[tinapbeana]

don't know if this will be much help, but check around and see if there are food auctions in your area. we actually have 2 food auctions in my area, one is once a month and the other is every saturday night. the food is all overstocks from grocery stores and restaurants, and the seller states up front if the product is out of date (last one i went to the only things out of date were chocolate, which means it's still AOK to me!).

at one, meat & fish are usually a great buy: i got mahi mahi fillets for $2 a lb. i've also gotten 1.5 lbs of organic walnut halves for $3.

the other has lower prices over all but is further away, so i personally haven't been. it's more restaurant stuff so, for instance, they had gallon sized vacuum sealed bags of frozen spinach artichoke dip that chili's serves. it sold for $1 a bag (this is really good mixed w/ alfredo sauce and grilled chicken!). fajita chicken strips 3-4 lb bag for $5.

my sister-in-law goes to the weekly auction 1-2 times a month, and her freezer is jam packed already, invariably she winds up sending some stuff our way!