If you remember, one of my
New Year resolutions is to buy more local foods whenever possible.
Grocery shopping is one of those things where I really strive to make my money count. I have already mentioned the fact that my main grocery M.O. is buying frequently used products in bulk, but I have also discovered that buying local can often be both yummier and easier on your wallet.
There are major advantages to living in a rural area, and for me, I can use these resources more than someone who might live in a larger city, but I still recommend exploring your options. I don't buy local foods as often as I should, but that's why I have that as a resolution for next year.
As a general rule, I like buying certain things locally. For example, I don't have very good luck buying produce at mass market grocery stores. Usually, it goes moldy and nasty faster than I can use it, and it's so pricey. But, when farmer's markets are available, I can get fresher, homegrown produce at a fraction of the supermarket cost, and, for whatever the reason, it lasts longer. (I really need to master my canning skills so I can preserve more of what I bring home.)
I also buy as much meat as I can through local butchers. The quality is significantly higher, I can trace where the meat is coming from (and even visit the farms if I like), it's custom cut and packaged just for me, and they usually offer discounts for buying in bulk (which I love to do, of course). And, once again, it's better quality and cheaper than in the grocery store (as a general rule).
I buy spices locally and in bulk. There's a little grocery store in our area that is run by a Mennonite group, and they sell cheap, bulk spices. It is much cheaper to buy there than it is to buy the small containers at the chain stores. This same store also sells fresh baked goods, homemade jams (for WAY less than the generic jams at Walmart or the grocery store), and Amish made cheeses. They also sell bulk baking products, so I can both locally and in bulk.
I discovered that if I focus buying locally produced snacks, that we eat healthier in the process. After realizing that The Goob had developed an addiction to Lucky Charms, I made the goal to give him healthier snacks when I can. So, we found local fruit markets that sell dried fruits, trail mixes, etc., and he LOVES these new snack discoveries. I managed to snag bags and bags of healthy snacks--honey drops, loads of trail mix bags (with flavor themes like strawberries and cream, pomegranate and cherry, strawberry honey crunch, tropical Tahitian, etc.), dried fruits, chocolate and yogurt covered cranberries, sweet potato chips, crystallized ginger...the haul was insane--all for $19.
I love locally grown eggs, though they ARE pricier than their store counterparts, but they lack that egg-y aftertaste you get with store eggs.
So, this is a goal for my new year. I can support small business, save some cash, and eat yummier, higher quality food. Wish me luck!
