Before anything else, check out the programs available to you. SNAP and EBT benefits can be used at local farms and stretch further through matching programs.
The Monadnock Farm Share program offers CSA shares at half price for income-qualifying households. Gleaning programs distribute free fresh produce throughout the season.
Many local grocers offer case discounts on produce, dry goods, and packaged foods. Pull together friends or neighbors and make a group purchase at the Monadnock Food Co-op. You get more food for less, and the farmer gets a reliable order.
Prices shift through the season. When something is first harvested, it costs more, but as the season progresses, prices often drop. If something feels too expensive, wait a couple of weeks and come back.
Local beans are healthy, filling, and economical. Meat costs more to produce, prepare, and store. Swapping beans for meat a few nights a week adds up quickly without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
If you want local meat, buying directly from a farm in bulk is almost always more cost-effective than buying retail. Split a large order with friends if the quantity is more than you need.
Make bulk purchases last longer. Freezing chopped vegetables, drying herbs, and learning basic canning or pickling can turn one good harvest purchase into months of food. UNH Extension Nutrition Connections and Stonewall Farm both offer preservation classes throughout the year.
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes cost less per pound than processed foods and keep you full longer. Eating more of them is good for your budget and your health.
A chest freezer pays for itself many times over if you buy local food in bulk. Check Craigslist or local thrift stores for a used one.