While we're paying less at the pumps we're paying more at the tills for groceries.

Darren Nixon, chef at Okotoks Sobeys, says he always hears customers talking about watching food prices and the economy.

Nixon says when people head to the grocery store they should follow the seasons.

"If we steer away from obvious things that don't grow here and don't hold well, so away from leafy greens and stuff like that, and focus more on root vegetables so anything that comes out of the ground and will store in a root cellar is a really good option."

Nixon also suggests people purchase whole foods over processed, like a whole chicken, where the leftovers can be turned in different meals.

Many people may end up throwing their money in the trash by forgetting about food they have in the fridge.

Nixon says he recommends using the "first in, first out" rule.

"Look through the fridge and go ok, so this is what we need to use, what can we make with it," he says. "It actually peaks your creativity a bit because you have these ingredients and it's like this is what you have to work with and what can you make with that. A couple times I do a little inventory on what's tucked in the back of the fridge and what needs to be used, then I spend the day thinking how are we going to use that in our next meal."

Another tip is to look at sale foods and plan what can be made with those items.

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