Kimberly Kanechika
University of Hawaii
Cooperative Extension Service
Hawaii Child Care Nutrition Program
Overview

Introductions

What factors affect purchasing?
Helpful strategies to
“SHOP SMART”
 Putting knowledge to
work

What factors affect
purchasing?

Budget
Make vs Buy
 Size of facilities


Menu
• Kitchen
• Storage
What factors affect
purchasing?

Number & ages of children

Staff

Availability of stores

Access to other resources
• HI State DOE - OHCNP – CACFP
• Reimbursements for meal costs
Helpful Strategies to
“Shop Smart”
 Know your foods
 Plan shopping trips
 Buyer be aware
Know your foods…
Milk

Whole, 2%, 1%, Skim

Calcium fortified beverages

Check unit price
• Gallon
• Half Gallon
•Quart
•Pint
Know your foods
Unit Pricing
Unit Price =
Package price ($)
# of units
1 pint
$1.25
Half Gallon
$3.00
Unit Price:
62¢ per
cup
Unit price:
38¢ per cup
Know your foods…
Fruits and Veggies

Seasonality

All forms count

Farmers’ Market
• Fresh
• Frozen
• Canned
• Dried
• 100% Juice
Know your foods…
Breads & Grains
Choose whole
grains
 Bread Thrift Stores

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Whole wheat
Whole oats
Whole grain
corn
Popcorn
Brown rice
Source: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005
Brown Rice
2 x as much Folate
5 x as much Thiamin
~3 x as much:
• Fiber
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Niacin
• Iron
White Rice
Calories
Riboflavin
Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 21 (2008)
Know your foods…
Meats & Meat Alternates

Factors to consider when buying
meats
• Cut
• Fat & connective tissue
• Preparation style

Slow cooker recipes
Know your foods…
Meats & Meat Alternates

Don’t forget about
• Turkey or chicken
• Fish
• Eggs – check for cracks
• Dry Beans and Peas
• Nuts
Know your foods…
Convenience Foods

Advantages

Disadvantages
• Saves labor time
• Ready to eat
• Product will be
• Usually more
• Food label
• May not meet
consistent
provided
costly
• Cannot control
ingredients
component
guidelines
Know your foods…
•Food labels
Limit these
•Ingredients list
Get enough
•Listed in order
of weight
Plan your shopping trip
Make a shopping list

Keep & maintain inventory

Check weekly ads for sales

Be open to alternatives

Know general prices
Plan your shopping trip

Use store discount cards

Try store brands
Plan your shopping trip
Be Flexible
Plan meals/snacks around sales
 Buy in bulk and use in multiple meals
 Example

• Buy extra boxes of cereal,
pretzels & dried fruit (when
on sale) and make a trail
mix for future snacks
Plan your shopping trip
Coupons

Can offer great savings when the “price
is right”

May offer opportunities to try new
products at a reduced rate


Generic brands may
still offer better deals
Check for online coupons
SAVE 75 ¢
Granola Bars
Exp: 6/30/09
One coupon per customer
Warehouse – Buy in bulk

Advantages
• Unit price of
goods are
sometimes
cheaper than at
the grocery store
• Great for staple
items that have a
long shelf life

Disadvantages
• Must pay for
membership
• May have less variety
• May not have sites
nearby
• Must buy in larger
quantities – greater
chance of spoiling
Buyer Be Aware
Buy foods safely

Know store layout
Shelf stable
goods
Refrigerated, Frozen,
Hot Deli foods

Buy intact cans and packages

Do not buy refrigerated items that are
warm
Buyer Be Aware
Buy foods safely

Dates on food packages
• “Use-by” date required for infant
formula and some baby food
• No universally accepted dating system
“Sell-By”
“Best
If Used By”
“Use-By”
“Coded”
Buyer Be Aware
Buy foods safely

General tips
• Buy product before date passes
• Practice safe food handling practices
• Freeze for later use
• Food storage chart
• FIFO
Buyer Be Aware

Plan to save time

Be aware of marketing techniques

Check scanner & receipt for errors
Shop Smart!

Know your foods

Plan shopping trips

Stay within your budget,
but be flexible
Websites
• Child and Adult Care Food Program
– http://ohcnp.k12.hi.us/programs/cacfp.html
• Farmers’ Markets
– http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/add/farmers-market-in-hawaii
• Leave It Then Eat It – Slow Cooked Island Recipes
– http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/new/LeaveItThenEatItCookbook.htm
• Food Product Dating
– http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Food_Product_
Dating/index.asp
• USDA Food Buying Guide
– http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/foodbuyingguide.html
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsavings/
Putting knowledge to work…

Station 1 – Unit Price Check

Station 2 – Fruits & Veggies More Matters

Station 3 – Be Safe
Contact Information
Hawaii Child Care Nutrition Program
1955 East-West Road, #306
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
Phone: 956-4124
Fax: 956-6457
Email: hccnp@hawaii.edu
Contact Person: Kimberly Kanechika