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College 101: Grocery Shopping
College 101: What to Eat
For recipes and tips, check out Canada’s Food Guide
Fruits & Vegetables
Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is the way to go. Fresh and frozen are both good options.
Drink Water First
Make water your drink of choice. It’s free, hydrating, and will help you to think more clearly.
Comfort Food
If you are feeling homesick, eating foods and recipes that you like can help give you comfort. Asking friends and family for their virtual help with cooking these dishes can help you feel more connected to home.
Food that is Safe to Eat
Preparing, cooking and storing food properly helps to avoid food poisoning.
Protein and Fat
Including lean or plant-based proteins, and unsaturated fats in each meal and snack will help keep you energized and full longer.
Home Cooked Food
Avoiding processed, store-bought or takeout food can save you money. Home-cooked meals can be much healthier as they are often lower in sodium and saturated fats.
If you need support in accessing food, The SSU Food First program can help
College 101: How to Meal Plan & Grocery Shop
For more tips, check out the nutrition section of “How do I take better care of myself"
Get Organized
Get Shopping
Get Prepping
Get Cooking
Find Recipes You Like
Finding recipes that you enjoy cooking and eating is key in planning meals that you will look forward to preparing and eating. Ask friends and family members for suggestions.
Create a Shopping List
Go shopping with a list of what you need to make your meals for the week on a budget. Apps can help you get organized and provide you with ideas.
Get the Basics
Look for staple foods (fruit and vegetables, pasta, rice, grains, legumes and milk products) that you will use for multiple meals or recipes. Sale items and generic brands are good options for saving money.
Cook in Large Batches
Making a large batch of a recipe and then freezing or portioning into smaller meals is a great way to eat healthily and save money. It also takes the work out of meal prepping because you are only cooking once.
College 101: How to Save Money on Grocery Shopping
Make a Shopping List & Stick to it
Making a list before hand is one of the simplest ways to save money. Often, we end up buying things we don’t need, only to have them go to waste later. Make a list according to your needs before you go to the grocery stores and stick to it.
Buy Food You Can Use in Multiple Meals
Staples like rice, beans, pasta and flour as well as flavor boosters like garlic and ginger can be used to cook multiple meals. These ingredient lists can help you make a variety of recipes and stretch your dollar.
Price Match
Some stores that price match will reduce their price of product to match the lower advertised price from another store. Just show them a digital copy on your phone at check out. Use the Flipp App to find deals.
Reward Programs
Sign up for free rewards that are available at most grocery chains such as Save-On Foods, or PC Optimum card, which modifies deals according to your purchase.
College 101: More Ways to Save Money on Grocery Shopping
The Lower Shelves
Did you know your best saving deals are hiding at the bottom shelves? Shelves that are at the eye level are prime real estate, so companies pay to have their products displayed at those shelves. Just look a little lower to find great deals.
Affordable Store Options
Not all grocery stores charge the same amount for the same product. These stores tend to have lower prices:
No Frills
FreshCo
Giant Tiger
Food Basics
Walmart
Real Canadian Superstore
Student Discounts
Some stores offer student discounts on specific days.
For example, at Bulk Barn students are eligible for a 15% discount every Wednesday! Student ID required.
Farmer’s Market
Tips to save money shopping at a Farmer’s Market:
Go near closing time
Get a quantity deal if you buy in bulk
Buy seasonal produce
Local Farmer’s Markets
Dorval Crossing Civitan Farmer’s Market
Brampton Farmers' Market
Lakeview Farmers' Market
College 101: Ethnic Grocery Stores
Davis Campus-Brampton
Indian Grocery
Subzi Mandi McLaughlin & RayLawson
Indian Punjabi Bazaar Inc
East Asian/Pan-Asian Grocery
Fresh Win Foodmart
Oceans Fresh Food Market
African Grocery
Naomi African Food Market
Folak African Foods
Middle Eastern Grocery
Shukran Halaal Meat
Kabul Farm Supermarket
Latin Grocery
La Favorito Market
Kabul Farm Supermarket
College 101: Ethnic Grocery Stores
HMC Campus-Mississauga
Indian Grocery
Mr. India Grocers
India Town Supermarket
East Asian/Pan-Asian Grocery
T&T Supermarket
Yuan Ming Supermarket
African Grocery
African Caribbean Grocery
Naomi African Food Market
Middle Eastern Grocery
Adonis
Alnejmah Fine Foods
Latin Grocery
Fiesta Wholesale Inc
Rincon De Espana Inc
College 101: Ethnic Grocery Stores
Trafalgar Campus-Oakville
Indian Grocery
East Indian Supermarket
Lakshmi Stores Inc
East Asian/Pan-Asian Grocery
Famijoy Supermarket
Galleria Supermarket
African Grocery
Dominion Foods: African, Caribbean and Tropical Foods Inc
Kaf African Caribbean Market Inc
Middle Eastern Grocery
Freshway Market
Freshway Market Plus
Latin Grocery
Nostalgia Latin Market
Rincon De Espana Inc
