I think not. And I've partnered with the awesome Jenn Campus (aka The Leftover Queen) to tell you why not on today's blog post on Eating Rules.
Like Jenn, I don't go to the grocery store much any more. Initially, I stopped going because the more I shopped elsewhere, the better my food tasted. And that's all it was, a taste preference. On that basis, I thought for sure my grocery bill would go up, but, in fact, the opposite occurred. By shopping the local farmers markets and meat markets and, of course, by making an effort to cook nearly every meal, my food budget has dropped by 30 to 35 percent in the last year. And so has Jenn's. Which means buying local, in season, etc. goes beyond just taste: it's simply common sense.
Read more about it here!
While you're there, take a look around at what other folks are doing for the Unprocessed Challenge during the month of October and dare to take the challenge yourself!
My personal thanks to Rebecca, Priscilla and Dan, without whom it would have taken me who knows how many years longer to come to my senses regarding how I shop and cook.
11 comments:
Coolness!!!
The Unprocessed Challenge is actually part of my "small bites" compilation this month. I love it.
Will head on over to Jenn's...
Sadly I don't think I could commit to buying local all year. It's slim, cold pickings at the farmer's market in December. 30-35% though!!! That's super ridiculously impressive!!
Congrats Melissa! And thank you. :)
Dan
I miss my garden! But I guess Farmers Markets are better than nothing. Unfortunately ours caters to yuppies with more money than sense. The "good" farmer's market is in another town, which my son (as is usual for him) says is "TOO FAR!"
Still cooking from scratch in and of itself can save us some $$$. For instance, yesterday I picked up a bag of bread flour at Costco for $12.69. I paid about $4 for a 5 lb bag a few weeks ago at the grocery. So the 50 lbs (yes, you saw that correctly, FIFTY POUNDS) of bread flour for under $13 is quite a deal!
Keep in mind I didn't realize that was a 50 lb bag. I thought it was 25 lbs. I'd better figure bread out in a hurry, it seems. Clearly there will also be much pizza in our future.
Mmmm pizza. :) Thanks for your comments KB!
I've been looking for a way to save money, who hasn't and if this is true I will have to try and find local markets in my area. Thanks for the tip.
Oh my gosh are you back?!?!?! Last I read (don't even remember when that was) you were abandoning the blogosphere - and now I accidently discover (happily) that you are back!!!! How exciting, and I see that I have a lot to read. Oh and I agree about shopping well and saving money, I still go to supermarkets for things like school supplies and cleaning (body and house) products and non-edibles, but I love going to the butcher's, the baker's, etc.
I love doing all that too Joanne. It's my fun Saturday morning time. :)
It's good to see you as well!
Love this post. I needed to read it...I've strayed a bit from my beloved produce stand and farmer's market out of convenience. Not cool.
Good to hear, Aggie. Sometimes it's tempting to shop at the Ralph's near my work, solely for convenience... but then I go in there and everything looks so plastic compared to the markets and I remember that I just can't. At least that's how it is for me. I am grateful to have the options!
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