Five Things to Help Stretch Your Food Budget

Eating healthy on a budget might feel challenging — especially if you're juggling classes and assignments, a family, or even a career. But nutritious meals don’t have to drain your wallet.  

Heather Ramshaw, coordinator, with the Campus Food Hub at the University of Calgary, has some practical advice to help you make delicious, budget-friendly choices that reduce waste and maximize your food dollar. 

Here are her top five tips for keeping both your stomach and your finances happy:

Meal Plan  
Planning your meals for the week helps avoid unnecessary spending and food waste. Take a moment before grocery shopping to think about your weekly schedule and meal needs. “Planning out your weekly meals allows you to purchase only what you need, avoid impulse buys and make sure you work in ways to use those unique ingredients a couple of times, so they don’t go bad in the back of your fridge,” advises Ramshaw. “Need cilantro for your tacos? Work in a Vietnamese sub later in the week to use the rest!” 

Consider Your Purchasing Amounts  
Buying in bulk can save money — but only if you’ll actually use what you buy. Ramshaw recommends caution. “Think carefully about what you will actually use and only buy larger amounts to save money if you will go through it!” she says. “There is nothing worse than buying a big bag of spinach because it is only a couple of dollars more for double the amount, and having it go off in the crisper.” Always remember that bulk purchases of dry goods like rice, oats and lentils are typically safer bets.  

Store Food Properly  
Proper storage can greatly extend the shelf life of foods and help you save money. Did you know mushrooms last much longer in a paper bag? Or that onions last longer if kept away from potatoes? Ramshaw highlights these kinds of common storage mistakes, recommending resources like the website Love Food Hate Waste as guides to safeguard your budget and extend the life of your foods. Pro tip: The site also has awesome recipes to help you use up those wilted greens and wrinkled apples. 

Utilize Technology  
Make the most of apps designed to help you save on groceries and reduce food waste. Ramshaw suggests Flashfood for discounted end-of-life items and Flipp, which lets you compare all the store flyers in your area at once. She also suggests trying food-rescue services like Odd Bunch and Peko, which deliver discounted produce. “AI can also be a great tool for meal prepping,” Ramshaw adds. “Plug in a prompt like, ‘Create an affordable weekly meal plan for two people according to the following stipulations: dinners only, dairy-free, reuse ingredients to minimize food waste.’” 

Visit the Campus Food Hub  
Finally, if you're a current UCalgary student or graduate student, the Campus Food Hub offers affordable meal programming and subsidized groceries to help you eat well and stretch your budget. “Come by the Campus Food Hub! We have the resources to help you eat well and stay within budget,” says Ramshaw. Anyone looking for additional information can find it here. 

Did you know? 
The Campus Food Hub is a major benefactor of the Student Food Security Fund (SFSF). During this year's UCalgary Giving Day campaign, $12,885 was raised for the SFSF, with 76% of that total contributed by UCalgary alumni!

About the Expert: 
Ramshaw brings more than a decade of experience in community development and food systems work to her role at UCalgary. In this capacity, she oversees initiatives aimed at enhancing food security on campus, including the Campus Food Hub and Affordable Food Market, which provide students with access to nutritious, affordable food options. Her background in community development and organic agriculture informs her commitment to addressing food insecurity and promoting sustainable food systems within the university community. She believes in the power of good food and says cabbages are highly underrated.