Frugal Ideas

Talking with a friend who cooks for a large daycare, I learned a few of her food budget secrets--and it's her job to adhere to a strict budget! But she still has to prepare nutritious meals for the kids. How on earth does she do it? 

Here are 10 of her tips:

1. Buy fruits and vegetables through a local food cooperative. You may have one in your area and they are great, especially for folks who buy in quantity. You are literally saving big bucks going this route, supporting local farmers, reducing your carbon footprint by not buying something shipped in from the southernmost tip of South America, and eating organic produce that's in season.

2. When vegetables come in, prep them immediately. Depending on my friend's daycare meal plan she will dice up carrots, onions, celery; cut up lettuce for salads and/or sandwiches; and slice or dice potatoes and apples. She portions out what she'll need fresh for the week and whatever can freeze goes in the freezer. She thaws it out or adds it directly to her soups and stews when she needs it.

3. Keep an impeccably clean refrigerator to prevent food waste. An unorganized fridge means something hidden in the mess will go bad or you might unnecessarily purchase an ingredient for a meal. So keep it clean!

4. While you're at it, organize your pantry too. Cans or jars of food and packages of dry goods won't do you any good if you can't find them!

5. Hang onto empty cereal or cracker bags. Shake or rinse out any extra crumbs (dry bags thoroughly if rinsing out) and store them away for use when thawing frozen items or storing deli meats or cheeses.

6. Always factor in thawing time when freezing something. If you throw meat or some other food in the freezer when it's about to "turn," you can bet it will have "turned" by the time it thaws. 

7.  Purchase ice cube trays and pour sauces in them. After they freeze, pop them out of the tray and into a freezer container. Create a layer of them and put wax paper or plastic wrap in between each layer so they don't all stick together. Take out what you need and thaw.

8. Don't buy convenience mixes. Buy flour in bulk and make your own universal mix for biscuits, pancakes or cookies.

9.  Double up when making a meal so you have enough to freeze. You can thaw it and warm it up for a second meal later on. You'll save time (and the cost of cooking that second meal too).

 10. Save vegetable scraps for a worm bin or compost pile. If you are in the food services industry (like my friend at the daycare) you can always put the scraps in a bag and take them home with you. Worm bins and compost piles provide fantastic free fertilizer and a way to reduce your weekly trash output.

Brilliant and easy tips!