A spokesperson for Love British Food, said: “The cost of living crisis is proving to be far worse than many feared. Food prices are soaring and families are making impossible decisions.”
Buy British and buy seasonal
When food is in season there is usually an abundance of supply and therefore seasonal produce is often more affordable.
Shop around
Supermarkets are convenient, but it can be cheaper to shop for other ingredients elsewhere. If you live near a street market or independent shops it may be cheaper to buy from them. Shop around!
Buy loose ingredients
Buy loose ingredients rather than pre-packed. A couple of loose carrots cost around 10p but a pre-pack can cost up to 90p.
Waste not, want not
If you have fruit, veg or herbs in the house that are due to expire, cut it up and put in a zip-lock in the freezer for using later.
Can it
Canned fruit and vegetables count towards your five-a-day and can potentially be cheaper than fresh varieties.
Buy whole
Buy joints or full carcasses of meat and use all of it imaginatively. Buy a whole chicken rather than chicken breasts. Use the bones to make stocks for soup and the left-over meat in sandwiches, curries and stews.
Community food co-ops
There are community food co-operative programmes across Britain providing quality, affordable fruit and vegetables to communities through sustainable local food distribution networks.
Pasta sauce
Use a can of tinned tomatoes as a pasta sauce base opposed to pre-made sauce as it is not only cheaper but healthier.
Potatoes
They do everything from chips to mash, and they’re affordable.
Shop together
If you’re living in student accommodation or with friends think about communally shopping, bigger packs last long and cost a lot less.
Plan ahead
If you only have the ingredients for meals you plan on making, you’ll throw less away.
Batch it up
Making your food in batches at the start of the week is cheap and convenient. If you cook Sunday night’s pasta dish for three, you can save and store two for later in the week.
Make a list
Shopping lists are essential for avoiding costly and unnecessary purchases when in the shop.