Specials, freezers and double checking the use-by-dates on foods can help get you through rising cost of living according to some experts interviewed by the Western Plains App. 

Many in our region are struggling to meet basic food costs with inflation and interest rising over the last 18 months. 

Inflation rose nearly eight per cent over the last year as a result of a COVID overhang and a food supply shortage fuelled locally by flooding and globally by the Ukraine War. 

Australians have experienced 10 consecutive interest rate rises. 

“Planning is important when it comes to buying food” Josephine Charbel, State Van Manager for the St Vincent De Paul Society NSW told the Western Plains App.

“Whatever income you have look at what you pay first and break it down from there”. 

“Buy in bulk if something is on special and freeze it if you can. Make use of leftovers, so for instance if Monday is Taco night then you can use the leftovers for a bolognaise or pies the next day. If you buy in bulk how can I use that one product for three dishes”. 

Buying frozen vegetables in particular help, with frozen vegetables often a third of the price. Frozen cobs of corn for instance trade at $3 per kilo while fresh cob corns sell for $9.

“We also look at finding things that can last one or two days that you can cook like your pastas and rices works well for people wanting to make their budgets stretch.” 

Charbel said that if families and people are really struggling, or just having bad week with lots of bills “there is no shame is asking for food help from charities."

A number of our local towns have Food Banks operating where you can pick up food items for free or well below market prices.

"Then if you need to make up what’s missing, spend what you can on things like meats from the supermarket.” 

Image: Pixabay 

“Impulse buying can be a problem as well as looking at use-by dates, people can often waste foods and this ends up costing more money even if something is on special. A lot of people end up spending a lot more than they intended without fully realising just how much more” she said. 

On average, Australians spend $300 per week on groceries each. 

Matt Cowry manager at IGA Cobar told the Western Plains App, that the best way for people to save food when shopping is to look out for specials. 

“We have new specials and they change every week. There are often significant reductions on food if you keep on eye on IGA brochures."