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Tuesday, September 20, 2016

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.


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.

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