Food Planning Calendar
DOWNLOADOctober 3, 2018 - Michigan State University Extension
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EmailUse the Food Planning Calendar to stretch your food dollars.
Create a Meal Schedule
Use the calendar to plan which meals you will prepare on specific days. Include breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks that will be made at home.
Meal planning helps stretch your food budget by encouraging you to eat at home, using ingredients you already have, shopping for only what you need, and reducing food waste.
Track Your Food Spending and Benefits
Use the calendar to plan your food spending throughout the month. You can track things like:
- Paydays and shopping days
- Dates when food assistance benefits arrive
- When certain benefits expire
- Special events such as potlucks, birthdays, or holidays
- Store specials, coupons, and sales
Tracking this information helps you spread out your food spending, so you don’t run out of money or benefits too soon.
Use with the My Food Assistance Benefits Worksheet
Use the Food Planning Calendar together with the My Food Assistance Benefits Worksheet to stay organized. These tools can help you plan how and when to spend your personal food dollars and food assistance benefits, so that you stay in control of your food budget.
Learn about food assistance programs and how to stretch your benefits at MSU Extension's Food Budgeting site.
