Getting Ahead of the Holiday Meal Cost- Perishables Part 6

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field of collard greens

We are coming to the end of our series. It’s beginning to feel like the holidays! Where we have good food and spend precious time with family and friends. We have prepared our kitchen and pulled out our favorite recipes (Part 1 ), stocked our shelves with canned goods (Part 2 ), purchased dry ingredients (Part 3 ), secured our favorite spices (Part 4 ), and filled the freezer (Part 5 ), it’s now time to purchase the perishable items. Fresh fruits and vegetables are perishable items, and as indicated by their name, do not have a long shelf life. Dairy is also considered perishable. You will want to purchase fresh ingredients close to the time of meal preparation. Carefully select your produce to avoid over ripe or badly bruised items. This will reduce food waste and ensure optimal freshness on your holiday table.

By now I am sure you have your menu fully planned and you know exactly what items remain. You have already purchased shelf-stable and frozen food items, now all that remains are the perishable fresh items. Do not forget to check your local Farmer’s Market to see what is in season. Some local farmer’s markets offer Double Bucks on their produce allowing you to save more SNAP dollars. Purchasing at your local Farmer’s Market also supports local Farmers in your area! Check out the North Carolina Farm Fresh directory to locate your county market. 

If you’re unable to purchase at the Farmer’s Market, you can still utilize SNAP benefits at a local grocery store. 

Some of the most popular perishable items include: 

* Fresh Breads                                           * Dairy produce (milk, cheese, etc)

* Fresh Fruits                                             * Meat (that you don’t plan to freeze)

* Fresh Herbs                                            *Fresh Vegetables

* Fresh Pastries

Preparing now saves headache and money later. Try not to get caught in the holiday grocery shopping rush! Happy Holidays! 

The Getting Ahead of Holiday Meal Cost series is sponsored by the  More In My Basket (MIMB) Program. Visit the More In My Basket website for the complete series or to contact the More In My Basket staff.

For more information please contact Sheila Gregory at sheila_gregory@ncsu.edu or via phone at 252-232-2261.