cost of food

• Compare food prices on the Internet, e.g. mysupermarket.com,
• Buy foods from low-cost supermarkets.
• Choose supermarket own brands or value lines which are cheaper

  than other brands.
• Take careful advantage of 'special offers"in the shops, e.g. buy one get one free or half price.These are especially good for fruit and vegetables and encourage people to include a greater variety in their diet. However, don't be tempted to buy products you don't need - or that you know you can't consume within the use-by date-as these will be wasted, making the deal less cost-effective
• Use coupons, vouchers or collect loyalty points from shops
• Plan your meals before you go shopping, and stick to the list.
• Avoid buying more food than you need, check dates on food and eat by the 'use-by' or 'best before' date to avoid waste
• Buy foods that are in season locally, when they are cheaper, because they are plentiful and have lower transport costs.
• Plan meals so that leftovers from making one meal can be used fo another, e.g. use leftover carrots from a casserole to make carrot and coriander soup
• Use cheaper cuts of meat and offal such as liver, belly pork, breast of lamb and beef brisket.
• Use quick methods of cooking, e.g. microwave, to reduce the amount of energy used.
• Make food in large batches to avoid ingredients being wasted and then freeze for use at a later date, e.g. chilli con carne or Bolognese.
• Use leftover food to create meals, e.g. mashed potato to make the filling for a corned beef pie or fish cakes.
• Make meals at home rather than buying takeaway foods and ready meals , which can be more expensive, especially if cooking for a family,