Ways to stretch your food budget

This column continues the discussion of the current food crises in some households. It may also help those who are not as stressed financially as others.

Recent news reports feature interviews with individuals who say that with rent, gasoline, and other expenses going up, many are going without food or drastically reducing their food budgets.

I think the way to find a new approach to food and food budgeting begins with mindfulness and purposefulness. That means we have to think about food and its costs and make sure we approach food with a purpose, which is feeding ourselves and our families.

The Center of Hope in Weatherford and the Tarrant Area Food Bank offer classes on budgeting and how to prepare foods more economically. Some of these are available online.

The first thing to do is to develop a meal plan for a period of time — a week is a good place to start.

Make a list before going to the store and stick to it. Some suggest not to go to the store if you are hungry as that may cause you to buy more. Buy store brands and look for sales. Some folks get really educated and save a lot of money with coupons. Buy cheaper, maybe tougher cuts of meat. Investment in an electric pressure cooker will help tenderize theses cuts. Buy in bulk as items are usually cheaper.

Invest in some food storage containers to put away leftovers. And be MINDFUL. Don’t forget about the leftovers and throw them out two months later covered with mold! Those leftovers have a purpose. Many studies say that we Americans waste 40 percent of the total food supply annually. Tons wind up in the landfills. You can change this in your household if you are mindful and purposeful about food.

Keep a supply of dried beans and rice on hand. Much of the world feeds itself with some form of rice and beans. It is called a perfect food because it has a balance of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and minerals.

Feeding the Nations, whose mission is to deal with hunger internationally, in 2017 issued a beans and rice challenge in which participants were asked to eat at least one meal during the day of rice and beans. One of my favorite dishes, which could be called the national dish of Costa Rica, is gallo pinto which means spotted rooster. It is rice mixed with black beans with a bell pepper and onion chopped up in the mixture. There are many recipes online.

You can keep snack size containers of beans and rice in the fridge all the time. When those hungry teenagers hit the door looking for junk food, simply offer them a snack of rice and beans. This is very counter to our fast food, junk food culture .But they may be surprised at how good it tastes.

All of these food budgeting ideas may come as a surprise in many households, but I think you will find you are eating better while saving money, I think it is a good idea to sit down with the family and explain why these changes are being made. Invite everyone to come with food saving ideas. Emphasize that this is a team effort.

You can find other bargains if you look. The Clear Fork Market inside Tackett’s Pharmacy in Hudson Oaks started offering $10 produce boxes on Saturdays. They close early Saturday and Sunday and they needed to move produce. It is now very popular. The boxes are full of a variety of fruits and vegetables worth much more than $10. And those veggies do not go to waste!

Become a member of a community garden. People share the chores of gardening and share the harvest.

These are just a few ideas. I am an amateur at this game. You can seek professional help online, at the Center of Hope and the Food Bank. Just remember to be mindful and purposeful.