Meat & Produce Prices Rise: 8 Grocery-Saving Strategies

Brace your food budget — grocery prices are about to get ugly for meat, produce and even nuts.

For meat lovers, the cost of being a carnivore is getting even more expensive. Thanks to increased cattle costs and reduced red-beef production, consumers can expect to pay up to 3.5 percent more for their rib-eyes and T-Bones.

Meat isn’t the only food item expected to increase in price. Vegetables, fruits and nuts will get pricier, too. Considering California produces nearly half the fruits, veggies and nuts consumed in the U.S., the severe drought experienced by the Golden State may cause prices on such items to rise as much as 10 percent nationwide.

Ultimately, individuals and families need to reevaluate their grocery shopping strategies and adopt these money-saving tips for 2014.

1. Take Advantage of Frozen Food Month
Purchasing frozen poultry and fish is a cost-effective alternative to fresh options, plus you can easily stock up during sales for even more value. What’s more, frozen vegetables and fruit is typically less expensive than the fresh stuff and still contains the same amount of healthy nutrients. Since March is National Frozen Food Month, you can often find deals at grocery stores in your area as well as printable grocery coupons to stack for added discounts from sites like Coupon Sherpa. During a recent trip to New York, I received 20-percent off all frozen food from a local supermarket.

2. Plant Fresh
If your living arrangement supports it, consider planting a garden to grow your own herbs and vegetables. Harvest will come just in time for summer barbecues! For those who have a limited space, you may consider a container garden which is ideal for apartment dwellers. Here are tips to help you get started from the Food52 blog.

3. Shop Manager Markdowns
You can often save on everything from sirloin to chicken, fish, vegetables and bread when shopping manager mark downs. The trick is to only buy what you plan to cook and consume immediately or that it’s something you can freeze for a later date. You can save up to 80 percent buy shopping manager markdowns regularly but be ready to create impromptu meals based on such sales. For dish inspirations or tips on how to whip up dinner with a new ingredient, check out sites like AllRecipes.com for free recipes.

4. Bulk Buy Essentials
Buying meat, cereal and other food items in bulk from warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club can save you some coin. However, stick to foods you can either freeze or consume in their entirety before expiration, and don’t assume all bulk buys are a good value. Check out my advice on what to buy in bulk (and what to skip) for more information.

5. Share With Friends
Buying part of a cow or pig has become increasingly popular as consumers get pickier about what their meat eats. A friend of mine buys a quarter of a cow every year and spends less than $4 per pound for organic, grass-fed beef. This is a great option if you have the storage capacity. For tips on buying part of a cow, check out this detailed how-to from Kitchen Stewardship.

6. Plan Meals
With food costs on the rise, the last thing you want to do is waste what you’ve already purchased. Meal planning is key to buying only what you need and actually using it! Free tools like Food on the Table not only help you plan your meals but also highlight what ingredients are on sale at the supermarket. Don’t forget to download the super handy OurGroceries App to create grocery lists which you can share with your spouse so you’re never without that important ingredient for dinner.

7. Buy Organic Selectively
According to the USDA, some fruits and vegetables are actually a waste of money when purchased organic. Produce with tough and inedible peels like avocados, bananas, pineapples and mangos are not affected by the pesticides and grocery shoppers are better off saving on the non-organic alternatives.

8. Stick to Generics
While you can’t control the rising cost of meat and produce, you can control how much you dish out for other food items. From pantry staples like sugar and flour to kid favorites like cereal and condiments, buying generic and store-brand alternatives can save you anywhere from 30 to 60 percent on your grocery budget. Considering most generic food is produced by the same manufacturers as the name brands, it’s worth giving it a try!