11 Ways Seniors Can Continue To Save on Groceries
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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This fall, many seniors were hit with SNAP benefit delays, which didn’t help when they’re already struggling with climbing grocery prices and fixed Social Security checks that don’t stretch as far. While benefits are reported to be going out again, here are steps seniors can take at any time to save more on their grocery costs.
Get Emergency Food Assistance First
Before stretching your grocery budget thinner, check these programs designed specifically for older adults facing food insecurity.
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides coupons for fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at farmers markets. Not every state participates, but if yours does, these coupons supplement your grocery budget immediately.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) delivers free food boxes to low-income seniors. The boxes include canned fruits and vegetables, proteins, grains and shelf-stable milk. Check eligibility through your local senior center or state agency.
Expedited SNAP benefits may be available if you’re facing a delay that creates urgent need. Call your local SNAP office and specifically ask about expedited processing for seniors. Some states fast-track benefits for older adults in emergency situations.
Local food pantries and senior centers often provide free groceries, fresh produce and sometimes home delivery for seniors with mobility issues. Many don’t require extensive paperwork or waiting periods.
Use your state’s food assistance locator tool at USA.gov to find every senior food program operating in your area. Some programs have waiting lists, so apply now even if you don’t need help immediately.
Shopping Strategies That Work Today
While you’re waiting for assistance or SNAP approval, these tactics stretch whatever grocery money you have further.
Plan meals before shopping. Check what’s already in your pantry, refrigerator and freezer. Build a week of meals around those existing items, write a shopping list for only what’s missing, then stick to that list at the store. This eliminates impulse purchases that destroy budgets.
Use senior discounts religiously. Many grocery stores offer 5% to 10% discounts for seniors on specific days — often Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Ask at customer service which day your store discounts senior purchases. Combine this with digital coupons and store loyalty programs to max out your savings.
Buy store brands instead of name brands. House brands typically cost less than name brands for equivalent quality. The pasta, canned goods and dairy products often come from the same manufacturers as pricier name-brand versions.
Choose seasonal produce or frozen alternatives. Fresh strawberries in December can cost much more than they do in June. Buy whatever produce is currently in season for the lowest prices. Frozen fruits and vegetables deliver the same nutrition, last months without spoiling and often cost less than fresh.
Check unit pricing carefully. That giant package might look cheaper until you realize it costs more per ounce than the smaller size. For seniors living alone, buying huge quantities means food spoils before you eat it, wasting money regardless of per-unit price.
Shop less frequently and never hungry. Fewer trips to the store mean fewer opportunities for impulse purchases. Shopping on an empty stomach increases temptation to grab expensive convenience foods.
Freeze sale items strategically. When chicken or ground beef goes on sale, buy extra and freeze portions for later. This works for bread, butter and many other items seniors use regularly.
Act Now, Don’t Wait
If you’re looking to cut costs, start with emergency food assistance programs today while implementing these shopping strategies immediately. Every dollar saved on groceries is a dollar available for medications, utilities or other fixed expenses.
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