Budget Pantry

Here are some affordable, key items to look for when stocking up at the grocery. The colors let you know where you can find each food on the MyPlate.  Learn more about MyPlate.

It's important to try to make your plate look like MyPlate at each meal.  You should try to fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, and fill the rest with healthy proteins and whole grains. 

Fruit

  • Apples / Applesauce
  • Bananas
  • Raisins
  • Citrus fruits like lemons, limes and oranges

Vegetables

  • Root Vegetables like carrots, rutabaga, turnips and onions
  • Frozen or Canned Vegetables
  • Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes.

Protein

  • Dried Beans
  • Lentils
  • Eggs
  • Canned Fish like tuna, salmon, anchovies
  • Peanut Butter or other Nut Butters and Nuts
  • Meat and Ground Meat 

Grains

  • Oats
  • Tortillas (Corn or Wheat)
  • Whole Wheat Pasta
  • Plain Cereal
  • Brown Rice
  • Whole Popcorn Kernels

Dairy

  • Yogurt​​
  • Cheese

Other

  • Fresh Herbs and Flavorings
  • Dried Spices like Cilantro, Parsley, Garlic
  • Broth and Stock
  • Oil and Vegetable oil