Keep spending low on food by learning from local food professionals.
It’s a new calendar year and many of us are filled with the hope and energy that resolutions can bring. Resolving to decrease spending on food is likely to be a common resolution this year. We can find inspiration by surrounding ourselves with ideas from local food professionals.
Following their tips for reducing food waste and taking time to plan can really help to keep food costs down. Guelph is a real foodie town and there are lots of good ideas for all of us!
The poverty task force has food access resources for both Guelph and Wellington County. We know that more and more people are becoming food insecure and knowing where to find low-cost or free food is important.
Check out their food access guides and its new interactive food access map.
Registered dietitians are food experts and can help you decrease your food costs by helping you plan. There are many dietitians in Guelph. You can find them in your doctor’s or nurse practitioner’s clinics, in community practices (often covered by insurance) or even in local non-profits. Make an appointment to see one of them.
Dietitians have more time to talk about your specific food and nutrition concerns and they can offer your tips on how best to eat on a budget, share cost effective recipes and offer information to take home like this handout from Unlock Food.
Are you looking to keep some tips about food costs at the front of your mind? Try shifting your social media feed to include food professionals who are offering these strategies. Local naturopath, Dr. Janine Buisman Wilcox, recently offered several great posts on meal planning, its benefits and how to actually get it done.
Another account to follow belongs to non-diet nutritionist Fran Allen, who recommends three things to reduce grocery cost including, a weekly fridge clean out, planning ahead for weekly meals and shopping your own pantry. Her meals look delicious and uncomplicated.
Give these local food professionals a follow for inspiration and great ideas:
@dr.janine.nd and @hello.fran.allen
One local group is making home cooking more accessible by sharing great information and food. Food Uniting Neighbours or F.U.N. is led by community advisors and they have created recipe cards and food workshops. They have also developed a hyper local grocery delivery service using wagons to move food into homes in the Onward Willow neighbourhood. You can learn more about their work on their Facebook group of the same name.
Want to do more to help our community? Consider reading the Food System Resiliency Table’s newly developed Food Charter. Entitled the Guelph-Wellington Charter for Food Justice you can
sign it to show your commitment to addressing the root causes of food insecurity and to food justice.
Guelph is fortunate to have so many passionate foodies and food organizations sharing food information. Connect to these folks in person or on social media to help yourself to reduce your food costs.
