Resources

  • How to Navigate a Grocery Store to Save Money and Time

    Published on June 24, 2025
    Tired of overspending at the grocery store? Discover easy tips to stick to your budget, shop smarter,and waste less food.

  • Shopping healthy on a budget

    Published on June 17, 2025
    It is possible to feed your family healthy foods while sticking to a budget. Learn strategies for saving while at the store to maximize your food budget.

  • Grocery shopping on a budget for healthy foods

    Published on June 13, 2025
    There are lots of things you can do to make healthy food choices and stick to your budget.

  • Fighting Hunger in Rural Michigan: Thumb Blessing Boxes

    Published on August 24, 2022
    In 2019, the Tuscola Food Access Collaborative was created to address food insecurity in the rural “thumb area" of Michigan. As a result, the organization leveraged existing structures and projects, including the Thumb Blessing Boxes.

  • Empowering Michiganders to Lead Healthier Lives Through Nutrition & Physical Activity Education

    Published on June 23, 2022
    Through MSU Extension's programming, Michiganders gained knowledge about nutrition and healthy foods, physical activity, and reduced their food insecurity.

  • Budgeting Your Benefits Interactive Worksheet Template

    Published on December 3, 2020
    The Budgeting Your Benefits Interactive Worksheet Template allows you to input your monthly food budget and subtract expenses as you purchase food throughout the month.

  • Budgeting Food Benefits

    Published on October 4, 2018
    Toolkit for the Budgeting Your Benefits class that offers tips on getting the great value from some of the major food assistance benefits available to Michigan residents and on avoiding food waste. Includes a calendar and worksheet.

  • Food Planning Calendar

    Published on October 3, 2018
    The Food Planning Calendar can help you make your food budget last longer, by using it to create a meal schedule and to track your food spending and benefits.

  • My Food Assistance Benefits Worksheet

    Published on October 3, 2018
    The My Food Assistance Benefits Worksheet helps you stay organized and make the most of the federal, state, and or community food benefits that you receive.

  • Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day

    Published on October 20, 2016
    This book isn’t challenging you to live on so little; it’s a resource in case that’s your reality. In May 2014, there were 46 million Americans on food stamps. Untold millions more—in particular, retirees and students—live under similar constraints.