The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday tweeted out a link to a webpage that encourages people to think about the food they need for the week, make a list and then shop for that food at a store.
USDA’s tweet linked to a page called “list your weekly meals” that said it’s best to “write down meals you want to make this week” before making a grocery list. Doing it in that order, the site says, means “fewer shopping trips,” and will help people buy only the things they need to eat that week.
Base grocery lists on meals you want to make. Lists help you buy only items you need. https://t.co/dbbfgiRgyo #MyPlateMyWins
— ChooseMyPlate.gov (@MyPlate) May 17, 2016
The site also has four steps people can use to plan what to buy at the store.
“Look in your freezer, cabinets and refrigerator,” it said. “Make a note of what you currently have on hand.”
It also suggests people “use a worksheet” to keep track of it all, and to “think about your schedule” when it comes to planning which meals to cook on which nights.
“Choose meals you can prepare easily on your busiest days,” it said. “Save recipes that take longer for days off.”
The site links to other pages such as “make a grocery list,” “save more at the store” and “shop smart to fill your cart.”
