I've been asked where I shop. I think everyone has their favorites but I feel I get the best prices at Winco, two locations in Kennewick on Clearwater Ave. & in Richland off of George Washington Way; Costco behind Columbia Center is also a favorite; and the Cash & Carry off of Columbia Blvd. is where I usually find the best buys on meat. I buy the whole boneless beef shoulders, cut them up into roasts & stew meat; also whole top sirloins and slice them into steaks. I also usually pick up pork shoulders and pork tenderloins there, cut them into roasts & 'chops', package and freeze.
Andy's in College Place (by Walla Walla) has a large selection of bulk foods. No need to drive there just to check it out - they have a web site where you can view their products and prices at http://andysmarket.com/ You can even order thru the web and then drive over there for "local pick up." Keep in mind that it is a Seven Day Adventist town and the market is closed on Saturdays. Winco also has a decent bulk foods section and Highland Health Foods (Kennewick & Richland) has a variety of beans & grains available in 25# & 50# sacks although I find their prices high. They usually prepackage some of their product in small bags ~1#, 2#, 5# etc. so if I want to try a new grain that I can't find elsewhere in town I see if they have it.
Coupon shopping. Sometimes I get all excited about this and other times it just strikes me as too much trouble. I do rely on a gal named Karrie who has a blog/website at http://happymoneysaver.com/ She combs the local ads and posts those, notes freebies and coupons and tells you how to use them & where. If you follow her blog you can find some great deals to stretch your budget.
Of course I always take advantage of the basics provided by the Church Cannery. I have scheduled dates every other month this year. I always try for the 1st Tuesday of the month. Time & date is posted in the ward bulletin & a sign up sheet is passed around Primary, Young Women's & Relief Society. Sorry guys - I haven't been giving you one as you all wait for the women to sign up! Next dates are in Oct. & Dec. Order forms are available at: http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,8133-1-4352-1,00.html
If you become aware of great deals, good prices or gleaning opportunities please feel free to share!
Becoming Self-Reliant
Monday, September 13, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Blue Chip Group/Augason Farms
The Blue Chip Group in Salt Lake City has consolidated with Augason Farms. They produce the Morning Moo (whey milk substitute) that many people have used. Their new web site address is: http://www.augasonfarms.com/ On their web site they have a product list along with "the deal of the day" and a closeout section.
I will be placing an order to Augason Farms, due Sept. 17 by 9am. The advantage to a group order is that shipping will be minimal. I will be charging only $1 per order placed with me as opposed to up to $12 per order if you do it yourself. When shipped out of state there is no sales tax either. I will be ordering a couple of 50# bags of the Swiss Whey D'lite Milk Substitute for myself. It is $79 per bag and my official test taster (Will) has announced that he will indeed drink it so with a 50# bag making approximately 62 gals of milk my cost per gallon of milk will be about $1.27. The chocolate Swiss Whey D'lite is $97.50/50#.
Morning Moo is available too but it is running $109.00/50# bag & the chocolate Morning Moo is $97.50/50#.
Keep in mind, while we are not allowed to can this at the cannery, we may individually check out the portable canner; use the Mylar bagger (it and supplies can be picked up at my house); or if you're like me and this is something that you're using now you may keep it in 5 gal. buckets/glass containers etc. as it is shelf stable once opened at 70 degrees for 1 year.
I WILL BRING SAMPLES OF BOTH THE SWISS D'LITE AND MORNING MOO TO R.S. THIS SUNDAY, SEPT. 12 so you can see if it is anything you're interested in.
You are free to order anything you like, but watch their prices. Some of their dehydrated/freeze dried items can be found for a better price on Emergency Essentials sales, plus one might want to keep an eye on Honeyville specials http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/ and Shelf Reliance http://www.shelfreliance.com/ web sites also. If you ever feel there would be an advantage to a group order from the other places I'd be happy to see what we can do as a ward.
Meanwhile, if you happen to be headed to UTAH IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS....
Blue Chip/Augason Farms is in the middle of switching their labels up and has a lovely back room full of product (mostly #10 cans) that they are selling for a discount until old labels are gone. Already canned Morning Moo is going for $7/can which is 4 pounds. ~12 cans makes up a 50# bag of product, so for $84 your Morning Moo is already canned for you and has a shelf life of 20 years. Their freeze dried fruit - blueberries, raspberries etc. are going for $15/#10 can. The only problem is they will not ship these old label product, they are available for in store pick up ONLY. I wouldn't make a special trip but if you're headed that way it might be something you want to consider. Most of their products are available w/old labels so feel free to surf their site and get a feel for what's available. And yes, I was checking the cans and I didn't find anything dated older than a year so I was happy with what I picked up. Their hours are 10-5 M-F. They are not open on Sat. or holidays. The retail outlet is located at 3431 S. 500 W. Salt Lake City, Utah. It is extremely easy to find, just right off of the freeway on the west side.
I will be placing an order to Augason Farms, due Sept. 17 by 9am. The advantage to a group order is that shipping will be minimal. I will be charging only $1 per order placed with me as opposed to up to $12 per order if you do it yourself. When shipped out of state there is no sales tax either. I will be ordering a couple of 50# bags of the Swiss Whey D'lite Milk Substitute for myself. It is $79 per bag and my official test taster (Will) has announced that he will indeed drink it so with a 50# bag making approximately 62 gals of milk my cost per gallon of milk will be about $1.27. The chocolate Swiss Whey D'lite is $97.50/50#.
Morning Moo is available too but it is running $109.00/50# bag & the chocolate Morning Moo is $97.50/50#.
Keep in mind, while we are not allowed to can this at the cannery, we may individually check out the portable canner; use the Mylar bagger (it and supplies can be picked up at my house); or if you're like me and this is something that you're using now you may keep it in 5 gal. buckets/glass containers etc. as it is shelf stable once opened at 70 degrees for 1 year.
I WILL BRING SAMPLES OF BOTH THE SWISS D'LITE AND MORNING MOO TO R.S. THIS SUNDAY, SEPT. 12 so you can see if it is anything you're interested in.
You are free to order anything you like, but watch their prices. Some of their dehydrated/freeze dried items can be found for a better price on Emergency Essentials sales, plus one might want to keep an eye on Honeyville specials http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/ and Shelf Reliance http://www.shelfreliance.com/ web sites also. If you ever feel there would be an advantage to a group order from the other places I'd be happy to see what we can do as a ward.
Meanwhile, if you happen to be headed to UTAH IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS....
Blue Chip/Augason Farms is in the middle of switching their labels up and has a lovely back room full of product (mostly #10 cans) that they are selling for a discount until old labels are gone. Already canned Morning Moo is going for $7/can which is 4 pounds. ~12 cans makes up a 50# bag of product, so for $84 your Morning Moo is already canned for you and has a shelf life of 20 years. Their freeze dried fruit - blueberries, raspberries etc. are going for $15/#10 can. The only problem is they will not ship these old label product, they are available for in store pick up ONLY. I wouldn't make a special trip but if you're headed that way it might be something you want to consider. Most of their products are available w/old labels so feel free to surf their site and get a feel for what's available. And yes, I was checking the cans and I didn't find anything dated older than a year so I was happy with what I picked up. Their hours are 10-5 M-F. They are not open on Sat. or holidays. The retail outlet is located at 3431 S. 500 W. Salt Lake City, Utah. It is extremely easy to find, just right off of the freeway on the west side.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Seven Major Mistakes in Food Storage
We were at my favorite "emergency preparedness" store. I clutched the #10 can of Brownie Mix to my chest. The husband grinned - he likes brownies.
Do I need a couple of 'spendy' cans of brownie mix. Not realllly. I have the ingredients to make them from scratch. But I keep the cans on hand so that if there is an emergency, the electricity goes off, or there is an ice storm and we can't get to the store and just want to grab some quick comfort food to make - it's there.
The husband can be as happy as he wants to see them in the cart but the reality is he's probably not going to have these particular brownies for 5 - 10 years. If we're lucky he'll only eat them when I have to rotate them.
I like to keep a variety of food stuffs on hand. That way I have to learn to cook with them and have recipes that I know work. Plus if we do find ourselves in a situation where we have to use our year's supply on a regular basis no one will suffer from the appetite fatigue that can set in from having too little variety.
I found a good article about things to think about while you're building your food storage at USA Emergency Supply. If you click on the following link you can read about Seven Major Mistakes in Food Storage .
Hope it gives you some good ideas.
Do I need a couple of 'spendy' cans of brownie mix. Not realllly. I have the ingredients to make them from scratch. But I keep the cans on hand so that if there is an emergency, the electricity goes off, or there is an ice storm and we can't get to the store and just want to grab some quick comfort food to make - it's there.
The husband can be as happy as he wants to see them in the cart but the reality is he's probably not going to have these particular brownies for 5 - 10 years. If we're lucky he'll only eat them when I have to rotate them.
I like to keep a variety of food stuffs on hand. That way I have to learn to cook with them and have recipes that I know work. Plus if we do find ourselves in a situation where we have to use our year's supply on a regular basis no one will suffer from the appetite fatigue that can set in from having too little variety.
I found a good article about things to think about while you're building your food storage at USA Emergency Supply. If you click on the following link you can read about Seven Major Mistakes in Food Storage .
Hope it gives you some good ideas.
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