5 Caregivers' Tips to Save on Food Costs

Five tips that will help those who are on limited budgets to survive these times of high food prices are listed below. Lifestyle changes to adapt to the situation are necessary, but there are ways to make this easier.

1. BUY FRESH PRODUCE because it costs less, instead of canned, frozen or packaged vegetables or fruit. Then wash and prepare it, and store it in a freezer in ziplock bags. Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and so on can be eaten raw, microwaved, baked in foil, boiled or cooked as desired later.
2. PREPARE COMPLETE MEALS AND FREEZE them yourself instead of buying frozen packaged meals, boxed. or canned meals.
3. ONE DAY PER WEEK PREPARE MEALS AHEAD. Prepare a variety of meals for freezing in single serving containers or ziplock bags.
4. AVOID SPOILAGE. Storing fresh vegetables or more fruit than can be eaten in the lower fridge often leads to spoiled food. Freezing the food or using a dehydrator to dry it will help save it longer.
5. TRY ALTERNATE PROTEIN RESOURCES. Experiment with protein from alternate sources instead of always buying expensive meats. For instance, try tofu, beans, soy, nuts and protein drinks and other meatless protein sources.

Low Income Seniors and Disabled People Can Turn to National Food Bank for Groceries

Seniors on low fixed incomes and disabled people who are struggling with high prescription costs and healthcare costs can turn to The National Food Bank for groceries. The national network of community locations providing groceries is called America's Second Harvest. Local warehouses have grocery supplies through the National Food Bank which are distributed at community locations.

To find a distribution center near you enter your zip code into the search box at the website for The National Food Bank, or search for your town plus "food bank."

The website explains that 5.9% of seniors,or 1.5 million households, struggle with "food insecurity." This term means when "access to food is limited by lack of money and other resources." Nearly 3 million seniors are served by the Food Bank each year.

As a caregiver I have seen many situations where a senior's refrigerator and cupboards were almost empty. In these cases I contacted the person's family members and local community resources to get a plan started, so these frail or disabled people would have groceries.

Meals that are delivered from Seniors Nutrition Programs are a big help also. Seniors Nutrition Programs in my area welcome a donation of $2.75 per meal but the donation is not required.