Food Prices Are Still Soaring — Here’s How to Save at the Grocery Store

3. Buy frozen fruits, vegetables and sides

Many older adults live alone and consume less food than their younger counterparts. Appetites and tastes change as we get older. Buying fresh fruits, vegetables and meats is great, so long as you eat them before they go bad. A cheaper alternative is to buy some from the frozen foods section. “Frozen foods can be an effective way to save,” Glink says. “It allows you to take one or two out and do more with less.” Meatballs, fruits and vegetables are just a few examples of nutritious frozen foods that can be consumed piecemeal.

4. Shop during senior hours 

Older adults, typically those age 60-plus, can save on their grocery bills by shopping on senior discount days. Available at supermarkets across the country, these special days allow shoppers to get a percentage off their bills. Harris Teeter, a supermarket operator with stores in seven states and Washington, D.C., gives adults 60 and older a 5 percent discount every Thursday. Meanwhile, Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, which has stores in New York and New Jersey, offers a 5 percent discount for those 65 and older on Wednesdays. Many grocery stores around the country offer this type of discount, but the size and age requirement vary.

5. Tap government programs​

Food insecurity is a big problem for older adults in America. According to the nonprofit Feeding America, as of 2019, there were 5.2 million seniors who were food insecure. That was before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and inflation skyrocketed. To combat that, the federal government operates the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Formerly known as food stamps, the program provides eligible individuals with monthly benefits to purchase groceries at participating supermarkets and farmers markets. To be eligible for SNAP, your monthly income must be less than 130 percent of the poverty line in the U.S.

The Senior Box Program is another federally funded assistance program for adults 60-plus who have incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level. With this program, you get a box of food with set items for free. The food is purchased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which works with local nonprofits to distribute the boxes monthly.

6. Look for discounts and deals

Signing up for your local supermarket’s loyalty program and clipping coupons can also save you money at checkout. Most grocery stores have taken their coupons online, making it easy to print them out before you enter the grocery store. AARP members have access to a bevy of coupons and discounts that can be used at supermarkets across the country. Anyone can use store rewards cards, which let you get cheaper prices for food.

Many supermarkets and retailers also sell store-brand products that offer the same quality as the brand names, but at a cheaper price. In the past, the term “generic” had a stigma to it. But retailers have realized that it’s a big moneymaker, and, as a result, have improved the quality of their generic brands.

7. Use a vacuum sealer 

Freezing meats and prepared food in freezer-safe bags can extend its life and shave money off your grocery bill. To make foods last even longer, Saunders suggests investing in a food vacuum sealer. It can set you back anywhere from $25 to $200, but it does mean you can buy bulk meat or produce, cut it up, seal it and have it for the future. Air that’s left in freezer bags is what causes freezer burn. With a vacuum sealer, you remove the excess air. That preserves the flavor and quality of the meat for longer, Saunders explains. 

“If you go to the farmers market, an entire tenderloin beef may cost you $60. But you’ll end up with 10 steaks — which is far less expensive,” Saunders adds.

Donna Fuscaldo is a contributing writer and editor focusing on personal finance and health. She has spent over two decades writing and covering news for several national outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investopedia and HerMoney.​