With some food prices likely to go up next year as a result of this summer’s drought, now is a good time to start thinking about how to stretch your food dollar but still provide your family with healthy, nutritious food.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just released a new guide and website called “Good Food on a Tight Budget.” EWG reviewed government surveys and tests for nearly 1,200 foods, looking at nationwide food prices, nutrients, pesticides, environmental pollutants and artificial ingredients and picked the top 100 or so foods that ranked best on balance. The prices you see in the store depend on the season and where you live, so look for the best local buys.
The guide has simple tips for eating well, quick lists of best foods, tasty recipes, easy tools for tracking food prices and planning your weekly menu, and a blank shopping list to help you stay on budget. Their resources page has handy information on ways to supplement your food budget, find farmers markets, cooking and gardening references and more.
Another great way to make sure you’re getting the most from your food budget is to avoid wasting food – the average American throws away between $28-43 in the form of about 20 pounds of food each month. Learn more about how to prevent food loss in this Natural Resources Defense Council fact sheet (PDF).