When Fit Men Cook founder Kevin Curry graduated from Harvard Business School in the 2008 recession, he struggled to find work and enrolled in SNAP. At first he felt ashamed, until a caseworker told him, “Don’t be ashamed. This is a bridge from where you are to where you’re going.” That shifted his view: food assistance is a practical tool many people use to get through tough times.
Curry shares practical tactics for finding free or cheaper food and stretching groceries when money is tight.
1) Use SNAP to get more produce
If your state participates in Double Up Food Bucks, SNAP EBT dollars can be matched so you get more fruits and vegetables for the same cost. The program’s purpose is to make fresh produce more affordable and accessible.
2) Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline
Phone searches can be more reliable than online listings, which aren’t always current. Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) to find nearby food pantries, meal sites and other services.
3) Visit several pantries
Different food pantries stock different items. If one doesn’t have what you need, it’s okay to try another. Having options helps maintain dignity and gives you more choice.
4) Check school meal programs
Ask your child’s school about free breakfast, lunch and after-school food programs and whether your family qualifies. A few covered meals each week can meaningfully lower grocery bills.
5) Buy discounted items that would otherwise be wasted
Apps and services like Flashfood and Too Good To Go sell near-expiration groceries and prepared food at steep discounts. See if these services operate in your area to snap up bargains.
6) Ask for discounts
Store staff often want to help. If you’re on a tight budget, politely asking about discounts, manager specials or marked-down items can sometimes lead to small savings.
7) Learn store markdown schedules
Many stores mark down perishables on predictable days. Learning when your local stores reduce prices (some midweek, others late in the day) helps you shop when markdowns are likely.
8) Shop near closing time
Employees packing up bakery, meat or prepared foods may offer lower prices at the end of the day. If your schedule allows, this can be a fast way to save.
9) Build a low-cost, versatile grocery cart
Stock up on filling, long-lasting staples: beans, lentils, rice, oats, pasta, canned goods and frozen fruits and vegetables. Plan meals that use a few ingredients in multiple ways so each shopping trip stretches farther.
Curry’s example: he spent $16 on potatoes, ground turkey, an onion, a bell pepper, cheese, enchilada sauce and a can of black beans. From that haul he made baked potatoes stuffed with beans and turkey, savory waffles, a cheesy bean dip and a frittata—turning one inexpensive shop into several meals.
If you have tips for stretching groceries when money is tight, email [email protected]; they may feature your advice on NPR.org.