Case lot sales occur often at local grocery stores. This is a great opportunity to stock up on food for your long term and 90-day supplies. As you access these sales, please be aware of the following:
- Eggs: Remember that eggs can be stored for several months, especially if refrigerated. Eggs can also be frozen in ice cube trays, stored in plastic bags in the freezer and used the same as fresh eggs. Here is a link to that information: http://frugalliving.about.com/
od/freezingfoods/qt/Freeze_ Eggs.htm
- Kroger brand is Smith's store brand. Here is where I have to use my disclaimer...I would never suggest anyone purchase Kroger brand tomato products and plan to store them for any extended period of time. I have even had (and know of others with the same experience) their tomato products leak, explode or bulge before the expiration date. I may be out of line to say this, but Payson Market has the same items for the same prices in the Western Family brand and would suggest purchasing that brand instead. I have not had any trouble with Kroger broth, however.
- Cheese: Remember, cheese can be frozen but will not melt properly if frozen in the block or in bags that have not been vacuum sealed. These bags, unopened, can be stored for quite a long time in the fridge without going bad. Once opened, however, it's storage life is compromised.
- Pasta is often included in case lot sales, but can also be put on sale by itself. Bulk spaghetti at the dry pack cannery in Springville comes out to $.95/pound and bulk macaroni is $1.01/pound. Remember if you choose to stock up on pasta at either location and plan to store it for an extended period of time, it would best be stored in a bucket or cans. Packages from the store can end up infested or stale if not used within a couple of years. Storing in sealed containers with oxygen packets will allow for pasta's projected 30 year shelf life.
- If purchasing at the grocery store, pay attention to the weight of the packages you are purchasing. Often, the sale will be on bags that are 12-16 ounces, but unless you purchase the 16 ounce you aren't getting a full pound of pasta.
- Watch for extra deals as some stores will add coupons that can reduce the price if you buy a case of products. As the stores often run case lot sales at the same time, it's important to price compare and look at the ads.
Awesome blog! You can also preserve eggs by dipping them in mineral oil and storing them in an egg carton in the basement. My sister in law has used her eggs stored this way one year after her chickens laid them, without any problems. She says they taste great, the yolks are just a little more flat when you crack the egg open.
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