When Kevin Curry graduated from Harvard Business School during the 2008 recession, he couldn’t find work and signed up for SNAP. He felt embarrassed until a caseworker told him, “Don’t be ashamed. This is a bridge from where you are to where you’re going.” That changed his view: food assistance serves many people and is a useful resource.
Curry, founder of Fit Men Cook, shares tips for finding free or affordable food and stretching groceries when money is tight.
– Use SNAP benefits to get more produce. If your state participates in Double Up Food Bucks, your SNAP EBT dollars can be matched so you get twice the fruits and vegetables. The program’s goal is to make fresh produce more accessible.
– Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-647) to find up-to-date nearby food pantries and meal sites. Curry notes phone searches can be more reliable than online listings, which aren’t always current.
– Visit multiple food pantries if needed. Different pantries carry different items; if you’re looking for something specific, it’s okay to go elsewhere. Having choice and variety preserves dignity.
– Ask your child’s school about free breakfast, lunch and after-school food programs and whether you qualify. A few covered meals can reduce grocery expenses.
– Buy discounted food that would otherwise be wasted. Apps like Flashfood and Too Good To Go sell near-expiration groceries and prepared food at steep discounts—check if these services operate in your area.
– Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts at the store. Curry says staff often want to help; being open about a tight budget can lead to small price reductions.
– Learn when stores mark down items. Many chains release deals and markdowns on specific days (for example, some release them midweek), so timing your shopping can save money.
– Shop near closing time. Workers putting away bakery or meat items may offer lower prices at the end of the day.
– Build a low-cost grocery cart with long-lasting, filling, nutritious staples: beans, lentils, rice, oats, pasta, canned goods and frozen fruits and vegetables. Plan meals that multiply a few ingredients into several dishes.
Curry gives an example: he spent $16 on potatoes, ground turkey, an onion, a bell pepper, cheese, enchilada sauce and a can of black beans and turned them into baked potatoes stuffed with beans and turkey, savory waffles, a cheesy bean dip and a frittata—stretching one shopping trip into multiple meals.
Your turn: How do you stretch groceries and food when money is tight? Email [email protected] with your advice; they may feature it on NPR.org.