I love ALL of these ideas. This is something I have thought about a lot, partially because I am always thinking about food, and partially because my former job was all about making food more affordable for people.
All of your tips are spot on. Eating more in season produce is definitely one of my top money saving techniques. I have invested in several vegetarian cookbooks so I can try recipes that are plant based and see what we like, and I almost never buy red meat. Huge money saver!
I did try a meat share from Clark Farm in Carlisle MA, which was fun, but ultimately I would not do again because it was just a lot of meat, and some cuts that I was not skilled enough to make taste good.
When I buy in bulk, I like to spend some time on the weekend doing meal prep (if you have the mental space, and a child free kitchen, or your kids want to help) and if I do the prep work, I actually eat the food.
Also, your idea of re-making leftovers ("nextovers" is a term I got from the Cook 90 cookbook, and I love the idea) always makes everyone excited because even if we are eating chicken for 2 dinners and 1 lunch, it's 3 different ways, and so no one gets bored.
Good luck with your garden. I want to hear more about what you try. Some thoughts for you to get started: see if you can find an in person or online seed swap. It is the cheapest way to get seeds! There are lots of community garden programs that offer gardening classes cheap or free and they are open to the public - a great place to learn tried and true techniques and meet other gardeners who have wisdom and stuff to share. And take Square Foot Gardening out of the library - one of the best books to start with. (OK, I've written enough. This post really sparked joy for me!).
I love all your thoughts!!! I want to hear more about your meat share experience. I did a CSA a long time ago and I mostly got lettuce and kale, so I know I can’t commit to a veggie CSA. I would be worried about having enough time to cook odd cuts as well.
I love the term nextovers! That’s so fun. I have been planning meals like this for a long time. It’s hard to eat the same thing over again, but it’s not as hard when the next meal is something different.
I’m pretty sure the bunnies are going to attack what we try to plant. Or squirrels. I am going to go get that book out pronto. And I’ll document my successes (and failures) here!
Thanks for being one of my core readers and engaging! I love our conversations!
Sorry reply took so long! I don't think Substack notified me of your reply ;)
Anyways - the Clark Farm meat share was fun, and I though a good value for the money. You definitely need a large freezer or second freezer, as you get the whole thing all at once! If I were to do it again, I'd look for someone to split it with, and possibly cook with (someone who knows how to cook things like trotters and jowls, etc. as I totally wrecked those items because I didn't know what I was doing.)
Not sure if Clark is close to you, but they have SO MANY CSA options now, which is cool.
I also did Walden Meats deliveries for a long time. That is a little more manageable. I think it comes once a month, and you can pick what you want and don't want, and add things on as you need. It's a bit pricier, but it's delivered right to your house, it's all local and free range, and you can tell them very specifically what you want/don't want, so everything gets used. They also have special holiday add ons, like you can get an Easter ham, St. Patrick's corned beef, Thanksgiving turkey, etc. I think right now they are offering "a year of free chicken" if you sign up. I also just got an email from the company like "our prices will not be effected by tariffs!" (I have a referral code if you want - you get like $75 credit or something. LMK!)
I love ALL of these ideas. This is something I have thought about a lot, partially because I am always thinking about food, and partially because my former job was all about making food more affordable for people.
All of your tips are spot on. Eating more in season produce is definitely one of my top money saving techniques. I have invested in several vegetarian cookbooks so I can try recipes that are plant based and see what we like, and I almost never buy red meat. Huge money saver!
I did try a meat share from Clark Farm in Carlisle MA, which was fun, but ultimately I would not do again because it was just a lot of meat, and some cuts that I was not skilled enough to make taste good.
When I buy in bulk, I like to spend some time on the weekend doing meal prep (if you have the mental space, and a child free kitchen, or your kids want to help) and if I do the prep work, I actually eat the food.
Also, your idea of re-making leftovers ("nextovers" is a term I got from the Cook 90 cookbook, and I love the idea) always makes everyone excited because even if we are eating chicken for 2 dinners and 1 lunch, it's 3 different ways, and so no one gets bored.
Good luck with your garden. I want to hear more about what you try. Some thoughts for you to get started: see if you can find an in person or online seed swap. It is the cheapest way to get seeds! There are lots of community garden programs that offer gardening classes cheap or free and they are open to the public - a great place to learn tried and true techniques and meet other gardeners who have wisdom and stuff to share. And take Square Foot Gardening out of the library - one of the best books to start with. (OK, I've written enough. This post really sparked joy for me!).
I love all your thoughts!!! I want to hear more about your meat share experience. I did a CSA a long time ago and I mostly got lettuce and kale, so I know I can’t commit to a veggie CSA. I would be worried about having enough time to cook odd cuts as well.
I love the term nextovers! That’s so fun. I have been planning meals like this for a long time. It’s hard to eat the same thing over again, but it’s not as hard when the next meal is something different.
I’m pretty sure the bunnies are going to attack what we try to plant. Or squirrels. I am going to go get that book out pronto. And I’ll document my successes (and failures) here!
Thanks for being one of my core readers and engaging! I love our conversations!
Sorry reply took so long! I don't think Substack notified me of your reply ;)
Anyways - the Clark Farm meat share was fun, and I though a good value for the money. You definitely need a large freezer or second freezer, as you get the whole thing all at once! If I were to do it again, I'd look for someone to split it with, and possibly cook with (someone who knows how to cook things like trotters and jowls, etc. as I totally wrecked those items because I didn't know what I was doing.)
Not sure if Clark is close to you, but they have SO MANY CSA options now, which is cool.
I also did Walden Meats deliveries for a long time. That is a little more manageable. I think it comes once a month, and you can pick what you want and don't want, and add things on as you need. It's a bit pricier, but it's delivered right to your house, it's all local and free range, and you can tell them very specifically what you want/don't want, so everything gets used. They also have special holiday add ons, like you can get an Easter ham, St. Patrick's corned beef, Thanksgiving turkey, etc. I think right now they are offering "a year of free chicken" if you sign up. I also just got an email from the company like "our prices will not be effected by tariffs!" (I have a referral code if you want - you get like $75 credit or something. LMK!)