When to Stock up on Food Storage Staples - Grocery Sale Cycles

The best way to build a storage of any kind is to buy in bulk when items go on sale.  This is particularly true for everyday groceries, but applies to food storage as well.

On average, grocery stores cycle through items by having a sale on them about every 12 weeks, but there are monthly sales that take place as well.

This post is specifically written for Utah and surrounding areas, as it details fruit production and harvest times, but the overall concept in terms of groceries should remain relatively the same wherever you live.

Click here for the printable version.

January:

Grocery Sales

Diet foods and weight loss products

January is National Oatmeal Month

National Soup Month

National Meat Month

National Egg Month

Super Bowl: chips, candy, snacks, soda, etc.

Clearance on Christmas items, candy, decor, etc.

February:

Grocery Sales

National Hot Breakfast Month (Cereals, syrups, etc.)

National Canned Food Month

Valentines Day

Chocolates and Candy

Meat: steaks, ribs, etc.

March:

Grocery Sales

National Craft Month

National Frozen Food Month: all things frozen

St. Patricks Day: corned beef, seasonal items

Spring Cleaning: household cleaners, etc.

March Madness Food Storage Sales

Thrive Life has their annual sale during this month - offering some of their best prices of the year!

April:

Grocery Sales

Easter candy, decorations, etc.

Ham

Eggs

Easter Baking Items (if not in March): coconut, chocolate, spices, mixes

May: 

National BBQ Month

Grocery Sales

Cinco de Mayo: Mexican food sales

Memorial Day Sales

Grilling meats, hot dogs, steaks, etc.

Paper products: plates, cups, napkins

Condiments: BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, relish

Salad dressings and marinades

Pickles

BBQ supplies

Charcoal

June:

Grocery Sales

National Dairy Month: all things dairy

Local Produce / Other

Cherries

July:

Grocery Sales

4th of July Picnic items: hot dogs, baked beans, paper products

National ice cream month

Local Produce / Other

Apricots

Plums

August:

Grocery Sales

School Supplies and Clothes

Local Produce / Other

Peaches

Tomatoes

September:

National Preparedness Month

Case Lot Sales

September is always a big case lot sale month for most large grocery stores: Macey's, Ridley's, Kohlers, Smiths, etc.  I always find that Macey's has the best prices paired with variety.  This month is usually the best to stock up on the following:

Water Containers: 55 gallon barrels, 5 gallon drums, water bottles, etc.

Storage containers: poly buckets, lids and gamma lids

Canned Beans: black, pinto, kidney, refried, great northern, etc.

Canned Soups: cream of _____ soups, tomato, Campbells, etc.

Canned Vegetables: green beans, corn, tomato products, etc.

Canned Fruits: mandarin oranges, pineapple, peaches, pears, etc.

Bulk dry items: dried beans, rice, wheat, oats, sugar, etc.

Baking Staples: salt, oil, spices, etc.

Local Produce / Other

Peaches

Apples

Pears

Plums

Tomatoes

Seedless Grapes

Honey is harvested

Beef - cattle is slaughtered after summer

Specialty Food Storage Sales

Food storage companies take advantage of National Preparedness Month by hosting major sales scattered throughout September.  Most commonly, the best sales are going to take place over Labor Day Weekend.  This is a great time to shop sales for specialty items like freeze dried, dehydrated, prepackaged meals, etc.

October:

Grocery Sales

Candy

National Pork Month

National Seafood Month

Seasonal baking items and supplies: chocolate chips, sugar, nuts, etc. 

Local Produce / Other

Concord Grapes

Potatoes

Onions

Pumpkins

Winter Squash

November:

All things Thanksgiving:

Turkey, ham, pumpkin, pie shells and fillings, stuffing and potato mixes, side dishes (green bean casserole and candied yams), broths, etc.

Baking season is in full swing: look for deals on chocolate chips, nuts, etc.

Other Grocery Sales

Butter

Clearance on Halloween candy and decor

Peanut Butter

Local Produce / Other

Turkey

Cranberries

Pumpkins

Winter Squash

Black Friday Sales

Black Friday isn't just for Christmas Shopping.  There are major food storage sales going on from various companies, including Thrive Life, who offers their bi-annual biggest sale of the year during this time.  A great time to stock up on freeze dried / dehydrated / specialty items.  And who says food storage doesn't make a great Christmas gift?

December:

All Things Christmas

Turkey, ham, pumpkin, pie shells and fillings, stuffing and potato mixes, side dishes, broths, butter, etc.

Baking season is in full swing: look for deals on chocolate chips, nuts, etc.

Grocery Sales

Seasonal baking items and supplies

Thanksgiving clearance items

Bulk Items from Costco:
If you are just starting out, or aren't available to stock up on big bulk items during the case lot sales, Costco is a great alternative for several food storage items at great prices all year long:
rice
wheat (sold in buckets)
quick oats (sold in buckets)
dry pinto beans
sugars
quinoa
salt
flour
oil
vinegar
baking soda
baking powder

All of these items can be found in bulk for very good prices.  If you are concerned about extending the shelf life of bagged items, you can store them in buckets, or purchase from other locations.  If long term storage is more your thing, check out the following:
Food Storage - Which Company is Right for You?

Click here for the printable version.