Save £££ on your food shopping

Have you noticed that the food in your local supermarket seems a lot more expensive than a few months ago? Have you walked out of the supermarket, paying between 10% to 20% for the same basket of groceries? Unfortunately, you are not alone.

Food inflation in the UK averaged about 8% in the last quarter, with a recent high of a whopping 19.2% in March 2023. It was the highest rate in 45 years! 

Here are some of my top tips for saving on your food shopping

1. Plan your meals- I always go into a supermarket with a shopping list and plan my meals. This prevents impulse buying. I often cook in bulk on the weekends and freeze portions of these into takeaway containers- this is an instant healthy and nutritious ready meal when I am too exhausted to cook after work.
   

2. Save by cutting down on Premium brands goods-Often, premium and store brands are produced in the same factories with the same ingredients. Try swapping some of your favorite premium items for the store's own brand and see if you notice any difference. This switch could save you up to 30%.
   

3. Shop seasonally and locally- Opt for fruits and vegetables that are in season. They're not only fresher and cheaper but also environmentally friendly. I buy most of my seasonal veggies from my local farmer’s market and not only are you supporting your local business, you are assured that the vegetables haven’t been flown half way around the world.
   

4. Sign up to the supermarket’s loyalty program- If you sign up for the loyalty programs of the big supermarkets, you often get special discounts and loyalty points. The loyalty points can be redeemed as supermarket vouchers and even for flights. In the last 2 years, I have redeemed 6 flights by shopping at the same supermarket!
   

5. Use food-saving apps: Apps like Too Good To Go and Olio are fantastic for finding discounted food items that would otherwise be discarded. These apps connect users with local stores and eateries that offer surplus food at reduced prices.  I love Too Good To Go app and I use it on a regular basis. Today, I picked up a bag from Gorilla, the online supermarket. I paid about £5 for the bag on the Too Good To Go app and the bag would have cost at least £20 at a supermarket. All products are still within its use by  and best before dates.
   

6. Understand the use by and best before dates- The UK discards 9.5 million tonnes of food annually, much of which is still safe to consume. This is astounding since 8.4 million people are in food poverty. The rule of thumb is to bin anything that is past the use by date. For everything else, I just use the old school sniff and visual test.
   

7. Buy wonky vegetables and fruits- Up to 40% of fruits and vegetables are rejected by supermarkets for purely cosmetic reasons. Many stores now offer these perfectly edible "wonky" items at a discount, helping you save money while reducing food waste.
   

By using these tips, you're not just saving money—you're also helping to reduce food waste and support sustainable practices. Share your own strategies with us! Join our community and let’s tackle food waste together.

By Jennifer Yong.

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