Several readers have praised Prairie Land Food as a great way to save money on groceries. The non-profit organization is based here in Kansas. Its primary mission is to offer quality food at lower-than-retail prices.
Each month, Prairie Land Food sells packages that generally include a selection of meat and produce along with a small sampling of dessert items. Individual meat components or produce components can be added to the packages.
For example, a recent “Prairie Pak,” which costs $25, included these items:
1 lb. Lean Ground Beef
1.9 lbs. Chicken Drums
1 lb. Pork Breakfast Sausage
1 lb. Individually Quick Frozen Chicken Breast Fillets
20 oz. Premium Ham Steak
Cauliflower
2 Green Peppers
Lettuce
4 Peaches
4 Nectarines
1 Mango
4 Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcakes (from a famous maker)
Individual meat-only or produce-only packages can also be purchased. Additional specials are also available each month, like a 24-pound box of pizza pockets for only $19.
Volunteers pack and distribute the food at various locations. There are 8 distribution locations in the city of Wichita and 22 locations in surrounding communities.
For more information or to purchase online, visit the Prairie Land Food website.
There are no financial requirements for the program – in other words, it isn’t need-based or only for those who make less than a certain amount per year. The only requirement is that in some way, at some time during the month you make your purchase, you volunteer your time to help others (which could be anything from volunteering with an organization to caring for your grandmother to praying for someone on a regular basis). The volunteer requirement isn’t tracked – it’s on the honor system.