How to eat well on a tight budget: local tips

Weekly grocery bills at Geelong supermarkets climbed another 9 percent in June compared with the same month last year, pushing more households to hunt for cheaper fresh food without losing nutrition.

The increase hits hardest in winter when heating costs rise and local gardens slow down. Barwon Health recorded a 14 percent jump in diet-related clinic visits between May and July 2025, many from people cutting back on produce to save money.

Market runs near the waterfront

Shoppers now meet at the Geelong Farmers Market on Moorabool Street every Saturday morning from 8am. Stalls there sell carrots for $1.80 a kilogram and cabbage heads for $2.50, prices that stay below chain-store tags. A short walk from Eastern Beach rock pool, the market also stocks eggs from farms along the Barwon River at $5.50 a dozen. Buyers fill reusable bags early to beat the rush and split bulk bunches of kale or silverbeet with neighbours.

Another stop is the community pantry on Pakington Street in Geelong West, open Tuesdays and Thursdays. The pantry offers free or low-cost staples such as lentils and oats through a partnership with local growers. Participants must bring their own containers, which keeps waste down and lets families portion exact amounts needed for the week.

Simple meal plans that stretch further

Registered dietitians at Barwon Health recommend starting with a Tuesday night soup made from market carrots, onions and split peas, then stretching the same base into Wednesday lunches. A 2025 Victorian health survey showed households that planned three meals around one protein source cut their food spend by an average of $47 a week. Adding a tin of tomatoes and herbs from the pantry turns the soup into a base for pasta on Thursday without extra shopping trips.

Residents can also join the free cooking sessions held at the Geelong Library on Little Malop Street on the first Wednesday of each month. Sessions focus on one-pot dishes using only items under $15 for a family of four. The next session on 5 August will cover slow-cooker bean chilli and tips for freezing portions ahead of the school holidays.

Start this weekend by listing three meals that use overlapping ingredients, then head to the Moorabool Street market with a reusable bag and a strict total in mind. Check Barwon Health’s website for pantry opening times before setting out.