According to the latest Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Market Basket Survey, for the first time in 15 months, Arizona retail food prices at the supermarket increased in the first quarter of 2010. The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 basic grocery items was $45.96, up 7 cents from the fourth quarter of 2009. Comparatively, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national survey was $45.54, up $2.64 or 6% higher compared to the fourth quarter of 2009.

Compared to one year ago the Arizona 2010 first-quarter Market Basket items decreased $8.47, a drop of nearly
16 percent.

Math aside, I don’t feel like I’m saving money at the grocery store. What do you think?

Here are some tips provided by the Arizona Farm Bureau to stretch your food dollars.

•    When shopping stay on track, refer to your list often
•    Check the newspaper for sale items then make a plan where to shop.
•    Use grocery store club cards and then compare prices to store brands
•    Go through your pantry and keep it organized so you know what you have.
•    Consider buying frozen vegetables, they are picked fresh, flash frozen immediately and are less expensive and will keep longer.
•    If you are not able to purchase frozen,  buy fresh instead of processed items.
•    When planning your menu think about what you already have then use coupons to springboard your meal planning.  If lettuce, tomatoes and bacon are on special, why not BLTs for dinner?
•    Buy in bulk, but don’t buy more than you can eat.
•    Clip and use coupons.  Put a ‘C’ next to items on your list that you have a coupon for, it will help you remember to use it at the checkout stand.
•    Shop the edges of the store avoiding the items at the ends of the aisles.
•    Keep tabs on spending by keeping a running tally of what’s in your shopping cart.
•    When shopping meat sales items, consider stocking your freezer.

What are your money saving tips in the grocery store?