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What food do you put in your body? Organic? Processed? Diesel?
Our bodies require around 1,200 calories a day to power our brains, nervous system, and a small amount of corporal motivation. We constantly wade through obvious and less well-known purchasing options to get this fuel.
By knowing the differences between these options, you can maximize their value.
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SUPERMARKETS
Named King Kullen, the first supermarket offered a variety of items together that customers couldn’t find anywhere else. Today, this convenience still exists—but saving money requires some diligence.
Since the 40s, supermarkets have extensively used coupons. These discounts happen for many reasons, but big, non-coupon savings occur around seasonal changes or directly before/after large events or holidays. If cutting or printing coupons isn’t for you, see if your supermarket has a loyalty card. Signing up for these cards can provide instant savings at the time of check out.
Just remember that markets discount items to compete with each other and to move product nearing the end of its useable life. Paying attention when shopping this week might provide next week’s savings.
BODEGA/CONVENIENCE STORE
These small stores offer easy access to the staples but also a great oasis of snack and junky food—with an almost limitless selection of beverages, candy, fast food, coffee, and cigarettes.
Because these stores have extended hours, their late night and on-the-go options cost a premium. By planning ahead, you can save a significant amount on these items elsewhere.
Depending on your location, these stores can also function as a market for specific cuisines. The best and CHEAPEST avocado, fresh and dried peppers, and tortillas in my neighborhood all come from a convenience store about the size of my first dorm room. A little piece of Mexico, this market sells fresh, canned, and packaged foods and beverages not available anywhere else. Even better? Not far away is an equally amazing Korean market with an equally amazing selection.
LOCAL STORE
Because of supermarkets, we take specialized shops for granted. However, bakeries, butchers, and fish and cheese mongers have been making a strong resurgence by providing higher quality products, better customer service, and product knowledge.
These shopkeepers can provide high-end products at a decent price—but they may also help you discover a cheaper cut of meat or fish that fits your taste and budget. You might even be able to convince a baker to let you buy their leftover bread at a discount, if you don’t mind a little extra crunch.
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA)
My last post detailed the benefits of knowing your local farmer. However, farmers markets are only one way of buying direct from a local farmer.
Community Supported Agriculture is a locally based socio-economic model in which customers pay growers upfront for a season’s worth of produce. This process basically underwrites the farmer’s operations, allowing customers to purchase food at a massive discount. It also allows the farmers to grow a wider variety of items, because their customers know what they will get before the seasons begins.
With a little searching, you can easily find a local program for fruits and vegetables, as well as flowers, honey, eggs, dairy, pork, chicken, game, and other meats. Find a local CSA here!
WHICH MARKET HAS THE RIGHT FUEL FOR YOU?
There are many different ways to not only save money when buying food, but to also get higher quality goods at a discounted price.
Although supermarkets provide overall discount, you may be able to create relationships with smaller shops that give you more value for your dollar.
Where do you shop to maximize your budget? Let us know in the comments.
(Photo: goldberg/Flickr)