fsne single serving display - home | ...before shopping… • look at the food you already have on...

FSNE Single Serving Display

UNMANNED DISPLAY

Try to limit your visuals; the display contains a lot of information in itself, so too many additional visuals could detract from the main message. Below are some suggestions to accompany this display:

•Display handout

•Single serving oatmeal packages (store-bought and homemade), each labeled with price

•Recipe for Single Serving Oatmeal

•“EatSmart, Plan Ahead” and “Stretch Your Food Dollars” handouts

MINI SESSION

The following activity is for use with the display in a 15-20 minute session. Your goal is behavior change, so discuss the display, use opening questions to personalize this activity, conduct the activity, and send the participants off with a good idea of the goal (to make their own single serving foods to save money).

Take Home Messages

•Single serving packages are often more expensive to buy, but are easy to make on your own. •Plastic zipper-lock bags are inexpensive but not reusable, while plastic containers are more expensive but washable and reusable. Each person will need to decide which is better for her situation. •Buying a larger amount of the product and immediately pre-mixing/dividing it all at once into single serving sizes saves time. •Other foods that lend themselves to homemade single servings are dry breakfast cereal, applesauce, crackers, and many others.

Opening Questions

• Ask, “What are some foods that you buy now in single serving sizes?” • Ask, “How could you package these foods yourself at home?” OR “What could you use for containers so you would be able to provide a single serving to someone?”

Quick Oats ................. $3.59/30 servingsInstant Oatmeal ........ $6.00/30 servings

Quick Oatsinstead of

Instant Oatmeal

Want to Save Money? Skip Single Serving Foods!

Wow, we eat oatmeal almost everyday. Our family can save a lot of money if we buy Quick Oats and add raisins and brown sugar instead of using instant oatmeal packets.

You Save

$2.41

Instant Pudding* ...... $2.09/6 servingsSnack ......................... $2.69/6 servings*Includes cost of milk

Instant Pudding instead of

Pudding Snack Pack

You Save

$.60

You Save

$1.25

Chunk ......................... $3.99/16 servingsString Cheese ............ $4.64/16 servings

Chunk Mozzarella Cheese instead of

Mozzarella String Cheese

You Save

$.65

I am amazed at how much money I could save if I stopped buying single serving foods. It is not hard to divide food into small containers and it is something I can do.

I am going to use small reusable containers to pack snacks for our lunch-es instead of buying single serving foods. I am trying to save money at the grocery store and this is something I can easily do that won’t change what we eat.

100% Apple Juice instead of

100% Apple Juice Boxes

64 oz. bottle .............. $3.00/9.5 servings Juice Boxes ................ $4.25/9.5 servings

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP in cooperation with Maryland’s Department of Human Services and University of Maryland Extension. The University of Maryland Extension will not discriminate against any person because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.

Activity

1. Assemble the materials you will need (container of generic quick oats; raisins/dried cranberries/dried cherries/dried blueberries; brown sugar; zipper-lock bags OR reusable plastic containers; measuring spoons; 1/2 cup measuring cup).

2. If possible, have the participants wash their hands. Otherwise, use hand sanitizer. 3. Invite everyone to gather around a table (adjacent to but separate from the display, if possible).

4. Give each participant a zipper-lock bag and have them follow the recipe to make their own single serving packet.

5. Have recipes printed out and give one to each participant.

Closing Question

• Ask, “What will you do differently after today?” (Encourage them to make their own single serving foods to save money.)

Background Info (FOR EDUCATORS ONLY)

Food Item Cost Servings Price per serving Price per similar serving unit

42 ounce Giant Brand Quick Oats $3.59 30 .12 per serving $3.59/30 servings

15 ounce box of Giant Instant Oatmeal $2.00 10 .20 per serving $6.00/30 servings

Price Difference $2.41

Juicy Juice 100% Apple Juice – 8 pack (6.75 ounces per box) $3.59 8 .45 per serving $4.25/9.5 servings

Juicy Juice 100% Apple Juice – 64 ounce bottle $3.00 9.48 .32 per serving $3.00/9.5 servings

Price Difference $1.25Giant Cheese – Mozzarella Part-skim chunk $3.99 16 .25 per serving $3.99/16 servings

Giant Cheese – Mozzarella – String Cheese $3.29 12 .29 per serving $4.64/16 servings


Giant Instant Pudding + Giant brand milk $1.39 4 .35 per serving $2.09/6 servings

Giant Pudding – Snack – 4 ounce 6 pack $2.69 6 .45 per serving $2.69/6 servings




Single Serving Oatmeal Recipe1. Put 1/2 cup of dry oatmeal in a bag or container.

2. Add 1 Tablespoon of dried fruit to bag.

3. Add a pinch of brown sugar (optional).4. Seal the bag or container and store.

To use: Empty packet into a microwave-safe bowl, then stir in 1 cup of water or milk. Microwave on High 2 1/2 to 3 minutes; stir again before eating.















Before You Go to the Store . . .

Take a few minutes each week to think about what you will buy at the grocery store. You can save more money than you realize!

• Before you shop, take a few minutes to plan out meals for that week. Look at the weekly sale flyers and coupon inserts.

• Make a list of snacks or brown bag lunches that you can prepare for your kids and yourself!

• Keep a list on your fridge. As you run out of items, add them to the list.

When it’s time to write your grocery list, look at the recipes and snacks you chose for the week and the list of items you ran out of. It may also help to write your grocery list in the kitchen so that you can check to see what you have on hand.

At the Store . . .

• Pick the right time to shop Don’t go shopping when you are hungry because you will spend more money at the store! • Buy store-brand or generic items Store-brand or generic items cost less and usually taste the same as more expensive brands.

• Compare unit prices The unit price will tell you the cost per ounce, pound, or pint of food so you know which brand is cheapest to buy. The unit price is normally marked on a shelf sticker just below the product.

• Choose the “right” food Use the “stoop and rise” method of searching for deals. Items at eye level are usually the most expensive, so look high and low.

• Fruits and vegetables in season are usually the freshest and often the cheapest!

For more tips on saving money on food, visit the Eat Smart, Be Fit, Maryland! website at http://www.eatsmart.umd.edu

FSNE Eat Smart, Plan Ahead

Adapted from the Eat Smart, Be Fit, Maryland! Web Site (http://www.eatsmart.umd.edu)



FSNE Stretch Your Food Dollars

Before shopping…• Look at the food you already have on hand.• Make a shopping list.• Review your budget.• Plan meals and snacks using the MyPlate food guide.• Try to plan at least one meal a week without meat.• Search in magazines and newspapers for store specials and coupons.• Cut out coupons for foods you use.• Find out if there are any farmers’ markets in your area. (Often you can get great deals on fresh fruits and vegetables.)

Get ready to shop…• Make sure you don’t forget to take your list and coupons.• Avoid shopping if hungry, tired, or rushed.• If possible, shop alone and when the store is not crowded.

At the store…• Stick to the list.• Buy store-brand or generic items--they cost less and usually taste the same as the more expensive brands.• Think twice about convenience foods; is it a “want” or “need”?• Consider buying in “bulk”--you may get a cheaper unit price and save money.• Compare the prices of fresh, frozen, and canned foods to get the best deal.• Look at the “sell by” or “best if used by” dates on packages. Pick the package with the latest date so you get the freshest food.

When you get home…• Store food properly to avoid spoilage and waste.• Use your freezer! It’s great for leftovers.• At mealtimes, bring plates to the table already filled to avoid overeating, as well as to keep more food for leftovers.

Adapted from the Eat Smart, Be Fit, Maryland! Web Site (http://www.eatsmart.umd.edu)



fsne single serving display - home | ...before shopping… • look at the food you already have on...

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