This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

How to Reduce the Impact of Rising Food Costs

Shop smarter to reduce the impact of rising food costs.

The “Food at home” index of the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index Summary has risen 6 percent over the past 12 months. A large part of the increase in food prices can be attributed to growing demand in emerging markets, which has led to higher prices for corn, rice and sugar.

So, what can you do to help minimize the effect of rising food costs from spoiling your budget? Consider the following:

  • Make a list of what you need before you head to the store. Taking time up front to create a menu for the week and then buying only the items on your grocery list can help you avoid impulse purchases. It may also reduce the amount you spend at the store and the volume of spoiled or expired food you toss out at home.
  • Clip coupons or sign up for online sites that enable you to print them. To help you take advantage of coupons and to help you find the best values, consider using free or subscription sites that compare store prices, such as couponmom.com or thegrocerygame.com.
  • Shop farmers markets, which often have fresher produce at lower costs than grocery stores—in part because they offer in-season fruits and vegetables. Also, because the food is locally-grown it costs less to transport. Check out the Rockville Farmers Market every Wednesday and Saturday through the fall.
  • Buy fresh foods. Typically, the more a food is processed and packaged, the more it costs. Shop the outside perimeter of your grocery store. This is typically where the fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats and baked goods are located.
  • Compare unit prices. Often included on the in-store shelving price tag, this price can help you identify the best value—and the larger size isn’t always it. For example, you may find a two-pound package of strawberries for $5.99. Yet, if the one-pound packages of strawberries are on sale at two for $5, that offers you the best value.
  • Buy in bulk and split the items and the cost with a family member or friend. This is especially beneficial if you like the prices offered at national warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club, but can’t typically consume the quantity of their items before they expire.

Find out what's happening in Rockvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?