Getting Ahead of Holiday Meal Cost

Part 2: Freezer & Shelf Stable Items

Now that the spices are taken care of, we can discuss freezable or shelf-stable items. Pull out your previous menu list. If the meals are still as planned as listed, this next step will be similar to the first. If not, start your meal list over. Click here (previous blog link will be inserted) for a summary of the first step.

With a different color highlighter or pen, go through your meal ingredient list and mark all the freezable and shelf-stable items.

Common Freezer Items:

• Butter
• Cranberries*a highly popular item
• Frozen Breads (rolls, garlic toast)
• Frozen Fruits
• Frozen Juices for homemade punch
• Frozen Vegetables
• Meats (including breakfast meats-bacon & sausage for overnight guests)
• Noodles/Pasta
• Pie Crusts

Don’t forget to label any freezer items you may purchase. If you aren’t able to use them at the anticipated date, you’ll be aware how long the item has been stored when used for future use. Check freezer space before grocery shopping. Spending money on items you may not have storage for is counterproductive to preparing in advance.

Common Shelf Stable Items

• Beverages (Juices, Soda, Water)
• Canned Vegetables
• Chicken/Vegetable Broth
• Chocolate Chips
• Dry Beans
• Flour
• Nuts
• Oils
• Raisins
• Rice
• Sauces/Condiments (BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, etc.)
• Sprinkles
• Tomato Paste & Sauce

Be sure to check all store sale advertisement before shopping. Take advantage of BOGO (buy one, get one) sales and be sure to sign up for the local store rewards (ex. MVP card at Food Lion). Also, be sure to inquire about what day manager special items are put out. As always, don’t forget to use your SNAP dollars. Planning ahead will help ensure they are not all used at once.