A couple weeks ago, our Wine Director, Doug Due, and VP of Purchasing, Steve Wilson, traveled to Chile and Argentina to source some fantastic South American wine.  South America is a current "hot" region to buy wine from, given the increasing quality of the wine, plus the still inexpensive price of the wine.

Chile is now the fifth largest exporter of wines in the world, and the ninth largest producer. The climate has been described as midway between that of California and France. The most common grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère.  

Argentina is the fifth largest producer, and has a rich wine history, dating back to the 16th century, when the Spanish imported grape vines to the region.  Argentina is best known for its Malbec and Torrontés wines, though Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and other international varieties are becoming more widely planted.

 

Doug and Steve’s first stop was in Santiago, Chile.  They visited several wineries, cherry-picking great wines.  One of the more exciting finds was Carménère wine, made from a grape found almost exclusively in Chile, although its origins are the Bordeaux region in France.  For more on Carménère, click here.
 
On Wednesday, Steve and Doug flew to Mendoza, Argentina and met with 19 wineries on Thursday and Friday.  Doug is especially excited about the Malbec wines he found.  Malbec is celebrated as an Argentine varietal, though like the Carménère, it traces its origins back to Bordeaux.  Malbec is a very intense wine, so it is also commonly used in blends, such as with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to create the red French Bordeaux claret blend.  For more on Malbec, click here.

On Saturday, our intrepid adventurers were scheduled to fly back to Chile, but the Chile earthquake woke them up at 3:34 am!  Mendoza is 105 miles from Santiago, which is itself 100 miles from the quake’s epicenter.  The Andes dampened the effects of the quake—Mendoza shook, but did not receive anywhere near the devastation that Chile encountered.  Still, Steve said, it was quite scary to be woken up by the hotel rolling and shaking.   Instead of flying back home through Santiago, Doug and Steve transferred to flights out of Buenos Aires.  We’re happy to have them back safe and sound!

Doug says that we will be planning a South American wine promotion in a month or two.  Since the earthquake damaged a lot of the export infrastructure, we’re still waiting for the wine to show up.  Still, when that wine comes in, it’s going to be fantastic!

“Look for quality and pricing on par or better than what we had for Australia,” Doug says.  “We’re very excited to bring you top-quality wines at bottom-of-the-barrel prices.”

It’s been a month or so since the layoff, and while things have started to look up, this period has really made me consider what it means to be frugal.  Necessity really forces you to consider all your choices, from “do I want this?” to “do I need it to survive?”  And let me tell you, asking myself that every day with every single item I thought about buying was pretty depressing.  

It also makes me feel tired, because every time I go to the store I have to do mental gymnastics just to get through my shopping trip.  “If I don’t get the good cheese, can I get lunchmeat for my sandwich?  Well, what about yogurt instead of crackers?  It’s healthier, but more expensive.  And I really like that one brand, but it’s $0.25 more, so… I’m putting it back.”  Every decision is a process.

I’ve been thinking about people that have to do this regularly, and I have a newfound respect for them.  I didn’t really understand how agonizing it is to have your financial future be uncertain until now.  Even though my personal situation seems to be improving, we still took a big loss of income and it makes you feel pretty insecure when you don’t know where your next paycheck is coming from.  Everything has to be put on hold until that’s resolved, and even so, you have to survive.

So that’s why I keep posting frugal ideas I find and keeping you in the loop about our great deals: because something that extends that dollar further means more comfort, more safety, and more enjoyment.  It means the difference between just living and having a life worth living.  

All of the recent news about earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, and Turkey has caused us to ponder our own disaster preparedness.  Most all Grocery Outlets are in the western states, especially California, which is prone to earthquakes.  Thing is, stowing away all the supplies you need for a disaster can get pretty pricey.  It’s a whole week’s (maybe more) food that you didn’t budget for.  Our question is: how do you prepare for disaster on a budget?  

Jennifer Savage, from the North Coast Journal, has some great ideas in her article on disaster preparedness:
"Go to humboldt.edu/shakyground and click on "Supplies for Seven Days." This gives you standard non-perishable food ideas. Print it out. Fold it up and tuck the list in your purse or wallet. Each time you hit the grocery store—Grocery Outlet is especially great for this kind of stuff—pick up one of the items listed, two if they're on sale. Check it off your list. Keep that stuff in a box or tub labeled 'Emergency Supplies.'"

You’ll need two first aid kits: one for your home and one for your car.  You should stock them with any regular medications/toiletries you use.  Also, you should stockpile some cash, as ATMs might be down and banks might be closed.  Save $5 or $10 from every paycheck.

Remember your pets.  Start stocking up on food and supplies for them.  Pet travel items are good here, like a small litter box for cats, litter, toys, and any medicines or health care supplies.

Getting a hand-crankable or battery-operated radio is essential.  You can keep up with the latest news and get crucial updates.  Batteries are important.  Figure out what appliances you’ll want to operate (lights, radio, etc.), and buy batteries for them accordingly.  Grocery Outlet often has batteries in stock at a fraction of the price you’ll find them for at conventional stores.

Most importantly, make a plan for your family and loved ones.  When disaster strikes, you’ll be prepared.  Keep your loved ones safe and the rest will fall into place.

It’s not a stretch to say that Grocery Outlet has the best deals on wine in town.  Our process for sourcing fantastic wines at incredible deals is a little out of the ordinary, so we’d like to shed a little light on it for you.

The 3-Tier System

99% of total wine sold in the U.S. is moved through a 3-tier system, and wineries are the first tier.  While wineries put their heart and soul into the wines they make, they do not have the ability to sell all of their wine direct to the consumers, so they work with importers and distributors to market, sell, warehouse and deliver their product to the local wine shops, restaurants and liquor stores that sell most of the wine in America.

The second tier in the 3-tier system is made up of the importers and in-state distributors.  Importers and distributors choose the wineries they represent, and develop a ‘Book of Brands’.  Most large importers and distributors will offer all varietals from the most famous wine growing regions of the world.  Smaller distributors are usually more specialized in what they offer, sometimes only selling wines from a specific country or region.  

All importers and distributors bring wine into their warehouse and have salespeople that visit the wine buyers at the local wine shops, restaurants and liquor stores.  These salespeople take samples to the wine buyers, who taste the current vintages available for sale.  Wine buyers try to pick and choose wines that fit their customers’ taste or flavor profile.  The only wines offered are those represented by the importers and distributors.  As a result, buyers only have access to wines represented by importers and distributors within this system.

The third tier in the 3-tier system is the retailer or restaurant that sells the wine to the consumer.  There are many different reasons why wine buyers chose one wine over another, but most are knowledgeable about wine, their customer base, and what they can sell.  This is why you see a large difference between a grocery store selection and a fine wine shop, from a Steak House wine list to an Italian restaurant.  

How does Grocery Outlet come in?

The 3-tier system is very inefficient: there’s a lag from when the winery releases the wine to when the importer and distributor have the wine available to show and sell, so sometimes they miss the window of opportunity.  Also, importers and distributors sometimes buy wines and find they cannot sell the wine at a certain price or in a specific market.  All of these inefficiencies create opportunities for non-traditional retailers like Grocery Outlet.

The industry average is 90-95% efficiency.  In most years, importers, distributors and wineries will sell most of their wines, but almost always there’s some wine remaining.  If a winery produces 10,000 cases and is 95% effective as selling their wines, they have 500 cases at the end of the year; if a winery produces 5,000,000 they have 50,000 cases.

These overstocks are most of what Grocery Outlet buys.  The wine can be from the winery, importer or distributor.  Past vintages are opportunistic buys, because once a vintage has been replaced by a newer vintage, the salespeople stop showing the older vintage.  Older vintages become a storage expense, not a sales opportunity.  Wineries, importers and distributors have money tied up in this stock.   To quickly move through non-performing inventory, wineries, importers, and distributors will sell the wine at cost or even a loss.

This is why Grocery Outlet can offer wines that were sold 6 months ago at 20-35% of regular retail.  This is the first of several postings that will help you understand who we are and how we find you such great deals.

Cheers,
Doug

Wine Buyer for Grocery Outlet

Thanks to everyone who commented on the last post.  I'm glad to know there are a lot of other frugal shoppers out there. I'm going to try to keep a steady schedule of useful content coming to you, as well as have some weekly features, one of which will be this Frugal Friday column, sharing what's going on at Grocery Outlet and what I'm excited about.

This week I want to talk about Super Bowl.  Entertaining can be tough when you're on a budget.  I know it is for me, because I want to make sure I have enough food and drinks on hand to take care of all my guests.  The Super Bowl is a long event too, so that doubles the cost. 

I know I work for Grocery Outlet, but seriously, it's so great to be able to shop for big events at the store.  We had Premium Brand (so good, I can't tell you which!) chicken strips this week, $4.79 for 2 lbs.  I liked the Honey BBQ flavor.  We also have 2.5 lbs of Party Wings for only $4.99 (I saved $3 on them). We’ve also got Chicken of the Sea cooked tail-on shrimp, 2 lbs. for $7.99—super easy, since it’s already cooked.  

Chips and salsa are always a big hit at my house, so I got some Santitas tortilla chips (20 oz. for $2.49) and Pace Picante Sauce (24 oz. jar for $2.49), mild for me, medium for my husband and his friends.  Kettle Organic Chipotle chips were on sale this week, and I thought they'd be worth a try for the boys at only $0.99 for 5 oz. 

Most importantly, we're set on beer.  I asked one of our wine and beer buyers which beer they'd recommend and they sent me over to get the Widmer Brothers’ Best Craft Brew Beer, 12-pack for $10.99 (you save $4!).  This popular beer is a best-seller and a fantastic value.  We also have Mendocino White Ale, 6-pack for $4.99 (you save $3) and Pabst Blue Ribbon, a 16 oz. can 6-pack for $3.99.  In the malt beverage category, (where I live!) there’s Mike’s Hard Lemonade Variety Pack, $10.99 for a 12-pack (you save $4!). I know, I'm a "girly drinker" but that's fine—I'm loving my Mike's Cranberry Hard Lemonade.

The best news is that I can now throw a fantastic Super Bowl party at a fraction of what I would have spent conventionally.  When it's just the two of us, I can fudge it a little for a splurge I particularly want, but having this many people meant no room for error.  It's times like this that I really see the savings. 

And as for who I'm cheering for?  Team Frugal, all the way!

Hi!  Welcome.  I'm doing something a little different today.  First of all, introductions: I'm Kelly, and I blog for Grocery Outlet. 

In my posts over these last 6 months or so, I've been striving to give all of you useful ideas on how to live both frugal and creative lives, because I strongly believe that not having a lot of money doesn't have to make you give up everything you want.  Personally, this belief has really hit home for me lately, because my husband got laid off two weeks ago. 

It's interesting: I've always been a discerning shopper.  I like bargains and I rarely pay retail, which makes me a good fit to be Grocery Outlet's in-house Bargainista.  However, my purchasing philosophy was made out of a personal sense of values, and these days, my purchasing decisions are crafted by necessity.

This layoff has been tough.  I have to think about everything: what I buy, how I buy it, which item I prioritize over another.  What can we afford?  Are we sure?  I have a further layer to my already deep respect for anyone who is in this position.  It's really hard.

However, I do think I have received an enormous benefit out of this: I take a lot less for granted.  I really appreciate what I do have (a wonderful husband, a fantastic job, and a charming cat) and I'm making better choices about the things I need. 

I might not have had to do that if this economy hadn't tanked.  I probably would have continued to be frugal and creative, but I never would have realized how handy those qualities could be.  I never would have realized how privileged I am.  I wouldn't have discovered that I can do this—that with a solid budget and sound buying decisions and some creativity, we can make it through and survive.  That's pretty amazing.

So along with my "live your most frugal and fabulous life" posts, I'm going to include some stories of my own economic journey.  I'm right there in the trenches with you.  Let's do this.

Getting in shape shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg.  Here are some equipment and exercise tips and tricks to help you put your best frugal foot forward.

Yoga Mat
Yoga Mats are thin, roll up easy for storage, and let you perform many exercises, including yoga, stretching, and Pilates.  You have a buffer between a cold floor or scratchy surface.  We’re getting in yoga mats for $9.99, so you’ll save while getting more flexible and strong.

Fitness Ball
Improve your posture and work towards a healthy back with a fitness ball.  Fitness balls can be used for stretching, abdominal exercises, and some strength training.  Even just sitting on one instead of a chair maintains your core muscles (the ones in your stomach and lower back).  This website has a bunch of good exercises you can do on a fitness ball that aren’t difficult and make for some frugal fitness fun.  Pick up a fitness ball for $9.99 at Grocery Outlet.

Athletic Shoes
Good quality athletic shoes will not be the most inexpensive item on your list; however, picking up good shoes will save your feet, legs, and back from injury and help you stay balanced and fit.  Our tip: try on shoes in the store and get the advice of a professional.  Then, note the manufacturer, the style, and size, and see if you can’t find a good deal on them online.

Also, there are many activities that you can do with good shoes: running, power walking, hiking, aerobics, and kickboxing can all be done inexpensively or for free with good shoes.  Check out a local park for running and hiking trails and see if you can rent exercise DVDs from your local library.

 

 

Supplement Your Workout
Grocery Outlet also has these fantastically frugal items in stock right now to supplement your exercise routine:
- As Seen on TV Push Up Pro ($9.99, you save $10!)
- As Seen on TV Perfect Pullup ($19.99, you save $20!)
- Stainless Steel Water Bottle, $2.99, you save $5.  
- Jerzees Athletic Socks, 3-pack for only $1.99!

Happy holidays!  It's the season for giving and at Grocery Outlet, we know how tough it can be to participate in all of the holiday's many events and gift-giving opportunities when you're on a tight budget.

The good news is that we've created a delicious holiday meal that totals a little over $3 per person, and includes glazed ham, potatoes au gratin (yummy, and with a lot of cheese!), salad, rolls—even dessert!

 

 

 

Sitting down together for a good meal without spending a lot?  That sounds like a great gift to give yourself and your loved ones.  Remember to enjoy the togetherness, traditions, and kinship that make this holiday season so special.  And from Grocery Outlet, our best wishes for a happy, peaceful holiday, and an incredible, renewing New Year.  

 

Download our $3-A-Person Holiday Dinner menu by clicking here.

 

As the holiday season begins, it can be pretty stressful trying to get presents for everyone you care about.  The good news is that with a little creativity, you can provide gifts for family and friends without blowing your budget.  Here are our best gift ideas:

- Gourmet coffee, paired with biscotti and a mug
- Scent diffusers, perfect for making your home smell festive
- Hats and gloves for cold weather days
- Slippers, to keep feet warm on cold floors
- Throws—snuggle up!
- Pasta and a jar of spaghetti sauce inside a big bowl
- Family snapshots in inexpensive picture frames
- Candles are always appreciated, especially at holiday parties
- Fancy chocolates or stack of gourmet chocolate bars, tied up in a holiday bow
- Cheese, paired with a great bottle of wine
- Bottle of sparkling cider
- Previously viewed DVD with popcorn
- Bubble bath, shower gel, and lotion
- Muffin mix with muffin pan
- Prepaid long-distance phone cards
- Puzzles or board games
- Jar with homemade cookie mix and recipe

Grocery Outlet stocks nearly all these items and many more that you can turn into fantastic, frugal gifts.  And if you get really stuck, there’s always a Grocery Outlet gift card.

We know you’ll find a way to bring in the yuletide cheer on even the tightest budget.  And let us know if we can help you in any way.

Happy Holidays!

 

Thanksgiving is the foundation of autumn's traditions and a very important celebration.  With rising prices however, it can be difficult to provide a traditional Thanksgiving dinner without breaking the bank.  At Grocery Outlet, we've put together a menu for Thanksgiving dinner, complete with side dishes and dessert, that works out to $3 per plate.  Now you can be the hero of your Thanksgiving table.

To download our $3-A-Person Thanksgiving menu, please click here.

Who doesn’t love a good appetizer?  When you’re hungry and waiting for dinner, a delicious starter can really hit the spot.  At Grocery Outlet, you can satisfy your guests and not empty your wallet.  Here is a brief selection of our favorite cheap and easy appetizer recipes to surprise and delight friends and family.

 

Pistachio Goat Cheese Balls
1/2 cup shelled salted pistachios 
6 ounces goat cheese, softened
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

Toast nuts in small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes; chop finely.  Combine goat cheese and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Drop mixture by heaping teaspoons onto a parchment-lined baking sheet; refrigerate 15 minutes.  Roll into balls, and then roll in chopped nuts.  Refrigerate, tightly covered, up to 1 day.  Serves 10, makes 30 balls.


BLT Bites
48 whole cherry tomatoes
1 lb bacon (cooked and crumbled)
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3 green onions (chopped)
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (snipped)

Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato.  Scoop out and discard the pulp (I use the handle end of a small teaspoon, or use a melon-baller).  Invert tomatoes on paper towels to drain.  In a small bowl, combine all remaining ingredients and mix well.  Spoon into tomatoes.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Serves 12, makes 48.


Tomato and Basil Bruschetta
6 roma tomatoes, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 1/4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
8 slices Italian bread, cut about 1 inch thick
2 tablespoons grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Whisk together chopped garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper, and basil.  When combined, slowly drizzle in oil.  Add tomatoes and let sit for 20 minutes at room temp.  Toast the bread.  This can be done either in the toaster (if it's got really wide slots) or under the broiler (if using this method watch closely so it doesn't become a brick).  When the bread is toasted rub each piece, on one side, with the whole garlic pieces.  Place the bread on a cookie sheet and top with tomato mixture.  Sprinkle on a little cheese and broil until the cheese melts.  Serve immediately.  Serves 4.


Nearly all the ingredients in these recipes can be bought at Grocery Outlet at a significant value.  Other ideas for appetizers would be chopped vegetables with guacamole and hummus, chunks of fruit with sweet yogurt dip, nuts, crackers and cheese.  We’ve got a significant selection of all of those items, so shop your local Grocery Outlet to save while you stock up for holiday parties!

Staying healthy during Halloween
If you’re trying to stay away from the candy and junk food during Halloween, we have some great tips on how to have a healthy Halloween.  Wondering what to do with all those pumpkin seeds you dug out of your pumpkins? Turn them into a delicious, easy, and healthy snack!  All you’ll need is:

Pumpkin Seeds
Olive Oil or Butter
Seasoning of your choice

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Rinse off the pumpkin seeds, then toss seeds with olive oil or melted butter, enough to coat. Sprinkle them with a seasoning of your choice (some ideas: salt, pepper, garlic salt, cayenne pepper, or Cajun seasoning). Spread seeds onto a baking sheet and place in the oven for 30-40 minutes, tossing occasionally, or until golden brown.  Enjoy!

Healthy Tip: pumpkin seeds are a great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids.  They also help promote prostate health (for the men in your life!).





Throwing a party at your haunted mansion?
Every Halloween party needs jack-o-lanterns, so why not come to Grocery Outlet to get them for bargain prices!  Follow this tip when picking out pumpkins to carve: look for the lighter colored pumpkins—the lighter the skin, the softer and riper the pumpkin is, making it easier to get your knife through.

Save money by making your own fake blood from grocery store ingredients:
Corn Syrup
Water
Flour or Corn Starch
Red Food Coloring
Blue Food Coloring (optional)

Mix 3 parts corn syrup with 1 part water, to make as much blood as you want. Drip red food coloring in to reach desired color, if you want a deeper more realistic shade add a few drops of blue food coloring. Whisk in flour or corn starch to create the thickness you want. Let sit for about 5 minutes, and then have fun applying!  

You can really creep out your guests with this recipe.  It’s called blood and guts, and it’s a great dinner meal!

Blood and Guts
more commonly known as spaghetti and meatballs:

1lb Ground Beef
¼ cup diced yellow onion
1 clove crushed garlic
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk
½ cup breadcrumbs
Salt and Pepper
Olive Oil
1 Jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1package Spaghetti noodles

Start by combining your meat, egg, onion, garlic, milk and salt and pepper. Use your hands to combine. Then slowly add the bread crumbs little by little, combining as you go. After all the bread crumbs are added and you have reached the correct consistency start forming meat into small (about 1 inch) balls. Coat the bottom of a frying pan with olive oil and turn to medium heat. Once the oil is hot, place the meatballs in the pan, brown on each side for 2-3 minutes. Empty the jar of sauce into a pot and turn to medium heat. Once the meatballs are finished, remove them from the pan and put them in the pot of sauce; let simmer for at least 30 minutes. When ready to eat, prepare a package of spaghetti noodles by following the directions on the package. In a large serving dish combine the sauce and meatballs with the cooked spaghetti and mix together. Mix some grated parmesan with a few drops of green food coloring and then sprinkle over the blood and guts!  Ew!

Crazy Costumes
Feeling crafty? Try making a cheap and easy present costume. All you need is a box, wrapping paper, some string, and ribbon. Just cut the top and bottom out of the box, and wrap it in gift wrap. Attach the string on each side of the box, like suspenders. Once you are finished with that, put the box on and add ribbon to your hair, and voila, you’re a present!

Great news for wine collectors and enthusiasts: we have the collectible Marilyn Merlot 2005 at a Grocery Outlet near you!

Classic Queen of the Silver Screen, Ms. Monroe’s namesake bottle aims to please. Lush and fruitforward, this Merlot has 12% Cabernet Sauvignon to add some punch. You’ll love the blackberry, cherry, dark chocolate and smoke flavors to accompany a wide range of cheese or meat dishes or to liven up a home screening of “Some Like it Hot”.

The best news of all? This wine normally retails at $27.99 elsewhere. We have it for $14.99, almost 50% off the retail price!

Collectors: don’t miss out on this golden opportunity to take home Napa’s Marilyn Merlot at a great price. Enjoy a classic!

The change of seasons is a great time for reevaluation and a fresh perspective.  Here are some frugal fall ideas to help you prepare for the cooler weather, increased family time, and traditional autumn holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving.

- Transition out your light summer clothes and put in your warm and cozy clothes. While you're at it, see if there's anything you no longer like that you can donate, then treat yourself to an inexpensive outfit.
- Rearrange your furniture.  Pull sofas and chairs together on rugs for better conversation and a cozier atmosphere, then vacuum up those dust bunnies while you’re at it.
- Bring the outdoors in.  As leaves, acorns, and seed pods fall from the trees, bring in the best specimens and arrange them on your dining table, mantel, on top of doorways and picture frames.  It’s seasonal décor for free.
- Rotate and inflate your tires. Winter rain and snow can make the roads hazardous; having properly outfitted tires can help keep you safe.  As a bonus, properly inflated tires save on gas.
- Get your HVAC inspected. Make sure all your air filters are clean, your heater is working at its most efficient, and there are no dangerous fire hazards.  This saves you money and time.  Put on your favorite sweater and socks and see how long you can resist turning it on.
- Frugal Halloween: organize a neighborhood costume swap.  Everyone brings their kids' too-small costumes and exchanges them for "new" ones.  If you hustle, you’ll also find that we’ve got some inexpensive and spooky Halloween costumes and decorations at Grocery Outlet.
- Make your neighbors "Boo Baskets": fill up a basket with Halloween candy (we've got a bunch!), small pumpkins, popcorn, apples and so on, and leave it on their doorstep.

Have a spookily spectacular season!

As the weather chills and the leaves start to fall, come back inside for family dinners.  A warm, satisfying meal together is the perfect way to celebrate the change of seasons and transition to cooler temperatures.  We’ve put together some delicious recipes and ideas for this time of year that will fill up your soul without emptying your wallet.

Ham with Cheesy Shells
You can make this in your slow-cooker or Crock-Pot!

Ingredients:
12 oz. diced ham
1 can cream of mushroom soup
8 oz. grated cheddar cheese
Black pepper to taste
1 cup frozen vegetables, cut broccoli or mixed vegetables
3 cups cooked small pasta shells or macaroni
1/4 cup of low-fat evaporated milk

In a 3 ½ - 5 quart Crock-Pot or slow cooker, combine ham, soup, cheese, and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. Add frozen vegetables 30 minutes before serving. Add milk to thin; add hot cooked pasta then serve.  

Serves 4.


Other frugal fall meal ideas:
- Host a taco bar!  Set out plates of tortillas, cooked chicken or ground beef, grated cheese, sour cream, salsa, lettuce and tomato, and let everyone make their own tacos.
- Baked potato bar—same idea, different spin.  Bake up a  potato for each family member and load it up with cheese, sour cream, chopped chives, cooked veggies, chili—whatever they like.  Hearty and filling, and the vegetables give it extra nutritional value too.
- Get your kids in on the action.  Help them brainstorm a 5 ingredient-or-less meal, shop for it with you, and then make it together.  Kids like being included and if you keep the ingredients and prep low, it should be pretty easy going.  Ideas we have: spaghetti with meat sauce, mac ‘n cheese with a side of steamed veggies, English muffin pizzas.  Have fun!

Convincing your children to eat healthy snacks can be pretty challenging.  Junk food causes sugar highs and lows, and doesn’t give them enough fuel for homework and play before dinner.  Having healthy snacks at the ready helps your kids stay on track with nutritious eating.

At Grocery Outlet, we’ve got a bunch of delicious snacks that are fun, flavorful, and healthy.  First off is our favorite trail mix recipe.  Let kids help in the preparation—everything is more fun when you’ve helped make it!

Trail Mix
Ingredients
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried apple pieces
1 cup peanuts
1 cup cashews
1 cup almonds
1 cup marshmallows (any kind)
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  To store, put in sandwich bags or airtight containers.  Makes 16 servings.

We know you’re crunched for time, so we’ve also got trail mix, nuts, string cheese, granola bars, pudding cups, 100% juice, carrot sticks and other fresh veggies and fruit to cut up for easy, wholesome snacks.

Tip: Organize all snack components on one special shelf in the fridge and/or cabinet, and label it as the “snack shelf”.  Let your kids know that’s their go-to spot.  This helps set new healthy habits.

Going back to school means the start of a new year and a chance to craft some creative lunches for your kids. After the novelty of school wears off, try some of these ideas to mix things up. At Grocery Outlet, we have all the items you need to make these fantastically frugal meals your kids are sure to enjoy.

Cookie Cutter Sandwiches
Sandwiches cut with a large cookie cutter are always fun.  Try fall shapes like pumpkins, stars, and moons.  This technique also solves that pesky crust problem.

Pin Wheel Sandwiches
Spread your child's favorite sandwich filling onto a tortilla.  Roll it up and slice it into smaller pieces. Our favorite fillings are peanut butter and jelly, lunch meat with cream cheese or another kind of spreadable cheese.  If they don’t stay closed once they are rolled, secure with a toothpick.

Cheesy Stars
Use a small star cookie cutter to cut cheddar cheese pieces. In a separate bag provide crackers or apple slices. You can also use the cookie cutter to cut lunch meat.  These are really fun to stack.  Make a constellation!

Dipping
Kids adore dipping so try fresh-cut veggies with either ranch dressing, cottage cheese, peanut butter, or hummus.

Try sending cookies along with a favorite yogurt for kids to dip.  This way they are getting less sugar than they would with a pre-packaged frosting treat.

Fun Chips
Use large cookie cutters to cut a flour tortilla or wrap. Arrange on cookie sheet and toast in a 400 degree oven for 6-8 mins.  Send to school plain or with bean dip for dipping.  Also, try brushing a very small amount of olive oil or cooking spray, then sprinkle parmesan cheese or a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. If you try the cinnamon sugar, send the chips along with a container of applesauce for dipping.

Packaging
Exciting packaging really appeals to kids, but unfortunately, what's inside is not always nutritious. Solve this dilemma by making your own fun packaging: stock up on cheerfully colored re-usable containers, fun party napkins and stickers for plastic bags.  Wrap ribbon around napkins for napkin holders.  Put googly eyes on the outside of containers (juice boxes work great for this). Write them notes—you can write messages directly on banana peels! Put in your favorite jokes, fun facts, or inside jokes.

At Grocery Outlet we understand how challenging it can be to feed your family with wholesome, affordable food, while still keeping mealtime interesting and fun.  We have created two brochures detailing how to feed a family on $3-a-day per person.

The First $3 A Day Brochure has a week’s worth of healthy, delicious meals and snacks. The easy-to-follow recipes and daily meal plans provide variety, nutrition, and above all, a great value!

Our second brochure, 3-A-Day for Everyone builds on the first brochure with recipes organized by meal, so you can mix and match.  We hope this provides flexibility and more ideas to help you prepare healthy, enjoyable meals for your family.

We also encourage your creativity, so if you have any great ideas to share or ways to improve upon these recipes, please contact us!

Grocery Outlet's customers and employees have always known that it’s hip to be frugal.  You hear a lot in the news these days about the downswing in the economy and how many people are turning to frugal measures to cope with layoffs, reduced hours, and smaller paychecks.  At Grocery Outlet, we believe you shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality, abundance, freshness, or fun to be frugal.  In fact, being frugal IS fun.

Frugality to us means never paying full retail.  It means finding ways to make your dollar stretch beyond what you thought possible.  It doesn’t mean being cheap; it means making responsible choices based on what you actually need, without sacrificing what you truly want.  When you are frugal, you don’t have to worry as much about your future.  You have control over your spending and you use your income judiciously to make the best choices for yourself and your family.  Best of all, frugality challenges you to be creative, to find ways to make a limited supply last and to discover the bargains your family lives on.

 

 

We can help! Grocery Outlet has been providing our customers with incredible bargains since 1946.  That gives us over 60 years of experience feeding families.  After all that time, you’d think we’d know a thing or two about how to supply fantastic food at amazing prices.  Not only that, but we’ve picked up some trade secrets along the way, and that is what this blog is all about.

We want to share our secrets, tips, and ideas with you, to show you how to become a Bargainista and get the most out of Grocery Outlet.  We also want to hear from you.  We know there’s always more to learn and some of our best ideas come directly from our shoppers.  By tapping into all that knowledge we all grow our frugality resources, which will benefit all of us as a productive, interdependent community—a family of bargain hunters!  And that sounds like a winning idea to us.