As the U.S. economy hangs in that questionable status that has many people thinking "recession," it's a great time to think about how you can get the most for your money at the grocery store.

For starters, here's how much the U.S.D.A. says you should spend for healthy food, assuming you make everything at home.

It says a single man between ages 19 and 50 should spend $45 dollars a week or $195 per month.

A family of four with two children should spend about $130 a week, or less than $600 per month.

Here are some tips from Nutrition Education Program Coordinator Nancy Coffey:

1. Shop with a list. Think about food have a home and meals will make that week.
2. Don’t go hungry.
3. Have the most frugal shopper go to the grocery store. Shop without children.
4. Use unit pricing to get the best buy. Buy store brands.
5. Shop the outside perimeter of the grocery store where the least processed foods are.
6. Use store ads or key cards.
7. Go to store once a week, not daily and not once a month.

If you don’t have enough money for food:
• Food Share (Food Stamps), see link below.
• St. Francis Food Pantry, 1221 Truax Blvd, 839-7706.
• The Community Table, 1300 1st Ave, 835-4977.
• Summer Food Service: Longfellow School, Boys & Girls Club,
Friday Bag Lunches & PM Snack at Kessler, McDonough and Sundet.