Is it possible to cook healthy, delicious food and save money on your grocery bill? Absolutely!

Save Money When You Buy Local Produce

Look no further than your local farmers market to save on fresh, local produce! Buying local fruits and vegetables while abundant in season helps you select food at its peak nutritional value while trimming the costs of the middlemen (for expenses such as food distribution, storage, and marketing). A side note: Not all items sold at the market are at competitive costs, but generally, fruits, vegetables, herbs, eggs, seafood and meat can be found at a great value!  Also, shopping at the market may help cut down on buying costly packaged or prepared food products, that may result in even more savings!  Take notes on the savings and be strategic where you shop for food ingredients so that, for you, it makes the most sense and saves the most cents.  Every cent counts and adds up at the end of the year!

For many people, the idea of stretching your food dollar may feel like subscribing to the FOMO diet (fear of missing out), cutting back on your favorite foods and stocking up on cheaper items such as instant noodles with dehydrated vegetables and canned goods for entrees and veggies.  Don’t worry — we’ll explore ideas on how to make cutting food costs fun and flavorful!

Increase Your Fruit and Vegetable Intake

Benefits: According to a 2019 CDC nationwide survey report, adult fruit and vegetable consumption was 12.3 % and 10.0 % of their estimated needs, respectively. Increasing consumption of plant-based foods can have a profound impact on health outcomes by boosting the immune system, supporting digestive health, and preventing numerous types of chronic disease.

What are my daily targets for fruits and vegetables?   Recommendations may vary; however, the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise incorporating more fruits and vegetables into U.S. residents’ diets as part of healthy dietary patterns. Adults should consume 1.5–2 cup-equivalents of fruits and 2–3 cup-equivalents of vegetables daily.  For general guidance you can reference the MyPlate link below.  Note, it is always recommended to check with your healthcare provider prior to changing your diet and for any individualized guidance.

MyPlate Plan

Now Let’s Add Some Fun, Flavor, and Zest

Try a new recipe and make it fun! You don’t have to do it alone. Save the coffee date for later and instead invite a neighbor, friend, or family member into your kitchen to cook a new recipe together as a fun way to spend quality time.   Maybe you can double the recipe and split the costs?

Engage your sense of smell by cooking with a variety of aromatic herbs and spices instead of using sugar, salt and fat.  This creates richly-flavored Florida dishes, with added health benefits at a lower cost to your pocket book and your health.  See the link below to learn how and why to use herbs and spices.

Seasoning with Herbs and Spices

Explore delicious, seasonal recipes at the Fresh from Florida website, linked below, to add to your weekly plan of entrees, sides, snacks, or desserts.  Follow the link below, click on an ingredient and unlock a variety of free recipes to try!

What’s In Season – Fresh From Florida

Make a list of your weekly ingredient needs for Florida-grown ingredients and visit your local farmers market. Click the link below to find a market near you.

Map of Florida Farmers Markets — Find a Market in Your Area.

Here is a fun produce checklist to make sure your weekly meal plan includes plenty of fruit and vegetable variety.

✅Select a rainbow of colors of fruits and vegetables.

✅Try selecting produce based on the eating all of the plant parts (e.g. stem, seed, root, flower, leaves).

✅Try a new vegetable or fruit per week.

✅Try 3 ways to cook one vegetable. You can even try zucchini quick bread or carrot cake for a sweet treat!

✅Try to eat a plant-based food at each of the 3 meals.

Now is the time to act to become your healthiest self, physically and financially!

For more creative ways to save on your groceries in 2026, don’t forget to register now for our free webinar on Tuesday, December 30 at 12:00 PM.

EVENTBRITE : Stretching Your Food Dollar in 2026 (webinar) Registration

Other ways to save and get creative with Florida fresh food

Find a local U-Pick farm at either one of these sites:

Agritourism – Fresh From Florida

Edible Sarasota 2025-2026 Farm Guide: Local Farms + Farmers Markets – Edible Sarasota (check out the digital version linked on this page.)

Last Minute Holiday Recipe Ideas

Turkey with Florida Citrus Brine – Fresh From Florida

Florida Green Bean Casserole – Fresh From Florida

Florida Wild Turkey Cottage Pie – Fresh From Florida

References

Lee, S. H., Moore, L. V., Park, S., Harris, D. M., & Blanck, H. M. (2022). Adults meeting fruit and vegetable intake recommendations — United States, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 71(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7101a1 cdc.gov

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020.  http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAS2010-PolicyDocument.htm

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