We have switched to a vegan diet and as I'm no longer buying meat I have room in my budget for plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. - 9/12/2011   11:17:48 PM

I buy in season as much as I can and watch for "specials" at the grocery store. A nearby apple orchard sells seconds for $8/bushel, and I like to buy those for canning or freezing applesauce and apple slices to use when they are not in season. Produce from the garden helps, and I am fortunate to have a sister who lives on a farm. Her husband plants sweetcorn with the planter he uses to plant field corn, and they share corn with the family for our freezers. We also have a Sam's Club nearby and a Kwik Trip gas station/convenience store with bananas for $.38/pound and milk in bags for $1.09/half-gallon. Our local grocery store gives a 10% senior discount on Tuesdays. - 9/11/2011   8:07:04 PM

Between growing veggies in the garden and having six fruit trees in the backyard, I think we're eating pretty healthy this year. Now I just have to deal with all that fruit at one time lol. - 9/10/2011   3:42:42 PM

Store brands and buying what is in season is how I save. My grocery bill has increased but I rather eat healthy it keeps me out of the doctors office. - 9/10/2011   2:31:42 PM

I see this as paying it forward; by eating healthier I have lost 25 pounds which lowered my blood pressure which took me off blood pressure medication which saves me $30 a month co-pay which I can spend on fruits and vegetables. To me its a win-win situation. - 9/10/2011   10:36:05 AM

Lots of farmers' markets now offer incentives if you shop there with SNAP funds - and even if you don't get SNAP, the markets are a great place to get fresh produce more cheaply than in a lot of stores. Shop at the end of the day and farmers are practically giving stuff away because it's easier than taking it back to the farm. - 9/10/2011   9:15:44 AM

I recently bought a FoodSaver to try and stop wasting so much food....I also have a dehydrator. My mother doesn't even want to give it a chance! She rather keep spending $ 500 on food a month and make me rationalize everything I put on the grocery list. I get so tired of fighting with her on food. If she had her way, I'd just do nutrisystem and shut up! What's wrong with making my own food and knowing what's in it? - 9/10/2011   8:54:15 AM

I save money by shopping at a local smaller market. The fruits and veggies may be wierd shapped and have a little more earth on them, but they taste just as good. I also buy what is on sale or seasonal. If things start to go bad I freeze them and use them later in sauces, soups or hot cereals and a lot of the veggies can be steamed for sides. - 9/10/2011   12:25:54 AM

Buying in bulk (grains, nuts, that sort of thing) has not only let me experiment and find out what we like/don't like has helped me out. I also stick to serving sizes. The food tracker really tuned me in to proper serving sizes.

I also buy dried greens. I think I'm doing myself a favor throwing in a handful of dried spinach into a soup along with some dried kelp.

I am by no means a vegetarian or health-food nut, but little changes do make nice differences! - 9/9/2011   5:23:24 PM

I always by frozen fruits and vegetables since they are much cheaper than fresh (I buy apples & bananas fresh), but the point is the FROZEN are FROZEN FRESH. They don't leave them sit around for a week before they process them.
The suggestions to go to several stores I don't believe in doing, since with $3.49/gal for gas, you can't save much if you are doing a lot of driving all over town. Walmart will honor any prices you have from other store flyers, so compare that way and save. - 9/9/2011   5:20:15 PM

Fresh fruits and veggies are usually what breaks my budget. What I do to help extend those dollars: buy frozen instead of fresh. Frozen is often better than canned (less sodium and no preservatives, plus I think frozen tastes better than canned) and I don't have to worry about anything going bad (as I would with fresh). Also, stock up on fresh produce when they are on sale/shop seasonally. - 9/9/2011   5:04:32 PM

I find eating healthy is cheaper than not. When I am eating badly all the extra chocolate and stuff adds lots of money on to my food bill.

My key things are to plan meals, bulk cook and freeze in portions, and always stick to a shopping list. - 9/9/2011   4:32:46 PM

Slow Food is having a $5 meal challenge on 9/17- one might find ideas there: www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/09/08/
food-us-fea-food-slow-food-challeng
e_8665417.html - 9/9/2011   3:17:56 PM