in a region where such arrangements exist. Another huge benefit of this is that you know the animal was not raised on a factory feedlot. Therefore, the meat will likely be free from the steroids and antibiotics that plague grocery store bargain meat cuts.
7. Join a CSA. Community Supported Agriculture is another way to save money by cutting out the middleman.
8. Cut your consumption. Most restaurant entrées can easily feed two or three. So when you're out, either share a single entrée, or get half boxed for another meal. And at home, serve smaller portions on smaller plates. It won't take long at all before you're satisfied with sensible portions!
