426: How to Cut Your Grocery Bill (and Make Produce Last for Weeks) with Amy Cross
If your grocery total makes you cringe every single week — and you’re constantly tossing slimy lettuce or moldy berries — this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale.
I’m talking with Amy Cross, urban homesteader and founder of The Cross Legacy, who feeds her family mostly organic, whole foods… on just $270 a month for two people — and only shops every three to four weeks.
She’s the creator of the viral “strawberries in a jar” method and the author of Zero Waste Produce Guide. In this conversation, she shares simple, doable changes to help busy moms save money, waste less food, and finally feel in control of what’s happening in their kitchen.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why your produce goes bad so fast (05:10)
- The truth about mold spores, E. coli, and bacteria on fresh produce
- How washing correctly (¼ cup vinegar to 10 cups water) extends the life of berries for 2–3 weeks
- The drying + jar method that keeps grapes good for up to 6 weeks
Produce “buddies” and “enemies” you’ve never heard of (07:52)
- Why bananas, apples, and oranges shouldn’t be stored together
- How avocados + citrus help each other stay fresh up to a month
- Why onions and potatoes need at least 3 feet of distance
- How long onions, garlic, apples, and citrus actually last when stored properly
How Amy keeps her grocery budget at $135 per person per month (05:57)
- The medical crisis that reshaped how her family budgeted for food
- Her long-term rule of budgeting per person, not per trip
- How whole ingredients help reduce impulse buying and food waste
Easy batch-cooking strategies for exhausted moms (14:47)
- Why taco meat is the “gateway to batch cooking”
- How she sneaks veggies like lentils, beans, and zucchini into family favorites
- How she cooks only 2–3 days a week but still feeds her family three home-cooked meals a day
Getting kids confident in the kitchen (21:06)
- How her kids learned to cook during her medical crisis
- Why letting kids “make a mess and clean it up” builds real skills
- Ideas for giving kids ownership — even just one meal a week or month
If you feel guilty about how your kids currently eat… start here (25:54)
- The small-but-mighty after-school veggie + dip plate ritual
- Why adding produce slowly matters more than switching everything at once
- A realistic first step for families relying on packaged foods
The famous Strawberries-in-a-Jar method explained (27:16)
- Why slicing, topping, or pre-cutting berries shortens their life
- The exact wash, dry, and store steps
- How long each berry type lasts when stored Amy’s way
- Strawberries: 3 weeks
- Blackberries/Raspberries: 2–3 weeks
- Grapes: 4–6 weeks
- Blueberries: 6–8 weeks
Is it the pantry staples or the produce hacks that save the most money? (30:37)
- The shocking stat: families waste 40–60% of the food they buy
- How smarter storing + simple ingredients work together to slash the grocery bill
- Seasonal meal rhythms that help Amy use up freezer meals before the next season
Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
- Find Amy’s work at The Cross Legacy
- Check out her book: Zero Waste Produce Guide
- Watch Amy’s weekly meal series on YouTube
JoAnn Crohn
CEO/Founder at No Guilt Mom
Title:
426: How to Cut Your Grocery Bill (and Make Produce Last for Weeks) with Amy Cross
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Last Updated:
December 1, 2025
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