As Google searches for ‘cheap food’ soar, how can you keep costs down?

Food prices have gone up by 4.4% over the last year, so it’s no surprise that many of us are looking for ways to keep costs low.

New figures from Peak Waste show that Google searches for “cheap food” have gone up across the UK in the last year.

But the scale of the increase in some parts of the country is alarming.

For example, online searches for “cheap food” have gone up by 600% in Oxford and 400% in Aberdeen. 

That’s followed by:

• Salford - 300%
• Manchester - 200%
• Bath - 200%

As Martin Firth from Peak Waste puts it: “This surge in searches for ‘cheap food’ is not just a trend - it’s a red flag.”

“This data underscores the urgent need for systemic solutions, not just community larders and foodbanks, but real policy action that addresses food insecurity at its root,” he said.

12 ways to cut your food costs

While big solutions are certainly needed, that can take time, and we’re seeing countless households struggling to cope with rising prices right now. 

Thankfully, there are a few simple steps you can take to make your food shop stretch a bit further…

1.    Check what you’ve got in

Before you go shopping, look in your fridge, freezer and cupboards to see what you already have. 

Plenty of what you’ve got in could form the basis of tasty, nutritious meals without you having to go to the shops and spend unnecessarily.

You should also see what’s lurking in the kitchen that’s close to its use-by date, as that can help you reduce food waste.

2.    Plan your meals

Write a shopping list based on what you plan to cook for the week and stick to it, so you don’t end up buying extra items you don’t need.

3.    Buy plenty of non-perishable food

Items like pasta, rice and tinned goods last for a long time, so it’s well worth buying these in bulk so you always have something in that you can build a meal around.

4.    Use your freezer

Batch cooking meals and freezing leftovers and food approaching its use-by date can save you lots of time and money. 

Most things can be frozen, including milk, grated cheese, herbs and sliced bread, so don’t rush to throw food away.

5.    Understand food labels

Many of us throw out perfectly good food because we don’t know what certain information means.

So it’s important to know the difference between use-by, best before and sell-by dates.

Use-by dates are about safety, so you shouldn’t eat food past this date unless you’ve frozen it before.

Best before dates relate to quality, so food is often still fine to eat after this, especially dried or tinned goods.

Sell-by dates are for the shop’s stock rotation and don’t mean the food is unsafe or expired.

6.    Don’t shop hungry

Shopping on an empty stomach can lead to impulse buys you don’t need. 

So make sure you’re fed before you go to the supermarket. 

7.    Use loyalty cards

Loyalty schemes like Tesco Clubcard or Nectar often offer exclusive discounts that can add up as you do your big weekly shop.

Just remember to compare prices, as loyalty deals aren’t always the cheapest available. 

8.    Choose wonky fruit and veg

Plenty of supermarkets offer fruit and veg that doesn’t necessarily look perfect, but still tastes the same and costs less.

So you can save money and cut food waste at the same time.

9.    Buy own-brand products 

Can you really tell the difference between a supermarket own brand product and its branded equivalent?

Probably not, so you can enjoy similar quality at much lower prices just by avoiding the big-name brands.

10.    Buy frozen food

Many shoppers believe that frozen fruit and veg isn’t as nutritious as fresh produce.

But that’s a myth, so if you’re counting the pennies, head to the freezer section.

Not only is frozen food just as good for you, it’s cheaper and it’ll last longer.

11.    Try price comparison sites

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices across supermarkets so you can find the best deal on your weekly essentials.

12.    Use food waste apps

Apps like Olio and Too Good To Go help you pick up surplus food from neighbours, cafés and shops at low prices - often for just a few pounds.

Small changes can lead to big savings

None of these suggestions involve big lifestyle changes or major time commitments.

But they can make a big difference to you and your wallet.

With just a bit of planning and a few clever swaps, you can cut your spending on food considerably and make what you’ve bought stretch much, much further.