Making food dollars count: a food writer's perspective

Making Food Dollars Count:

A Food Writer's Perspective

Savvy consumers know that one of the cheapest and most readily available sources of information about food purchasing and nutrition is their local newspaper. And, according to Jean Thwaite, food writer for the Atlanta Journal and the Atlanta Constitution, consumers do take advantage of that information. On days when the Atlanta newspapers carry the weekly food section, each paper's circulation jumps by about 10,000 copies.

Thwaite, speaking to participants of USDA's "Making Food Dollars Count' workshop in Atlanta last year, stressed how newspapers can help low-income shoppers.

"Sixty-three percent of the people with incomes of $15,000 or less read the newspaper 5 days a week,' said Thwaite. "Of the people who are out of work, 64 percent read the paper 5 days a week.'

Suggests using ads and coupons

Newspapers' grocery advertisements provide the most help to low-income shoppers. By reading the ads, shoppers can determine which is the closest store with the greatest sales on food they want or need.

But, Thwaite cautioned, unadvertised specials are still sometimes the best buys. Shoppers should be alert for such specials and be flexible enough in their meal planning to take advantage of them.

"Cents-off coupons are another useful money-saving source,' she said. "Approximately 73 percent of all shoppers use coupons, and 80 percent of the coupons redeemed come from newspapers.'

Each Atlanta newspaper carries an average of $10 in food coupons a week. Occasionally, the value of the coupons totals more than double that amount.

Thwaite, like all food writers, tries to offer a variety of feature articles and columns which meet the needs of most of her readers. However, readers who must stretch their food budgets top her priority list. For example, she spends at least half a day each week compiling an article on best buys at Atlanta stores to assist shoppers with limited budgets.

"My biggest fear is that some day I'll miss the lowest price or that the stores will change their ads prior to press time,' she says. Although she admits researching and writing the column is a grueling task, Thwaite considers it an essential service.

Readers can get more help

Other consumer-oriented articles she prints routinely include "Dial a Dietitian' and "Dollar Saver.'

"Dial a Dietitian,' a public service of the Atlanta Dietetic Association, offers readers a chance to ask questions about food and nutrition by calling a special telephone number. Professional dietitians, who volunteer their time, return the calls with answers. A summary of each week's questions and answers appears in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution food sections--a regular feature of the papers for the past 15 years.

"Dollar Saver,' written by Atlanta area Extension Service home economists is designed for low-income families in particular. The popular weekly column deals with wise shopping practices, planning and preparing thrifty meals, and food preservation techniques.

"What I print is not unique,' says Thwaite. "There must be 50 or more food editors in the country running similar features. Our purpose is all the same--to provide information, a little fun, and most of all, something worthwhile.'

COPYRIGHT 1984 U.S. Government Printing Office
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group