Ever consider what pets must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul — chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!

— Anne Tyler —

In spite of some professions claiming to be the oldest in the world, I personally think Food Gatherer and Hunter may have come earlier. You can go without some commodities for weeks, months, even years, but our tummies have a way of demanding attention. With time at a premium these days, organized food shopping is a must.

The first step for any Food Shopping is the Grocery List. I'm sure the grocery list is a culture unto itself with ones scribbled on scraps of paper, pre-printed lists, and computer generated lists. The list itself should be organized according to categories, such as vegetables, meats, condiments, etc. In addition to that, it helps to write down the aisle number where the products are found. Whenever you frequent a store, jot down the aisle numbers of items you frequently need. The next time you are preparing your list for shopping in that store, write down the aisle number so you can head directly to it. Many Recipe computer programs can automatically prepare your shopping list from a menu you have designed.

The second step is splitting your shopping list into the little shopping trips, the medium shopping trips, and the big shopping trips. The little trips are the ones to replenish the fresh items that must be used in several days, such as salad items and fresh fruits. The medium trips are the ones to buy the groceries you would need for the week's cooking. The big shop is to stock up on long term items, getting what you anticipate that you would need to replace for the month or coming months, such as paper products and toiletries. By only shopping for these items once a month, you will save time (and gas) in the long run.

The third step is deciding where you will shop. Most shopping will be done in local groceries, but there are many options available for looking for special items, favorite brands, and discounts. There are farmers markets, health food stores, bulk shopping stores, discount chains, specialty shops, and the internet. Keep a resource list of special items you like and where you can get them.

— Shelly —