You might already know that food is pretty expensive here in Sweden. So, how can you make the most out of your money?
1. The farmers market (Bondens egen marknad)
Every Saturday, 13 Aug -> 1 Oct 2022, 9.30-14.00 in the parking lot behind the cathedral
I found a lot of cheap vegetables coming directly from the producers at the farmers’ market. Of course, do not expects cheap tomatoes or any summer vegetables as this market is the beginning of the Autumn season. There, you’ll find root vegetables, beans, pumpkins or even blue potatoes from Hermelins grönsaker, basil plants, honey, meat, bread, jam and local cider from many other local producers. This year, I’ll definitely buy a lot, try to do more fermented veggies and freeze some good dishes for the long winter nights.
Tip: cut all your root veggies into strips and coat with rosemary and oil. Then roast in the oven. It is delicious!
2. Tift Södergård
Self-picking strawberry farm, mid-June to mid-July (check on Facebook)
Around 75kr/kg in June and down to 60kr/kg in July, it is a very cheap price for strawberries. I went a couple of times with friends and we all enjoyed the activity of picking red strawberries and tasting the different varieties. And it is only 15min. away from Ryd by bike!
3. Foraging for berries and mushrooms as well as picking fruits
You can find a lot of berries in the woods during summer/early autumn. Make sure you know what you forage and be careful: do not eat if you have a doubt, there are some poisonous berries/mushrooms, be certain! Also, don’t be greedy and leave some for the birds.
You can also freely pick fruits from trees (as long as they are not in someone’s backyard): here is a map to localize them.
4. Supermarket offers/reductions (erbjudanden/rabatter)
In every supermarket, you will find two main types of offers, and then a few special prices.
Kampanj (Campaign) or Veckans Pris (Week’s price)
Offers that apply to everyone.
Stammispriser (Member’s prices)
Applies only if you have a membership at the shop (usually free except Coop). To apply for a membership, you usually need both a personnummer and a Swedish phone number.
Personal offers
As a member of ICA, you will get personalized offers based on what you usually buy. These offers can be found in the ICA app. As a student, you can sometimes get 50% off of food or even more (I once had free frozen mango!).
As a member of City Gross and a student, you will get 5% of everything you buy. Note that you need the Mecenat app and to show the student card every time!
As a member of Coop, you’ll get 50% off some items as well as personalized offers.
Win-win mot svinn (Hemköp)/ Svinnsmart (Willys)
Contrary to the previous offers, these ones depend on the state of the vegetables and expiration dates so you need to be in the shop at the right time to get them, and they are fluctuant. If you are okay with improvising recipes in the shop, I would suggest you look first at these climate-smart spots and adapt your shopping list based on what you find.
In Hemköp, you can find bags of fruits and/or vegetables that are going bad for 10kr, as well as some dairy products with 30%-50% because of their short expiration date.
Similarly, in Willy, you will find crates of veggies/fruits for 20kr, 30%-50% of dairy, bread or any other food.
