Food for thought As the cost of living continues to soar, we’re here to help anyone feeling the pinch to look at ways to feed their family in the most cost-effective way
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s we recover from the pandemic of the last two years there was always going to be economic fallout and now seems to be the time most of us are going to feel it. National Insurance costs have risen, the cost of living is still climbing, fuel prices are breaking records and of course our energy bills are increasing at a terrifying rate. Here at Shire we’re not pretending to be experts in finance, and can’t claim to offer the proper support and advice that sadly many people will need, but if there is one subject close
“help you rethink your eating and feeding habits in light of these financially tricky times” to our hearts that we can help you with it’s food. You know we champion and celebrate local producers and suppliers across the food industry whenever we can so we thought we’d put a few pages together that might help you rethink your eating and feeding habits in light of these financially tricky times. When it comes to making your money go further and feeding a family on a budget, there are some great sources of advice and support across the Shire patch. One brilliant organisation - that is associated with the Citizens Advice Bureau – is the Shropshire Larder, a non-profit group with the aim of bringing local networks and foodies together to make sure people are eating well, and eating smart. They have shared the following hints and tips with Shire.
DID YOU KNOW? The UK throws away around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste in a single year, and one third of all food produced is lost or wasted
80 SHIRE MAGAZINE | May/June 2022
Buy it right... As prices increase it can be really difficult to keep down the costs of your food shop. The Shropshire Larder experts have shared their top tips for getting the best bargains in the first place when shopping on a budget. 1.
Write a meal plan before you go shopping Check what you already have in the cupboard, then plan your meals for the week to use up these ingredients. 2. Don’t be afraid to substitute Recipes are just ideas. If you already have a similar ingredient – use it rather than buying something new. 3. Write a list and stick to it Supermarkets are experts in getting customers to buy more than they need or try new products. Shopping with a list means that you can focus on buying exactly what you need, with no money wasted. 4. Investigate the tinned aisle Tinned food lasts longer and tinned fish, potatoes and fruit are usually all cheaper than buying fresh. 5. Buy frozen vegetables Frozen vegetables cheaper, are often pre-chopped and don’t end up going limp in the bottom of your fridge. 6. Get on your knees Supermarkets plan their layouts very carefully, with their standard and premium products at eye level. Value branded items tend to be near the floor, so make sure you look down. 7. Downshift one brand at a time Be price conscious. If there is a cheaper version of your usual item, give it a go. You might be surprised that there is very little difference in taste. 8. Take a walk Don’t just stick to the supermarket. Walk around your area and see what else is available. Some foods can be cheaper in smaller shops. 9. Buying in bulk doesn’t always mean it’s cheaper Check the price per 100g. 10. Take a pen or calculator with you Add up your basket as you go around the shop to keep track of how much you are spending.
