Tips for Cutting Food Costs in Columbus, Ohio

As the recession lingers in Ohio, Franklin County unemployment hovers near 8.7 percent and Columbus-area food banks and food pantries continue to see increases in the amount of families they are serving.

Stretching the food budget in Columbus can sometimes seem like an Olympic sport. Cutting coupons and watching sales is not always enough for the working poor or unemployed. Not everyone who is unemployed qualifies for WIC (Women, Infants and Children) or the EBT (food stamps) card. Some social service agencies limit assistance to once every 30 days, providing only enough emergency food for three days.

Columbus does offer a competitive grocery environment. The major chains - Kroger, Meijer, Walmart and Giant Eagle - regularly do battle for your grocery dollar. There are several "discount" grocery chains - Aldi, Marc's and Valu King - available throughout Central Ohio. However, when faced with the choice of rent or food, more and more Columbus-area residents are forced to choose to keep a roof over their head.

The Columbus area is home to 20 host sites for Angel Food Ministries. This faith-based food program is different from many food pantries in the fact that there are no income guidelines and the food is purchased at a huge discount. Anyone can order as many of the monthly packages as they like. With many specialty boxes available, the Signature Box will provide balanced nutrition for a family of four for about a week for around $30.

Angel Food Ministries accepts cash and food stamps when placing your order in person and many locations accept online payments via credit or debit card. All boxes from AFM must be ordered and prepaid and deadlines vary by area. Distribution is generally on a Saturday morning and purchasers are asked to bring a box or laundry basket to pick up their packages.

A similar program, Great Food For All, has four distribution centers in and near Columbus. The Family Variety Box sells for $36 offering around 20 pounds of food. Online ordering is available at some locations but Great Food For All does not accept food stamps.

Angel Food Ministries and Great Food For All both offer a plated package plan for seniors, including enough single serving dinners for a week. The AFM option is also diabetic-friendly and these plates make it possible for a senior citizen to eat dinner for a month for around $100.

There are options in and near Columbus to help people save money on food that are not income-based nor charity. Making use of these programs as part of a monthly food budget can help Columbus' working poor and unemployed stretch their food dollars.

Sources: May 2010 Labor Report ; Angel Food Ministries ; Great Food For All