Think your food dollar doesn't go as far as it used to? You're right. In fact, for many people, rising food costs are creating a significant household hardship. It would be one thing if skyrocketing costs meant that we needed to forgo extravagant delicacies at the family dinner table. Unfortunately, staples like bread, milk, cereal, meat, poultry, and eggs are hardest hit.
There are a number of reasons for the crunch, including oil prices that cause the cost of food production and transportation to rise significantly. It's also a factor that corn prices have more than doubled and soybean prices nearly tripled recently, thanks in part to the boost in ethanol and biodiesel. Weather disasters have devastated some crops, and a weak U.S. dollar and high global demand for food all figure into the higher bottom line.
The outlook for food prices isn't promising, but that doesn't mean you need to sacrifice at the dinner table. While you may need to make some minor adjustments in your menu planning, shopping, and cooking habits, there's no need to forgo either flavor or health while tightening your food budget. In fact, by stocking up on some basic staples, seasonal produce, and spices, you can serve your family meals that are delicious, healthful, and frugal.
Here's how:
* Stock and season those staples! Not only are basic, natural foods—like whole grains and beans—inexpensive, they're versatile. Take rice, for example: flavor with basil, garlic, and ginger, and serve as a bed for in-season veggies. Or cook leftover rice with black pepper, chives, carrots, peas, an egg and soy sauce for quick and easy fried rice. Use it as the basis of a vegetable, meat, seafood, or poultry casserole, seasoned liberally with a favorite spice, like marjoram, or gently with a more pungent spice like cilantro or cayenne. Make rice burgers by combining the cooked rice with shredded cheese, an egg, garlic and oregano. Toss small amounts in your cup of soup or stew, along with a pinch of cumin, or make a lively tarragon rice salad. And stir up some aromatic rice pudding, flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
Experiment with other grains (like millet, quinoa, and barley), and take a similar approach with beans. Make a big batch of a favorite bean and use it to make casseroles, soups and stews, stir-fries, veggie burgers and loaves. Toss on salads and blend to make dips and spreads—all liberally seasoned with spices for maximum flavor.
* Enhance your standard fare. You may already be serving the most economical foods but be feeling less than inspired by the same-old, same-old. If that's the case, turn to your spice rack. Become a "seasoned chef" by learning which spices go best with which foods—from produce to grains and beans, from sandwiches to side salads and from soups and casseroles to hot breakfast cereals and desserts.
A simply stir fry, for example —made with seasonal produce and a favorite, inexpensive grain—is easily transformed into a special dish with a variety of spices. Serve it seasoned with Thai seasonings like coriander and cloves, for example, or with a Mexican mix of chili powder and garlic, oregano and cumin. Or use Indian seasonings, like garam masala, and you've transformed the dish once again. Even ordinary omelets and whole-grain pasta dishes (both healthful and inexpensive choices) can easily be enlivened with an array of spices. And don't forget leftovers! Re-seasoned and served when the clock is ticking too quickly, leftovers can prevent costly (and often unhealthful) food expenditures.
For ultimate convenience and seasoning savvy, use ready-to-add seasoning blends. Add an authentic ethnic touch (Mexican Seasoning, Herbs of Italy, Curry Powder, Cajun Seasoning, etc.) or season specialty fare (Barbecue Seasoning, Pizza Seasoning, Shrimp 'N Crab Boil, Apple Pie Spice, etc.) with a single seasoning that takes the guess work out of getting the right spice combination.
* Rely on local, seasonal produce. If you like to garden, this might be a good time to expand your crop, Victory-Garden style. Or you may want to join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, which will enable you to harvest fresh produce while supporting your local farmer. And of course you'll want to schedule a regular trip to the farmer's market to pick up what's in season, to serve fresh or to put up for later months. At the very least, be sure to shop for the most seasonal produce (which will be the freshest and the most economical) at your local food store.
* Buy in bulk. You know the benefit of comparing unit costs while shopping. Well, purchasing food in bulk quantities allows you to reap the very best unit costs. Shop at your local natural food store, where you can buy exactly the amount you want of each bulk item. Or buy food items in bulk online for real convenience. Many of the foods you'll purchase store well, but you might also get together with friends and order bulk quantities of less-needed items and split them into more manageable quantities.
In addition to herbs and spices, we sell a wide array of baking and cooking ingredients in bulk, such as cocoa powder, milk powder, baking soda, baking powder, and baking yeast; as well as other cooking ingredients like beans, grains and seeds, and dried fruits and vegetables.
* Polish your cooking skills. Once you've mastered the basics, consider expanding your repertoire. Dive into a new ethnic cuisine—like Mediterranean or Cajun or food—or develop your own special recipes. Cooking can be a wonderfully creative outlet rather than a daily chore, and it can save you substantial amounts of money on your food budget when it replaces restaurant meals and convenience foods.
* Look for more frugal substitutions. Replacing soda and other expensive drinks with homemade iced tea, for example, is an easy way to save and provide better nourishment. Vary the tea—black, green, herbal—as well as the sweetener, if desired. Embellish with fresh fruits. And be sure to try your hand at developing your own custom blends; try a variety of teas, or mix tea with lemonade or juice.
* Choose organic fare when possible. Even when it's a bit more expensive, organic is a good investment in your health and in the environment. Try to especially avoid the foods highest in pesticide residues, such as peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, lettuce, and potatoes. The Organic Center (an excellent source of the latest scientific information on organics) has created a downloadable pocket guide to reducing pesticide exposure that lists the domestic and imported fruits and vegetables that pose the greatest pesticide risk. It's handy to have along when shopping.
So there is a silver lining. Rising food prices may help us more conscientiously choose the food we serve, encourage us to give more thought to meal preparation, support our efforts to reduce waste, enrich our lives by polishing our cooking skills, and boost our appreciation of the foods we eat—all while trimming the food budget.
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