Families Stretch Their Food Dollars With Advice From UCCE Nutrition Educators

Reading food labels to choose nutrient-dense products is one way to get more bang for your buck.

Consumers Save Over $41 Per Month After Attending UC Cooperative Extension Nutrition Workshops

Consumers have seen their grocery bills rise in recent months. To save money, buying store brands or generic brands and cooking meals at home are two ways to adapt in the short term, according to nutrition educators at UC Cooperative Extension.

UCCE Nutrition Educators offer tips and workshops to help families participating in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and the CalFresh Healthy Living Program, UC. With this information, families are better able to make their food budget last all month.

"After attending the series of workshops, households across California realized savings of more than $41 per month," said Natalie Price, Nutrition, Family and Consumer Science Advisor at the 'UCCE in Los Angeles County.

Through a series of workshops and informative leaflets, participating households were able to reduce their food bills, improve their knowledge of healthy foods and improve food security.

Currently, UCCE offers EFNEP and CalFresh Healthy Living, UC courses in 40 of California's 58 counties. From Del Norte to San Diego County, Nutrition Educators are working with families to improve the quality of their diets and physical activity through a series of workshops available to eligible households. In a series of six to nine one-hour classes, families learn how to buy, store and prepare healthy, safe and nutritious foods.

EFNEP courses held across the state reach an average of more than 17,000 participants, including attendees and attendee household members. After taking the course, one participant said, “Before, I only bought what was on sale, but now I have a shopping list. I have a menu of the week and I always look at the ingredients.”

Through much of the pandemic, UCCE classes have been offered online to reach families in Los Angeles County. At the end of the courses, all participants receive a certificate of completion. Photo by Natalie Price

Science-based nutrition information consistently ranks among the top areas of public interest, and these programs represent one of the primary opportunities to reach Californians with relevant resources.

"Over 90% of graduates of our program reported (in post-class surveys) improved food resource management skills, such as meal planning, grocery list writing, and cooking. food price comparison, which saved $19 to $64 on the grocery bill per month,” said Marisa Neelon, Nutrition, Family and Consumer Science Advisor for the 'UCCE for Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Knowing what to buy, how to prepare and what to eat is key to helping households improve both cost and nutrition. As one participant commented, "[I] make a list before I go shopping and plan what I'm going to cook to avoid overspending." Knowing what to buy, how to prepare and what to eat is key to helping households improve both cost and nutrition.

This success has been replicated in other counties and has resulted in significant savings for families at the grocery store. These savings can add up and have a significant impact, especially in today's rising food price environment.

UCCE nutrition educators have shared their top tips for saving money on food:

Check Grocery Flyers for Food Sales Make weekly menus of foods needed for your family meals and snacks Buy store brands or generic brands instead of national brands Read Food Labels to Choose Nutrient-Dense Foods Buy canned and frozen foods as well as fresh produce

Check the CalFresh Healthy Living, UC, or EFNEP webpages for nutrition education programs offered to eligible Californians in counties across the state.

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources has a list of online resources for anyone interested in becoming more active and eating healthier at https://ucanr.edu/sites/resourcedirector...