(ARA) – Think it’s tough managing your grocery budget and making the most of family mealtime? Meet Kathryn Sansone, a St. Louis mother of 10 who, along with her husband, puts dinner on the table six nights a week. If anyone knows the value of stretching the dinner table dollar, it’s the woman who sets a table for 12 almost every night of the week.
“Cooking for my family is not just about feeding them — it’s another way my husband and I express love to our kids,” says Sansone. “We’ve …

My family’s meals were all planned ahead for the week and I was feeling quite organized. I made out the menu, put together the grocery list, and got my shopping all done in one trip. This week we were not going to waste any money on fast food or delivery meals. I was on a roll.
Then I opened my pantry to put my groceries away. Oops. I was staring at items of food that I purchased while they were on sale a couple weeks ago… items I just bought today …

Corn prices have plummeted by more than 50 percent over the past six months, while food prices are up 6 percent for the year, according to data released recently by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
At the same time, energy costs fell 17 percent and transportation expenses dropped 10 percent in November.
“The truth is corn prices have almost no effect on grocery store prices, and apparently even the impact of fuel costs is minimal,” said Randy Woodruff, president of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, in a press release.

Falling food costs and a prolonged recession may tempt restaurant chains into a wave of discounts next year, leaving potential profits on the table.
With prices for many food items and fuel hitting record highs this summer, restaurants were forced to raise the prices of their dishes beyond historical norms, producing a bitter proposition for customers watching the values of their homes and investment portfolios shrink.
Now, with food inflation expected to ease next year and the price of oil already in freefall, analysts will be watching whether restaurants can hold onto …

I grew up in the Midwestern State of Indiana. My family, along with all our neighbors, always had big vegetable gardens. There was nothing better than going out to the garden, picking fresh vegetables and having them for dinner. In the winter, we still enjoyed the fruits of our labors as we enjoyed the vegetables we canned or froze during the summer. Maybe that is why I love vegetables and casseroles so much. If you are also one who enjoys vegetables and/or casseroles, here are …