Cheap Store Food

[nodakfan17]

You can add sub sandwiches to the list of cheap meals. When you assemble them yourself, they are fairly inexpensive and incredibly filling. I'll buy a loaf of bread, a package of turkey, and brick of cheese at the start of the week and get 4 or 5 meals out of it.

 

I also save money by purchasing vegetables from salad bars. Large bags of veggies (or even small ones, for that matter) tend to expire faster than I can eat them. $2 at the salad bar gets me a weeks worth of vegetables.

[brewdude15]

I avoid produce at Walmart like the plague. There are fruit flies everywhere. Walmart has its uses but selling fruits and vegetables isn't one of them

I second this statement. I went in a few weeks ago to buy some grapes, and every single bag had flies crawling on it.

[Godspeed]

I was just amazed my wife could tell the difference between Dean and any store brand like Piggly Wiggly or Roundy's or whatever.

 

Dean's milk is from cows that are rBGH (growth hormone) free and have been for quite some time now. Maybe that's it.

[valpocrewsader]

I am trying to come up with a list of cheap meals. So far I have:

.

Grilled Cheese, Toast, Rice, Spaghetti, Tuna, Hot dogs, Boneless Chicken, Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches, Mac n Cheese, and Ramen. What else is there?

Banquet pot pies. 85 cents for a 380 calorie dish of turkey (or beef, or chicken), vegetables, gravy, and flakey crust. Right now they're on sale at Pick n Save for 60 cents.

[pretendastronaut]

What I need help finding is Milk that's been made by Cows that are grass feed. I know the price will be higher, but I'm fine with that. You are what you eat right?

 

Grass fed beef has taken awhile to start showing up in the Milwaukee area reliably, but I've never seen milk from cow's that were grass fed. My guess is that you won't find it either, at least not in Wisconsin, because they can't be fed that way all year. Beyond that, it's different for beef who can just be kept in the pasture through the course of their life, while a dairy cow will need to be milked twice daily. The farms I worked on, the cows spend their idle time in pasture or in the lot, and when you bring them in for milking you feed them then as well. Exclusively grass fed for dairy may not exist.

I'm not a good person for tips on how to eat for insanely cheap. To echo a few of the people in this thread, a lot of the food that is cheap in a grocery store is not in any way good for us. There are some good cheap items like frozen veggies and such that were stated, but for the most part, I've given up most things in the aisles of my grocery store and live off the things surrounding the grocery store, bakery, deli, butcher, veggies. It's not cheaper most of the time, but it tastes better, because it's actually food.

I'm split on the generic versus non-generic being the same exact thing. I'd be curious how often that is true honestly. I grew up on Aldi's, and about a year ago I was at a friend's house. He made a frozen pizza and the second I bit into it, I knew it was an Aldi's pizza, even though I hadn't had it in years. At the same time, I know repacking happens in several industries, not just food. I should look up info on this subject sometime.

If anyone shops at Sendik's, I do love that they started selling their own deli meat. It tastes great and it's nitrate free.

[sargennm]

First, this is a really weird, but at the same time interesting and informative thread.

 

Second, for cheap produce check out the farmers markets in your area. Often the produce is much, much cheaper (and I would argue better tasting) than even stores like Aldi. My wife likes to buy a thing of honey along with our fruit at the local farmers market down here in StL. Drizzle a little over the fruit: It's actually really good for those of us with a sweet tooth.

[JJHardy7]

A guy I work with is in a co-op and gets his milk, eggs, and random vegetables from Amish farm. He's all about the way the cows are fed. I haven't tried the milk at all, but I have bought some eggs and vegetables from him and I must say it's a huge difference from the store. They are lot cheaper and IMO a lot better tasting.

[Godspeed]

A guy I work with is in a co-op and gets his milk, eggs, and random vegetables from Amish farm. He's all about the way the cows are fed. I haven't tried the milk at all, but I have bought some eggs and vegetables from him and I must say it's a huge difference from the store. They are lot cheaper and IMO a lot better tasting.

That reminds me...

 

Growing Power - Market Baskets

 

Those that are in the Milwaukee, Madison or Chicago areas are able to utilize this option. Growing Power is a recognized leader in urban farming, and is headquartered at 55th & Silver Spring on the north side of Milwaukee. My wife and I got a basket one week this summer and were somewhat overwhelmed. It was definitely a lot of food for the price. A good bargain and good quality, too. Not sure why we're not still doing it.

[pretendastronaut]

What livestock is fed has a tremendous difference on the products we get from them, not only in taste and color, but also nutritionally. Grass-fed beef/bison is higher in protein, vitamin E and healthy fats, while lower in saturated fats. Free-roaming chickens produce eggs that are higher in protein as well, and the color is noticeably better. The color of the shell isn't really supposed to tell you anything about the quality of the egg inside, but there is a tremendous difference in the look of an egg that was cage-free and free-roaming.

Who could have known feeding animals by-products of other dead animals wasn't a good idea?

And I second the link to Growing Power. Will Allen is a really impressive man. If you've never stopped by Growing Power I recommend checking it out.

I also tried to do a bit of research today on the generic versus store brand issue, to see how much of it is really the same product with a different label. I know this is a prevailing belief in our society by many, but I was hoping to find something to bear it out more. So far almost everything I've seen online states the same thoughts that are in this thread, but without anything to actually support that notion, it's just a statement. I did find one article that at least references a Consumer Reports study, and says this:

Of the thousands of manufacturers of store brands, many are national-brand companies. But, neither retailers nor big-brand manufacturers are anxious to reveal that information, and you won't find any clues on product labels. That doesn't mean that national brands simply change the label on the same products. They sometimes manufacture a different type of product to be sold as a store brand, and even if it's the same type, they make it to the store's own specifications, which could mean a change in ingredients or quality.

Full Article

[hawing]

We've had a CSA (community supported agriculture) share for almost 10 years now. We split the share with one of my co-workers, so we get a box of organic produce every other week, May through December. It's sometimes a little much for our two person household, but I blanch and freeze a lot of vegetables.

[NeedMoreFans]

I also tried to do a bit of research today on the generic versus store brand issue, to see how much of it is really the same product with a different label.

I think some are re-labeled, but some are made by the "generic" company. Wal-Mart approached the company my sister works for, and essentially is going to pay them to re-label the product as "Sam's Choice." But a good friend of mine works for a grocery chain, and he says their store brands are unique...they try to emulate the name-brands as closely as possible, but it's not just a re-label.

[mothershipconnection]

I also tried to do a bit of research today on the generic versus store brand issue, to see how much of it is really the same product with a different label. I know this is a prevailing belief in our society by many, but I was hoping to find something to bear it out more. So far almost everything I've seen online states the same thoughts that are in this thread, but without anything to actually support that notion, it's just a statement.

 

Most of it is anecdotal: and if the belief is true, it's easy to understand why brand names want to keep it a secret. I do know people who've worked in plants that would shut the line down and then start it up to pump the same product into a different container, but it was vegetables and maybe soup or something else canned, so I don't know how wide-spread it is.

[ewizabeff]

Growing Power offers market baskets all year round. We got one in spring (April maybe?) and it was filled with off-season fruits and vegetables that appeared to be shipped in from all over. An orange in a WI market basket, really?

 

Now, after taking some time to understand growing seasons and produce and whatnot, I understand that it was silly to try to buy a market basket that time of year - I honestly don't know why it was even offered as an option if there was hardly any local produce to distribute.

 

Sgtcluels and I have been looking into getting a CSA share for next year - it's just that you have to pay for most or all of it up front, and that can be a lot of cash to come up with in the winter for groceries you'll get in the summer/fall. We'll see though.

[dadofandrew]

Like MS, I've worked with folks who worked in cheese plants, bottled water packaging, and canned veggies, and they did nothing more than shut off the line, change the label, and turn it back on.

[Buckylovesbeer]

I worked as summer help for Hillshire Farms, who makes sausage and lunch meat. Same thing. They make many different brands and just change the label at the end of the line......

 

I understand that this is not always the case, but it obviously happens a lot in the food industry

[tristarscoop]

I have to say that it's possible to be frugal without having to live on pre-packaged meals, ramen, spaghetti and mac and cheese.

 

You have to do your research and you have to be willing to spend when sales come up.

 

For example, these days its impossible to find ground beef on sale at Pick N' Save that's more than 80% lean, which isn't very good. One pound of that will cook down considerably and you'll lose all that fat on the bottom of the pan.

 

It's also about being willing to get into the kitchen. If chicken is on sale, you have to know how to cook it different ways so that you don't feel like you're eating the same thing every day. Check out foodnetwork.com, borrow cookbooks from friends. There's a new trend toward partially home-made cooking where you use some pre-packaged pieces and end up with a home cooked meal. These are great for new cooks.

 

We have a Costco card and we usually only go there once a month, but it's still worth it. When we go, we stockpile on meat. For example, the last time we went we bought a pound of huge Gulf prawns for $10 and that was two meals for two people. Add that to pasta with fresh herbs and a tomato and you have a luxurious feeling meal for like $3 a person.

 

We may spend $100 when we go, but we are getting food to last all month and longer. They sell a giant bag of frozen organic green beans that are tasty, easy to cook, last forever and are like $6/bag. Instead of having salty, mushy canned veggies, we get what feels like a fresh side dish.

 

Invest in good freezer bags so you can portion out big purchases of meat and freeze them.

 

Tonight I had a meal of honey glazed chicken, rice a roni and a simple cold salad of cucumbers, tomatoes and onions herbed with cilantro and basil from our own pots (and trust me, I'm no green thumb.) At the outside, that was a $5/person meal.

 

The best suggestion is to talk to parents and grandparents. Your grandparents lived through the Depression and fed families that tend to be larger than the ones we have today and usually on one salary, as grandma probably was a stay-at-home mom. They have great suggestions and tips for stretching meals. And if you don't have access to grandparents, some of that info was already passed on to your parents. Ask them.

 

Your parents don't cook? I bet at least one of your friend's moms does. Don't be afraid to ask.

[pretendastronaut]

I have no doubt re-lableing happens, I was just curious as to the scale. I worked in electronics when I was younger, and it would happen there as well. Same exact television, but with a different brand name on it, and it's $50 less.

 

I agree with tristarscoop, buying the right items at the right time, and learning to store properly in the freezer is the best tool I have. You have to be careful though because most of the time sales on one item are meant to make you buy another item that they may up the price on. A sale on cereal will likely lead to more milk being sold, so they can get some of that cost back on the price of milk.

 

And since I actually took time to learn to cook several years ago now, it opens a lot more doors. Getting your hands dirty can save a lot of money, even just buying chicken breast with the bone-in and skin on is cheaper, plus more flavorful, you just have to be willing to clean it yourself. Better yet, save more money by purchasing a whole chicken and using it.

 

I'm a owner at Outpost, which is generally more expensive, but what I love about them is their sales are normally very hefty, typically $1-$2 off an item when it's on sale, versus 20¢-30¢ at most places. I really only buy a handful of local items and other good sale items there, and stock up on them.

 

And speaking of canned veggies and such, it reminded me of this. I made almost all the food our twins ate when they were at the baby food stage, instead of store bought. Like canned veggies, baby food is cooked to death and sealed, so it can sit on a shelf for long periods, which totally ruins the flavor and color. This is a picture from the first time I made peas for the boys, versus Gerber Organic Peas. Crazy.

 

http://www.ishouldhavebeenanastronaut.com/transfer/peas.jpg

[ewizabeff]

What kind of stuff do you buy at Outpost? We live near one, and I've been considering a membership - just don't know what's worth it to buy there (so far I've discovered that Brown Cow yogurt is cheaper than other stores).

[pretendastronaut]

Ya, it's funny, I do my grocery shopping between Outpost and Sendik's in Whitefish Bay, and some things are cheaper at both locations, I really had to pay attention, because sometimes it's a 50¢ difference or more. I really only joined Outpost at first because I was making our baby food and wanted organic fruits and vegetables, and more local. So my shopping pattern with Outpost is weird, because they're not my primary grocery store.

 

The things I typically grab at Outpost are a variety of produce, depending on what is on a member's special normally. When the boys were on baby food it was great, I once got a 5lb. bag of organic carrots on member special for $3. That made a lot of baby food. They have a lot of local produce which is nice. They typically put a sign up telling you if it's from Wisconsin and how many miles it traveled. However, since they tend to get more produce locally, if things aren't in season, you're less likely to see it at Outpost versus other grocery stores.

 

I don't typically buy meat at Outpost, largely because Sendik's has such a great meat department and Outpost is lacking since it's such a smaller segment of their customer base.

 

There are some Wisconsin based products there that I love, including yogurt (Sugar River Dairy, which is near where I grew up) and eggs (I typically get Yuppie Hill). Those I don't know if I've ever seen on sale, but that's fine, I enjoy supporting those smaller farmers and the products are very good. I've gotten some good cheeses there as well.

 

They make their own peanut butters, cashew butter, etc, which I get there because it's quite a bit cheaper if you buy things like cashew or almond butter. And it's just the nut and some oil, nothing else.

 

Organic frozen vegetables are often on sale and I stock up on those.

 

Santa Cruz apple sauce is cheaper there and in more varieties and we give the boys this a lot.

 

Those are the things I tend to always look for/grab there. Outside of that I tend to go around and see if something is on sale and if I could use it or like the price.

[hawing]

Sugar River Dairy? That's near where I went to high school...and they do have good yogurt.

The Sentry store nearest my house touts its local food and posts signage saying how many miles food traveled to get to Hilldale. We do shop there when our grocery list is too short to justify the time of going to Woodman's.

[Eileen Wright]

Just want to remind everyone that today is the last day to buy Bob Uecker's favorite mustard, Silver Spring Beer and Brat Mustard, at a buy one, get one free price at your local Pick N' Save!

[Diskono]

Just want to remind everyone that today is the last day to buy Bob Uecker's favorite mustard, Silver Spring Beer and Brat Mustard, at a buy one, get one free price at your local Pick N' Save!

Already being discussed here. That thread must not be allowed to die.

[DuWayne Steurer]

Just want to remind everyone that today is the last day to buy Bob Uecker's favorite mustard, Silver Spring Beer and Brat Mustard, at a buy one, get one free price at your local Pick N' Save!

This has to be an attempt at a joke, or you work for Pic n Save. C'mon, which is it?

[pretendastronaut]

Read the thread Diskono linked RoCoBrewfan. Edit: Never mind, you already did.

[burniebrewer]

The Sentry store nearest my house touts its local food and posts signage saying how many miles food traveled to get to Hilldale.

That store made me feel claustrophobic. If you meet another cart in an aisle, you're screwed, someone's getting bumped. I can't imagine what it's like on a semi-busy day. However, I must say, I'm used to stores that are a *bit* bigger.