If you’re having a difficult time affording your groceries lately, you’re not alone. In March, food at home prices were up 2.4% on an annual basis, according to the Consumer Price Index — but that’s only half of the story.
Between 2020 and 2024, U.S. food prices rose a whopping 23.6%, according to the USDA.
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It’s not surprising, then, to learn that 70% of consumers were struggling to afford their groceries at the end of 2024, according to data from Swiftly. In addition to that, last year, 62% of consumers reported they were no longer purchasing snack products due to increasing costs.
But one “secret” spot in Dallas is helping local residents eat well without breaking the bank.
"It’s economical, it’s great quality," co-owner Arnie Perez told CBS Texas. "Let’s bring big products, you know, beautiful produce, at a great price. It has to work."
A lifeline for budget-conscious consumers
Many people on a budget have to choose between feeding their families nutritious food versus saving money on groceries.
At Cedar Market Ranch in Dallas, Texas, customers get the best of both worlds. The goal of the store is to help families eat well on a budget.
Perez said customers are always comparing his family’s store to others and "claiming they have cut their grocery bill in half."
Cedar Market Ranch started out as a "secret" spot for locals. But it eventually went viral on TikTok, with 1.5 million views (and counting) for its affordable selection of high-quality produce.
"When we first went viral, our line was four hours [long]," Perez told CBS Texas.
One customer, Julie Blosnick, runs a school for young kids, and she relies on Cedar Market Ranch to provide healthy items that fit her budget.
"We do snacks and everything at our school, so it’s important to me that we’re able to provide that for our children," she told CBS Texas.
Cedar Market Ranch works directly with farmers and operates a distribution center, cutting out the middleman. That allows them to source quality products at a low price, and pass that savings on to their customers. It also allows them to deliver produce that’s fresh and appealing.
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How to use social media to cut your grocery bill
Many Dallas shoppers discovered Cedar Market Ranch on social media and are now saving money on groceries because of it.
But even if you don’t live anywhere near North Texas, you may be able to use social media to discover local savings of your own.
First, you can follow budget-conscious personalities on platforms like TikTok and Instagram to learn more about the tricks they use to save money on groceries. It also pays to see if your town or community has a social media page on Facebook or another platform. There, you might find tips on great grocery finds, as well as other money-saving resources.
Along these lines, if you’re a parent, you may want to see if there’s a local "moms or dads on a budget" Facebook group you can join. And don’t underestimate the value of throwing some hashtags into social media and seeing where they take you.
Using #GroceryDeals or #CheapEats on Facebook, for example, brings up dozens of pages you can follow.
Social media can also be a great place to discover local businesses you can follow to see what deals they have to offer.
If you’re trying to save money on groceries, it also pays to team up with friends and neighbors in the area who are in the same boat. That way, you can use social media to tag each other when one of you uncovers a great find.
Say you notice that a popular kids’ snack is on sale at your local supermarket. You could throw together a social media post, tag your fellow savers and then sit back while they enjoy the savings, too.
When in doubt, price matching can be another great way to save when you have the time to scan competitor prices — as long as the store you’re shopping at honors it.
Finally, don’t forget to follow your go-to supermarket on social media. Even if it’s a national chain, you never know what information you might get simply by having its page show up in your feed.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
