It’s a stressful time for many Americans, especially those who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under the government shutdown, SNAP benefits were halted in November, affecting 42 million people.

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And while the Trump administration is now facing court orders to fully fund the program, anti-hunger advocates say it will take time for funding to resume, regardless.

On top of the SNAP delays, recent federal changes to food assistance programs have added restrictions, increasing the uncertainty.

Beyond SNAP, high grocery costs are hitting nearly all Americans. Since February 2020, food prices have jumped 29 percent nationally, with another 3.2 percent increase in the past year. More than half of households cite grocery costs as their biggest worry—more than rent, health care, or student loans.

Civil Eats has gathered some of the best ways shoppers can stretch their nutrition budget. From food-matching programs to volunteer opportunities and co-op memberships, these strategies offer suggestions for families to eat well and save money.

1. Bulk Buying and End-of-Day Discounts

Near closing time, many farmers’ markets reduce prices on “seconds”—slightly bruised or overripe produce. Many grocery stores discount meat, dairy, or bread nearing their sell-by dates. Families can also pool resources by bulk buying with friends and splitting costs.

At Cleveland’s West Side Market, for example, vendors offer bulk boxes at half price before closing. One Saturday stand recently offered 10 pounds of tomatoes for $8.

“If you can can it, freeze it, or cook it that night, it’s the cheapest way to eat fresh,” said West Side Market vendor Maria Sanchez.

2. Cooking Demos and Recipe Kits

Many grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and libraries host cooking demonstrations and provide free recipe cards. Recipe kits may bundle produce and other ingredients at discounted prices with meal instructions. Some farmers’ markets even give vouchers to demo attendees for spending on fruits and vegetables that day.

At Detroit’s Eastern Market, chefs prepare dishes like kale salad, offering samples and recipe cards. Last summer, a $10 stir-fry kit with cabbage, peppers, and carrots could feed a family of four.

3. Co-op Membership Discounts

Food co-ops often provide discounts to households receiving SNAP, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), or other assistance. Once approved, discounts apply automatically at checkout. Many co-ops also offer all members benefits like quarterly dividends and bulk-buying discounts.

Weaver Street Market in North Carolina, for example, offers members up to 20 percent off. The “Nourish” program at Seward Co-op in Minnesota gives 10 percent off to households that earn below the area’s median income or receive public assistance.

The “Food for All” program in New Hampshire and Vermont also gives 10 percent off daily to households receiving public assistance. “For many shoppers, it’s the difference between having beans *and *rice instead of just one or the other,” said Maya Russo, a resident of Hanover, New Hampshire.

**4. Loyalty Programs and Discount Chains **

Loyalty cards help families save on staples through points for discounts on groceries, or by reducing fuel prices. These programs often collect personal data that retailers may monetize, but for some the savings are worth it.

Stores like Safeway, Vons, and Albertsons offer discounted prices to their loyalty members. In Ohio, Kroger Plus Card members save on groceries and gas. Toledo shopper Derrick Herbst saved $20 last month: “The points covered pasta and rice, and I got a gas discount too,” he said. Some shoppers stack digital coupons with promotions for extra savings.

Discount chains, typically cheaper than mainstream stores, are another option. Grocery Outlet, for instance, offers 40 percent to 70 percent off name-brand groceries, as well as fresh produce, whole grains, dairy, and plant-based proteins.

At a recent Grocery Outlet in Sacramento, shoppers could find organic spinach for $1.99 a bag and wild-caught salmon fillets for half the supermarket price. Chains like Aldi and Lidl similarly stock affordable produce and staples such as brown rice, lentils, and low-sodium canned beans—proof that nutritious food doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag.

5. Flash-Sale and Surplus Apps

Apps like Flashfood and Too Good To Go partner with grocers and restaurants to sell near-expiration or end-of-day items at steep discounts. Shoppers browse on the app, purchase, and pick up in-store. In San Francisco, Too Good To Go users can find surprise bags from bakeries for as little as $5.

Seth Nguyen, a Lansing, Michigan student, uses Flashfood daily to purchase his food in bulk—perfect for full-time students, who don’t have the time to grocery shop on a regular basis. “I got a $35 box of yogurt, peppers, and lettuce for $12,” he said of his bulk purchase. “That should last me for at least a week.”

6. Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides a one-time seasonal voucher of $30 to $50 at the beginning of the farmer’s market season to families receiving benefits through WIC. The program also helps low-income seniors over 60: Vouchers are distributed weekly through WIC offices or senior centers and redeemable with authorized vendors.

Gloria Llyod, a retiree in Ypsilanti, Michigan, uses her $50 weekly voucher for peaches and corn. “It keeps me eating healthy without worrying about the price,” she says.

Beyond WIC, many bakeries, restaurants, and grocery stores also offer their own discounts to seniors to help stretch their food budgets further.

7. Workshares and Volunteer Discounts

Some community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs and farms offer workshares, where people can volunteer in exchange for discounted produce. Examples include Empower Farms CSA in Florida, Jubilee Farm in Washington state, and Crabtree Farms in Tennessee.

At Fresh Fork Market in Cleveland, people volunteer for distribution shifts to reduce their CSA costs, helping to unload trucks or pack produce boxes. Each four-hour shift earns the worker $25 in credit toward a weekly share.

Mary Flemming, a retiree and regular volunteer, said the work keeps her active and connected. “It’s not just about the savings—it’s about being part of the community,” she told Civil Eats.

8. Frozen and Canned Food

Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables offer comparable nutrition at lower prices. Frozen produce is picked at peak ripeness, while canned options, often available with no added sugar or salt, provide shelf-stable nutrition. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good—conventional, frozen, or canned options still provide essential nutrients.

Shopper David Morales said he checks the discount rack at the People’s Food Co-op in Ann Arbor, Michigan, daily: “It stretches my budget without sacrificing nutrition.”

9. Community Resourcefulness

While this is not technically a shopping strategy, you can supplement your trips to the grocery store with food from local food banks and pantries, your garden, or your neighborhood.

Many food pantries prioritize fresh produce. The Feeding America network of 200-plus food banks connects people with free pantries nationwide. Mobile pantries deliver pre-packed grocery boxes to neighborhoods.

In Texas, for instance, North Texas Food Bank’s mobile pantry visits communities like Rockwall twice monthly. AmpleHarvest.org coordinates backyard garden donations to pantries in all 50 states, and their website also helps families find the pantries receiving those donations.

For those with outdoor space, home gardens—even small plots or containers—can yield herbs, tomatoes, and greens. Community gardens offer low-cost plot rentals, making fresh food accessible right in your neighborhood.

Gleaning is also increasingly popular. In Atlanta, for example, Patricia Williams forages neighborhood pecans each fall for year-round baking. Check out apps like Falling Fruit, which map publicly accessible fruit and nut trees nationwide.

10. Matching Funds Programs

Ordinarily, several programs match SNAP dollars spent on fruits and vegetables, effectively doubling purchasing power for fresh produce. Often funded through federal Gus Schumacher Nutritional Incentive Program (GusNIP) grants, these initiatives operate under different names by state or region.

In most places, the process is the same: Shoppers swipe their EBT cards at participating farmers’ markets or grocery stores, and produce purchases are instantly matched with tokens or credits, usually up to $20 daily.

Double Up Food Bucks, launched by Michigan’s Fair Food Network, now operates in more than 25 states, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Idaho, Hawaii, Kansas, New York, and Wyoming. In Michigan, the Fair Food Network has expanded the program during the shutdown and tried to make it more flexible.

A similar program in California called Market Match works at more than 250 farmers’ markets. In New York, FreshConnect matches purchases dollar for dollar. And in Pennsylvania, Fresh Access Pittsburgh helps SNAP benefits go further. In Cleveland, Dave’s Markets participates in Produce Perks Midwest. “It cut my bill by $12 last week,” said shopper Angela Ruiz, a mother of two.

As American households are feeling price pressure, every cut counts, but nutritious eating doesn’t have to break the bank.

Got a tip for strategies for buying nutritious food on a budget? Please share them with our community in the comments section below.