With grocery prices on the rise, make a dent in your food bill

Suggested Intro:

RISING PRICES AT THE SUPERMARKET ARE A CHALLENGE FOR FAMILIES TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. BUT A NUTRITIONIST IN PENN STATE'S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES HAS A FEW TIPS THAT COULD MAKE A DENT IN YOUR FOOD BILL. MORE FROM CHUCK GILL:

Story:

(:12) ENERGY COSTS, HIGH DEMAND FOR SOME INGREDIENTS AND SHORTAGES OF OTHERS ARE TRANSLATING INTO RAPIDLY RISING FOOD PRICES. BUT PENN STATE EXTENSION EDUCATOR MANDEL SMITH SAYS WITH A LITTLE PLANNING, YOU CAN KEEP YOUR FOOD BUDGET IN LINE.

(:07) SMITH SAYS BEFORE YOU GO TO THE STORE, CHECK YOUR PANTRY, MAKE A LIST CONTAINING ONLY ITEMS THAT YOU NEED, AND THEN STICK TO THAT LIST:

Smith Actuality:
(:14) "SOMETIMES IT'S A GREAT IDEA IF YOU COULD JUST TAKE CASH TO THE GROCERY STORE AND SAY THAT I'M JUST GOING TO SPEND THIS AMOUNT ON GROCERIES. AND IF YOU'RE NOT USING YOUR DEBIT CARD OR CHECK AND YOU HAVE TO SPEND THAT CASH, IT REALLY MAKES YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE PUTTING INTO YOUR CART ."

(:17) SMITH SAYS TO GET THE BEST DEALS, YOU SHOULD COMPARE THE UNIT PRICE OF FOODS…COMPARE DIFFERENT FORMS, SUCH AS FRESH VERSUS FROZEN…CONSIDER STORE BRANDS, WHICH OFTEN ARE COMPARABLE QUALITY AT A LOWER PRICE…USE COUPONS, BUT ONLY FOR ITEMS YOU'D BUY ANYWAY…AND NEVER GO TO THE STORE HUNGRY. FROM PENN STATE, I'M CHUCK GILL.

Learn more:

AS PRICES RISE, FIND WAYS TO TRIM YOUR GROCERY BILL (from the College of Agricultural Sciences news archives)