Cost-Saving Techniques for Food During Festivities

More often than not, the fun fair surrounding the festive season comes with extreme financial demands. 

Among the items that take up most of the budget during the holidays is food. This is because Kenyans often have to prepare large meals for their families on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and the New Year. 

On the other hand, given that the festive season precedes January, it is prudent for Kenyans to exercise caution during the festivities.   

Here are some of the tips that can help you save more money with your food budget this festive season.

Shopping Tricks

When shopping for food during the festive season, it is important to buy in bulk instead of purchasing items daily. This will also save on transportation costs. 

It is also advisable to purchase these food items days before the specific festivities to avoid falling prey to business owners who tend to increase the price of items because of the high demand.

Additionally, one can save more money by going for items that are on offer.

Given the festive season, supermarkets and retail shops will offer festive discounts, so you need to take advantage of these offers.

Kenyans can also save money by shopping in wholesale outlets that supply items to shops around them.

Those with loyalty cards for various stores can also use the points that they have earned throughout the year.

Cooking Tricks

Similar to the shopping tricks, cooking in bulk saves time and energy.

For instance, instead of cooking lunch and dinner on Christmas Day, one can opt to prepare large meals for lunch and warm the leftovers for dinner.

Excess food can also be stored in refrigerators for future use.

Food Price Projections During Festive Season

According to a survey by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), most food prices are expected to remain stable during the festive season.

However, some of the food items that are expected to increase include tomatoes.

"The expected increase in tomato prices is largely driven by seasonal factors as tomato supply tends to decline during the rainy season and increase when dry conditions set in," read the report in part.

"Respondents also expect an increase in prices of beans, green grams, green maize, maize grain – loose and garden peas in December 2024, largely reflecting seasonality."

Conversely, food items that are set to drop include milk, cabbages, and vegetables.