Not all food purchases are made in a grocery store!

**pollypurebred39** · 04-12-2011, 05:16 PM

Here's a website that may help. Lots of very good information. I thought maybe it might help someone with meal planning and budget.

Eat Well, Spend Less: Cutting the Budget on Whole Foods | Kitchen Stewardship | A Baby Steps Approach to Balanced Nutrition

**HappyMama** · 04-12-2011, 05:24 PM

Wonderful site Polly, I love her posts.

I have shopped very little at the grocery store this past yr. Mainly Co-op, farmers markets, farmers, farm shares, garden, produce auctions, whole grain organic bulk stores on line or otherwise on line ( Amazon, Tropical Traditions, ebay for my organic free trade coffee, Caouto 00, food service stores, warehouse type bulk stores.) Buying this way also allows me to get better quality grass fed meats in bulk as well. It has stretched my food budget and good quality much further then I could have hoped for. When I have gone to the store it is for very little, usually coupons in hand for the few products I buy like Franks hot sauce, toilet paper etc. I have a well stocked pantry and healthy foods. I can get whole grains, organic foods for pennies on the dollar, saving time and money.

In the summer I am busy with the garden and any produce I get to can, freeze , dehydrate to save time , money, nutrition, health for the fall and winter months to carry me over. I do also use cold storage and a root cellar, grow tables and cold frames in the fall and winter. I sprout as well. Blessings to all and their journey of stocking the pantry and cooking whole foods.