Farm to Table

This summer, we partnered five farm bloggers with five non-farm bloggers to participate in a two part series that would take them from the farm to the grocery store to learn more about where their food comes from. Below are links to not only their experiences but a lot of yummy recipes as well!

Ground Beef Tacos from Angie of Just Like the Number

20-Minute Skillet Pizza from Leah of Beyer Beware

Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe from Ann-Marie of Chaos is Bliss

Super Easy Pizza Casserole from Heather of 3 Kids and Lots of Pigs

Italian Beef Sandwiches from Crystal of Mom for Less

Crock Pot Lasagna Soup from Jeanette of Fencerow to Fencerow

Homemade Baked Ziti from Ashley of Simply Designing

Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles from Jent of Farmwife Feeds

Baked Turkey Meatballs from Steph of Indy Homeschool

Fiesta Chicken Chowder from Liz of The Farmwife Cooks

Frugal Foodies

Even on a time budget, everyone needs to eat! The ladies of the Real Farmwives of America and Friends share tips for buying food on a budget.

Lou of Much Ado about Lou shares a linky party of recipes- all under $5 per meal!

Lou found even more $5 meals. This post is all about affordable chicken meals, and they look delicious!

Freezer cooking can allow you to buy in bulk and save.

Lou shares tips for buying meat on a budget here.

How do you save on your family’s food?

Grocery Prices are Going Down

By Sarah Correll

How much do those carrots cost? The Indiana Farm Bureau just released the details of their semi-annual “market basket” survey, and they found that grocery prices are down slightly from a year ago!

The “market basket” survey includes 16 items, 8 of which have decreased in price since spring 2013. The biggest decrease was in sirloin tip roast, which has gone down by 70 cents. The full results are here!

Grocery items	Spring 2013	Fall 2013	Spring 2014
Apples, 1 lb.	$1.56	$1.66	$1.88
Potatoes, 5 lb.	$2.53	$3.51	$2.64
Bagged salad mix, 1 lb.	$2.34	$1.93	$2.11
Orange juice, 1/2 gal	$3.33	$3.43	$3.30
Ground chuck, 1 lb.	$3.68	$3.29	$3.70
Sirloin tip roast, 1 lb	$4.56	$4.09	$3.86
Bacon, 1lb.	$3.85	$4.74	$4.12
Sliced deli ham, 1 lb.	$5.24	$4.60	$5.08
Boneless chicken breast, 1 lb.	$2.91	$2.96	$2.54
Whole milk, 1 gal.	$3.27	$3.24	$3.12
Shredded cheddar cheese, 1 lb.	$4.01	$3.44	$4.33
Grade A  large eggs, 1 doz.	$1.78	$1.83	$1.92
Flour, 5 lb.	$2.42	$2.35	$2.55
Vegetable oil, 32 oz.	$2.99	$3.01	$2.88
Cereal, 10-oz. box	$2.85	$2.81	$2.66
White bread, 20-oz. loaf	$1.41	$1.40	$1.53
TOTAL	$48.73	$48.29	$48.22

While only 16% of every dollar spent at the grocery store makes it back to the farmer, we’re proud that Americans spend less than 10% of their disposable annual income on food, the lowest average of any country in the world! If you’re looking for some frugal meal ideas, check these out!

5 Tips for Buying Meat without “Butchering” Your Grocery Budget

By Sarah Correll

Meat is often the most expensive item in our grocery carts. We need the protein, but how can we buy the meat we need without breaking the bank?

1. Look for sales. You may even be able to ask your butcher when the sales regularly take place.
2. If you find a great deal, buy a lot and make some freezer meals. Find some great freezer meal recipes here!
3. Especially if you have a large freezer, considering buying meat in bulk. Many farmers and even local 4-H and FFA members sell quarters and halves of pigs and steers.
4. Buy lean cuts. After the fat cooks away from what may be a less expensive pack of meat, you’ll be left with less than if you started with a lean cut.
5. Use a crockpot to make any cut, no matter what the price, taste great! Find a collection of wonderful crockpot recipes here.