This chapter is your biggest help while shopping during a workcamp.
It will tell you what to buy, how much of it to buy, and how to stay eco-friendly and low-budget!

Wait, what - that is unfortunately not true. There are no exact rules, that would make food shopping so easy. But we can share some simple steps that will make it less stressful and a bit more sustainable.

1. Shop only for what you need.
Always think not of ingredients but of meals themselves! You can check out our recipes for inspiration (link here). A list of meals will make it easier for you in the shop. First time going you can buy all the essentials in bigger quantities, they will be used a lot and do not expire fast - rice, pasta, oatmeal, cereal, cans with corn, beans, tomato sauce, spices, salt, etc. - but only first time.

2. Always bring your reusable bags - at least some.
Choose products in more eco packaging (we know it’s hard).

Source: https://hivebrands.com/blogs/news/sustainable-grocery-shopping

3. Take into consideration the dietary requirements of the group.
Eg.: It is always easier to cook Lasagne without Beshamel if someone does not tolerate milk than cooking 2 different Lasagnes, isn’t it?

4. Choose Sustainable Groceries.
Organic, fair-trade, seasonal, local.

5. Analyse and reevaluate.
Going to the shop next time you should have a clear idea, of what you still have, how to use it, and what products your participants enjoy more/less.
Eg.: You had 2 big plain Joghurts and vanilla flavored. After 3 days you can see in the fridge 1,5 vanilla yogurts only, others are gone. What should you get next time?

6. Try out new and plant-based!
Why? See in Sustainable cooking? chapter

And a very simple check-list, what should we eat:

• Fruits and vegetables
• High fiber carbohydrates
• Healthy protein foods
• Aaaaand extra fun stuff!