Planning meals for the week can save money and reduce food waste! By listing your main meals and needed ingredients, you avoid overspending and last-minute, less healthy choices. Use what you already have, especially fresh items, and incorporate them into your plan.
You can use our GCU Weekly Meal Planner to plan your weekly menu, prepare your shopping list and work out what you have in the fridge or freezer that needs to be used up.
Our Student's Association offers a free Food Pantry during teaching weeks, a slot must be booked in advance here .
Food Shopping
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Check your supplies: Regularly check your cupboards, fridge, and freezer before shopping to avoid overbuying and reduce food waste.Plan and budget: Create a well-organized shopping list and set a spending limit before you shop.Bring your own bags: Save money and help the environment by using reusable bags instead of buying plastic ones.Use loyalty cards: Sign up for supermarket loyalty programs to earn points and save money on future purchases.Shop weekly: Shopping less frequently helps you stick to your budget and reduces impulse buys. Choose supermarkets that fit your needs and prices.Shop smart: Avoid shopping when hungry, try the 'Downshift Challenge' to find cheaper alternatives, and double-check supermarket deals to ensure real savings.Avoid pre-prepared items: Whole foods are often cheaper and more economical than pre-sliced or pre-packaged alternatives.Check use-by dates: Select products with the latest use-by dates to minimize waste.Buy frozen and tinned food: Frozen items and tinned products like beans and pulses are cost-effective, long-lasting, and versatile.Freeze near-expiry food: Freeze items close to their use-by date to extend their shelf life.Use saving apps: Apps like ‘Too Good To Go’ offer discounted food from cafes and supermarkets, reducing waste and saving money.Buy in bulk: Share shopping with flatmates to split costs and maximize savings.Love Food Hate Waste
Student-Friendly Recipe Ideas
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There are a huge range of websites and apps that can give you ideas for what to make in the kitchen. We've put together a few to get you started.
The Student Food Project
BBC Good Foods Student Recipes
Recipe Land - Recipe Land is a really useful website as you can type in the ingredients you have in your fridge or cupboard and it will list recipes that include these ingredients. This is a great money-saving website when you want to use up the food you have in your kitchen but are unsure what to make!
Delicious Magazine
Save the Student
Access a local food pantry
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For a small fee you will be able to select about £15 worth of food (10 items). For more information and to find a local pantry go to Scottish Pantry Network .
Love Food Hate Waste
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The average family of four can save as much as £70 per month by reducing their food waste! Saving food means saving money. Check out Love Food Hate Waste for tips on smart shopping, using up left overs and great easy recipes.
