Save up to 50% on Groceries… I’ll show you how!

If you need a little extra help with groceries, there are a couple different ways to get more bang for your buck without applying for food stamps or obsessively couponing.

The following two programs offer discounted groceries with no strings attached.  The food is purchased from the same companies that your local grocery stores use.  They are not giving you old, outdated food.

1 – SHARE Iowa began in 1992 and states in the local paper: “If you eat, you qualify!” You’re expected to do two hours of community service in exchange for the discount.  The volunteering options are many!  You could do some work with your church, help the SHARE program, knit for a non-profit group, or even call a sick neighbor.  They currently serve around 8000 Iowan’s per month, but would love to serve more!  (Note:  There are many other SHARE programs in the US – not just Iowa!)

2 – AngelFood Ministries is a nationwide program that was founded in 1994.  The main difference between this program and Share Iowa is that you do not have to volunteer.  This group also takes food stamps.  Their main “box” is $30 but is worth approximately $65 based on the national average price of food, and will feed a family of four for one week!  There is no limit to the number of boxes you can purchase.

Here’s what’s available for the month of June (descriptions can be found HERE):

• Signature box – $30
• Senior Citizen’s / Convenience box (10 heat and eat meals) – $28
• Allergen free box – $25
• Seafood box – $35
• 7 lb assorted meat/grill box – $23
• 4.5 lb Meat and Chicken Combo box – $22
• 11 lb. Chicken Combo box – $22
• Fresh Fruit and Veggie Box – $22
• “Latin Flavors” Fruit and Veggie Box – $22

3 – Grow your own fruits and veggies from seed and make baked goods from scratch.  This is by far the cheapest way to get food!

4 – You may find some good deals from vendors willing to barter more if you visit your local farmer’s market late in the day.  As I was leaving a large downtown farmer’s market, I was handed three loafs of bread from a vendor.  I refused at first to which he replied, “Please take it for free, I have so much left over today and I don’t have room for it at home.”  It was delicious!

So, that was just a small list to get you started.  If you have any other ideas you’d like to suggest, please do so!