This week’s question has to do with an issue that many face or stand a good chance of facing in their lifetime …
I would like to know more about pantry building for people who don't garden. We don't because--- cost of water (we live in a hot dry area with very little rainfall) --- the dogs always find a way through or over the garden fence --- ground squirrels.
I love to garden; it not only helps me keep my pantry well-stocked, but it also is a stress reliver. I’m not naïve enough to think though, as much as I enjoy gardening, that I will be able to continue to garden for the rest of my life. What if my health changes and I’m no longer able to garden? What if we move to another location where it’s not possible to garden? Does this mean that I can’t keep a well-stocked pantry?
Absolutely not!
Here’s what I would do to keep my pantry well-stocked if I couldn’t garden, I would:
Shop farmer’s markets
Become a coupon, loss leader, sale sleuth, grocery shopping ninja
Take any surplus garden produce offered to me
Purchase from produce auctions
Buy in bulk and preserve
Join a food co-op
These are some things I would do, what would you do, how would you answer this question?
patsi
Sharing 42 years' experience of frugal living and pantry building (if you include my frugal childhood, well that would add a few more years to my experience!)
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First of all thank you Patsy for your wonderful summer series it has been wonderful and got us thinking in a number of areas.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say similar with lack of water and critters eating produce being -
- Accept any produce offered to you and maybe a neighbour grows some vegetables ? that you can buy off them to preserve at a cheaper price.
- Farmers markets are also a great place to find good cheap bulk produce that you could either blanch and freeze for your freezer, can or dehydrate too. We often pick up produce/commercially tinned vegetables at supermarkets that is on clearance too and either preserve it or store the tins. Tinned food does have similar nutritional value to fresh due to most produce being in transit for so long before it goes on the store shelves.
- Another way to fill your pantry is to forage near to your home. Around us we have picked up mulberries growing wild and picked them for the freezer and there may well be neighbours with fruit trees and the like that they don't pick. A knock at the door may well give you permission from them to pick those fruits and other items at no cost.
- Sometimes buying frozen fruit and vegetables is a better option too to stock your freezer with due to high prices.
Just a few things I thought of which may help.
Sewingcreations15 (Lorna).
Lorna, those are all good tips and thank you for your encouragement.
DeleteI currently have a garden, but it doesn't produce enough for all our needs. So I rely on "other methods" as well. Here are some of the tricks I use:
ReplyDelete-Closely follow the season & buy produce when they hit rock bottom prices. I try to preserve enough for a year. This takes trial and error. If you underestimate, there are ways to cope. If you over estimated, find ways to use the extra.
-Farmer's markets are good, but in my area, they are expensive. Road side farm stands sometimes offer "c-grade" produce. They aren't as pretty, but will save you money, and are perfect for preserving.
-Watch the flyers for loss leader sales. Sometimes these prices even beat the farmers. Every fall, our stores have 10lb bags of carrots, onions, beets, and potatoes on sale for about $2. Nowhere else has deals like that! Another store offers pre-order 25lb boxes of "c-grade" peaches super cheap. Take advantage of deals like these, and preserve for winter! It will vary according to your area, so watch those flyers closely!
-I have "stock up" prices for certain produce. When broccoli hits $1/bunch, I process a bunch for the freezer. If pineapples are on sale for $1, I can some up. Make sure to take advantage when the price is right, to ensure variety throughout the year.
-Be open to receiving free food, whenever it is offered. Leftover veggies or fruit from a party can be frozen for later use. When extras garden produce is up for grabs, accept it. The more you say yes to these opportunities, the more they will be offered!
-Learn to forage or glean produce growing in your area. Many houses have crabapple trees around here, most of them do not use the fruit produced. Crabapple jelly tastes AMAZING and makes perfect Christmas presents, too! You don't even need pectin to make it. I'm making rose hip jelly for the 1st time. Look for free edibles growing naturally in your area to add to your pantry.
-Re-think previously overlooked food opportunities. Many people use pumpkins/squash to decorate in the fall. Many forget this is also food. Make those decorations work double duty!
-Buy clearance veggies or fruit that are still in relatively good shape, to use for preserving. Cut out the bad spots and preserved the good parts. Clearance bananas are perfect for baking, or smoothies!
-Growing pots of food in a window. Fresh herbs can easily be grown inside all year long. Consider growing green onions, chives, basil and other favourite herbs. Depending on space, you could grow spinach, Swiss chard, peppers, or tomatoes indoors. Some people grow fruit bearing tropical trees indoors! These plants add natural greenery, as well as provide food.
-Bulk buy dry goods. Dried bean, legumes and peas, are veggies as well as a protein sources! Dried fruit is another a great addition to your pantry, such as raisins, dried cranberries, dates, apricots, mango, etc. It's all good, healthy food!
-Look into food co-ops in your area. Our city health department offers fresh produce boxes to anyone, regardless of income. The cost is very low, and offered on a sliding scale for struggling low income families. Every area is different, but definitely worth checking into.
-When all else fails, watch for great advertised sales on frozen or canned produce. I have tried preserving fresh corn, but due to the labour intense process and high demand, I have given up on preserving enough for our yearly needs. Instead, I buy large generic brand bags of frozen corn as needed. To help keep stock up costs lower, watch for sales (especially around holidays), look for coupons, cash in loyalty points and/or use earned gift cards. Remember, these items are also available in places other than grocery stores. Watch for frequently used items sold at pharmacies, dollar stores, department stores, etc. as well.
Rhonda, what a great answer!! I hope the person who asked this question reads your comment!
Delete