YEAR ROUND PRESERVING AND FOOD STORAGE

     As the cold weather at this time of year begins to make it's presence known in earnest, many folks are thinking about the end of the canning and preserving season.  Self sufficiency is as much a journey as it is a destination though, so dig your canner and dehydrator back out of storage, and let's get busy!!

     Did you know that most products at your local Supermarket have an annual cycle of when they can be found on sale?  By understanding the "Grocery sales cycle" we can take advantage of the annual sales trends at our local grocery store, and in the process save a pile of money!!!  The Holidays for example are a great time to find a number of items on sale.  Here's a list of items to look for (By month,) if you're a savvy shopper you can find these items at the best price and, stock up on them for storage and preservation!

January;

(Super Bowl, New years, after Christmas, look for deals on ham, and turkey!)

Oatmeal, and Granola products, ingredients to make Chili, Snack foods, Oranges, Pears, Grapefruit, Tangerines, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Cabbage, Spinach, Crackers, Cheese.

February;

(Valentines, Chinese New year.) Artichoke, Asparagus, Raspberries, Potatoes, Strawberries, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Spinach, Canned meats, Soy Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Noodles, Canned Water Chestnuts.

March;

(Frozen foods month, St. Patrick's Day.) Artichoke, Asparagus, Haas Avocado, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Fennel, Kale, Leek, Lemon, Lime, Mushrooms, Spring Onions, Orange, Peas, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Strawberries, Tangerines,  Frozen veggies Corned Beef.

April;

(Easter, Earth Day.) Ham, Eggs, Spices, Baking Supplies: Sugar, Spices, Baking Mixes, Chocolate Chips, Butter, Coconut, Marshmallows, Brownie Mix, Cake Mixes, Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbages, Carrots, Grapefruit, Haas Avocado, Mushrooms, Onions, Peas, Rhubarb, Organic foods.

May;

(Memorial Day, Cinco De Mayo.) BBQ Sauce, Condiments, Charcoal, Salad Dressing, Potato Chips, Dips, Grilling Meats, Hot Dogs, Hamburger Meat, Marinade, Salad Greens,  Salsa, Tortillas, Canned Green Chilles,  Asparagus, Avocado, Beans, Green, Beets, Blackberries, Carrots, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Peas, New Potatoes, Raspberries, Strawberries.

June;

 (National Dairy Month, Look for 4th of July sales to start.)  Eggs, Milk, Ice Cream, Cheese, Cream Cheese, Butter, Yogurt, Whipping Cream, Whipped Cream, Cool Whip, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Condiments, Apricots, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cherries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Honeydew, Nectarines, Peaches, Potatoes, Raspberries, Red Onions, Squash, Summer, Strawberries, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Tomatoes, Watermelon. Of course you should be harvesting your own organic produce by now!

July;

(National Ice Cream Month, more 4th of July sales.) Hot Dogs, Hamburger, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Condiments, Asian Pears, Bartlett Pears, Green Beans, Blueberries, Sweet Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Garlic, Grapes, Nectarines, Onions, Red, Valencia Oranges, Peaches, Sweet/Bell Peppers, Plums, Potatoes, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Watermelon.

August;

(Back to school.  How's your garden doing by now?) Pudding cups, Lunch meat, Gravenstein Apples,  Green Beans, Dry Beans, Berries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Grapes, Melons, Onion, Peaches, Bartlett Pears, Bell Pepper, Plums, Raspberries, Summer Squash, Tomatillos, Tomatoes (Get better tomatoes at your Farmer's market!)  (You can also find Bleach on sale in August.)

September;

(Labor Day.)  Apples, Artichokes, Beans, Bell Peppers, Chili Peppers, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Onion, Valencia Orange, Asian Pears, Bartlett Pears, Pomegranate, Summer Squash, Tomatillo,  Watermelon, Winter Squash, Watch for Labor Day meat specials.

October;

Evaporated Milk, Baking Chips, Butter, Almonds, Apples, Artichokes, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Chard, Chestnuts, Cranberries, Lemons, Parsnip, Pears, Pomegranate, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash.

November;

(Turkey Day!) Nuts, Chocolate Chips, Evaporated Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Coconut, Cake Mixes, Soup, Broth, Vegetables, Fruits, Spaghetti Sauce, Turkey, Canned Pumpkin,   Boxed Potatoes, Gravy Mixes, Frozen Pies, Cranberry Sauce, Jello, Anjou Pears, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Celery, Comice Pears, Cranberries, Kiwi, Lemons, Orange, Potato, Squash, Yams, Ham.

December;

(Merry Christmas!) Egg Nog, Deli Platters, Instant Potatoes, Gravy Mixes, Frozen Pies, Cranberry Sauce, Jello, Marshmallows. Sour Cream Dips, Crackers, Chips, Soda, Ham, Flour, Sugar, Butter, Cream, Cake Mix, Brownie Mix, Muffin Mix, Breads, Pie Crust, Marshmallow, Whipped cream, Turkey, Soup, Broth, Condensed Milk, Anjou Pears, Bok Choy, Bosc Pears, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Dates, Grapefruit, Haas Avocados, Kale, Kiwi, Kumquat, Lemon, Napa Cabbage, Oranges, Sweet Potatoes, Red Cabbage, Rutabaga, Savoy Cabbage, Spinach, Winter Squash, Yams, Turnips, Potatoes.

Of course as Homesteaders, our emphasis SHOULD be on self sufficiency, and producing our own foods, but by understanding these grocery sales cycles, and using them to our advantage, we can save a lot of money.  Stocking up on these items when on sale, and finding ways to preserve them for year round use, can add to the foods that we grow on our own!