You Can Eat Well and Save at the Co-op
9 Insider Tips to Smart Grocery Shopping and Big Savings
Shop the deals. There are a lot of great deals at the co-op! Get to know our sales cycles to find the best deals on the foods you love. Use our sales flyers or the Co+op Deals App when you plan your meals. You can find current sales flyers at the co-op or on our website at: www.viroquafood.coop/sales.
Join the co-op. For a one-time equity investment of $75, you can become a member-owner, and you can save at the co-op every time you shop! With our Owner Extras benefit, co-op owners enjoy an additional 10% off items already on sale in the Co+op Deals Flyer. These are real savings you’ll see at the register.
Redeem coupons. Manufacturer coupons, CX Survey coupons and coupons on products or on the shelf offer real value! Keep your eye out for great coupons for savings at the register.
Plan your meals. Meal planning helps to avoid impulse shopping and eliminates food waste. When you plan out a week's worth of meals, you can buy only the ingredients you need, like one onion instead of a bag of onions or a cup of flour from the bulk department instead of a whole bag.
Keep it simple. A complex menu for every day of the week is unrealistic for most people. Keep it simple: buy the jarred pasta sauce and add in some of your favorite fresh veggies to make a quick, complete and nutritious meal.
Indulge a little. Use low-cost, basic ingredients like rice and beans to stretch your food budget. Then, add a bit of your favorite splurges, like artisan cheese or fermented vegetables, to add loads of flavor and character to your meal!
Make a list. A shopping list helps you buy only what you need.
Plan for leftovers. Plan a leftover night and clean out the fridge! Write a date on all your leftovers and opened items to ensure they are safe to eat. Then, make a plan to use them up before they expire.
Buy foods in season. Fresh food in season is often plentiful, cheaper to buy, and, at the co-op, locally produced. Plan your meals around seasonally available items, or learn how to preserve the foods you love for off-season eating. Freezing is a quick and easy option that preserves the nutrients in fresh foods.
