Angel Food Ministries

Today I picked up our first box of "Angel Food". I found out about this through a flier at my local post office. The program has definitely made a believer out of me. I was able to purchase a box of food for $30. Here is what I received:

• 1.5 lb. Ribeye Steak (4 x 6 oz.)
• 4 lb. Leg Quarters
• 1.5 lb. Beef Patties (4 x 6 oz.)
• 18 oz. Cheese Filled Manicotti
• 2 lb. Pork Rib Strips
• 1 lb. Chicken Breast Fajita Strips
• 1 lb. Ground Turkey
• 1 lb. Broccoli
• 1 lb. Peas
• 6 ct. Oatmeal Variety Box
• 2 each-Regular, Maple Brown Sugar and Apple Cinnamon
• 32 oz. 2% Shelf Stable Milk
• 8 oz. Blueberry Muffin Mix
• 12 ct. White Corn Tortillas
• 1 lb. Pinto Beans
• 7 oz. Chicken Flavored Rice & Vermicelli
• One Dozen Eggs
• Dessert Item

I definitely feel that I received a value for my $30. We had Chicken Fajitas for dinner tonight, using some of the ingredients above, and it was great!



So how did they do it? They provided this through a "cooperative" food purchasing program. This means that the more of a item is purchased, the greater the discount; therefore, by the Angel Food Ministries purchasing in bulk and then distributing the food through a local church - they are helping me to save money.



What a great idea and what a great service! If you are interested in purchasing "Angel Food", check out their website to search for a local "Angel Food" distributor in your area. Here is the link:



http://www.angelfoodministries.com/



I was so excited about the program when I picked up my food today, that I have ordered already for next month. Here is what I am getting next month:



Regular Box:

• 1.5 lb. Sirloin Strip Steaks(4 x 6 oz.)
• 2 lb. Tray Pack Chicken Breast
• 1 lb. Boneless Pork Chops
• 2 lb. Breaded Chicken Nuggets
• 28 oz. Salisbury Steak Entrée
• 12 oz. Sliced Bacon
• 1 lb. All-Meat Hot Dog
• 1 lb. Stir Fry (Broccoli, Red Peppers & Onions)
• 1 lb. Carrots
• 10 oz. Peanut Butter
• 32 oz. 2% Shelf Stable Milk
• 35 oz. Crinkle-Cut Fries
• 7.25 oz. Mac ‘n Cheese
• 1 lb. Rice
• 1 lb. Bean Soup Mix
• Dozen Eggs
• Dessert

Price: $30.00

Special #5 - Fresh Fruit & Veggie Box:

• 3 lb. No. 1 Premium Idaho Baking Potatoes
• 3 lb. No. 1 Premium North Carolina Sweet Potatoes
• 2 lb. No. 1 Premium New Crop Western Grown Yellow Onions
• 9 oz. California Premium Raisins
• 1 lb. Premium California Grown Carrots
• 1 head Premium Fresh Green Cabbage
• 3 lb. New Crop Tree-Ripened Red Delicious Apples
• 2 each Premium Washington State Anjou Pears
• 1 each Premium Golden Sweet Pineapple
• 3 lb. New Crop Premium Florida Tree-Ripened Valencia Oranges

Price: $21.00

Special #6 - Tangerine Box:

• 2/5 Bushel New Crop Florida Tree-Ripened Honey Tangerines (approximately 20-21 pounds or 70-75 tangerines)

Price: $15.00

So for the month of February, I will have invested $66.00 for all of the items listed above. What a great deal & service!

Check this service out and let me know what you think.

Until another frugal moment hits...

The Frugal Queen

The Best Value for Your Money when Grocery Shopping

When shopping at the grocery store, don't just look at the big price on the shelf sticker - also check out the "unit" price or the "per ounce" price. I have found that this is really the best way to purchase the cost effective amount.

Let's take ketchup for example. (It is in it's own food group for my son, who puts it on everything!)

The cheapest big price on the store shelf is most probably the smallest size - say a 12 ounce bottle for $1.19. When you look at the per ounce price on this, it comes out to about 10 cents per ounce. But say there is a 36 ounce bottle on the shelf next to it - for $1.99. The bottle is bigger and costs 80 cents more, but the per ounce price for the larger size is now down to 6 cents per ounce.

That is savings! If you have the space and will be able to use it all before the expiration date, the larger sizes are almost always the best value. Also, check out the store brand versus the name brand. Using the same theory above, check out the name brand per ounce price versus the store brand per ounce price. You will see a tremendous amount of savings!

I have been teaching my kids this lesson as we go to the grocery store each week. I always have them look at the per ounce price on items instead of the "big" sticker price.

Want to learn more about being a savvy super market shopper? Check out this newsletter from the University of Kentucky school of Agriculture: click here. (It is a PDF document.)

Until another frugal moment hits!

The Frugal Queen