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Ministries Unlimited Thought For The Week (#3)
February 25, 2025The rising cost of groceries impacts every household today. Eggs are one item with a rollercoaster price tag. Largely due to the avian flu virus, over 30 million chickens were slaughtered in 2025. Since 2022 there have been over 166 million chickens slaughtered. This causes a drastic shortage of eggs. Historically, any item in short supply with a high demand will also come with a high price tag. Even our local discount grocers are averaging around $4 a dozen with a limit of 2 dozen. How do we stretch our dollar? By meal planning, understanding date labels, freezing & preserving, and community food sharing. Not only will this help household budgets, but it will also help reduce food waste. Here are some meal planning tips to help you prepare a weekly menu. Use ingredients across multiple meals, this will help you reduce fresh produce waste. Plan for leftovers, this can provide you with an easy lunch or dinner later in the week. There are all kinds of creative recipes using leftovers on the web. Use freezer and pantry staples to help lower the cost of your weekly grocery bill.
For someone who loves to cook, being creative with your pantry items will provide your family with a really delicious twist on an old favorite. I have to admit that all of my creative dishes have not been the best, but they were always edible! I have utilized cheaper alternatives to more expensive cuts of meat. Although some cuts are tougher than others, they are also cheaper and work the same with a little tenderizer or by cooking at a lower temp for a longer period. Even spices and herbs can be swapped for less expensive alternatives. Do a google search to get the flavor profile and pick from your pantry. Enjoy the experience, have fun with it, and help reduce our food waste.
Submitted 2/25/2025 by Kathy Scheller, Director of Operations