A community initiative in Pitt County is aiming to show residents that healthy eating can be affordable, even as many Americans report rising food costs. The Penny Pinchers Health Grocery Store Tours, led by the Pitt Partners for Health Coalition, provide hands-on grocery store tours and practical budgeting strategies to help participants make healthier choices without overspending.
Healthy eating plays a key role in preventing chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. Although higher prices are often seen as an obstacle, nutritious diets can still be achieved with careful planning. Recent research from the Pew Research Center indicates that about 70 percent of Americans feel that increased costs have made it harder to eat healthily.
Qua’Tavia White, community health improvement coordinator at ECU Health, noted that making informed decisions and cooking at home can lower expenses while improving overall health.
The Penny Pinchers Program was established through the Pitt Partners for Health Coalition and is supported by a grant from The Duke Endowment’s “Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas” initiative. While ECU Health Medical Center is one of several coalition members, the program is led by volunteers from across Pitt County.
“This is a coalition effort,” said White. “We have partners from all over the county helping lead it and we are grateful to our local Food Lions for allowing us to host this program at their stores.”
Central to the program is the $15 challenge—a guided grocery store tour where participants learn how to shop smartly on a limited budget. Volunteers like De’Vette Thomas, community health improvement manager at ECU Health, lead these tours at different Food Lion locations throughout Pitt County.
Each session starts with an orientation before moving into a walk through the store. Participants receive instruction on comparing products using unit pricing, reading nutrition labels, choosing healthier options with Food Lion’s Guiding Stars system, and considering frozen or canned produce alongside fresh items. Afterward, each participant receives a $15 gift card and must use it to build a complete meal that meets certain nutritional guidelines.
“The rules are to stay under budget and include at least three of four key components: a healthy protein, grain, fruit, dairy, and vegetable,” said Thomas. “Deli meats and processed items like bacon are off-limits for the challenge due to them not having any Guiding Stars and being high in sodium and fat. Participants are encouraged to eat from this food group less often. We want people to know they can eat healthily and still not spend a lot of money. It’s about teaching them how to get the most bang for their buck.”
Tours generally accommodate 10-13 participants per session with some events tailored specifically for groups such as public health students or senior clubs. Sessions take place monthly or more frequently based on demand.
Feedback has been positive according to organizers who collect surveys before and after each event. Lydia Best participated in one session and described her experience as “fantastic.”
“I enjoyed meeting the other people who were there as well as all the information we were given,” said Best. “I had never noticed those stars at Food Lion for how to shop in a healthier fashion. We shared so much information between each other. It was fabulous.”
Best also spoke about preparing her meal within budget: “I had chicken and broccoli, and I grilled it on top of the stove–nothing fried,” she said. “It was good, and my husband enjoyed it too.”
She added that programs like Penny Pinchers help people see that healthy eating on a budget is possible.
“A lot of people feel that they cannot eat healthy on a budget, and this proves that they can,” Best said. “Just knowing how to choose the right foods and even getting ideas for preparation makes a difference. It’s important to take time to shop for nourishment, and people need to know they can do this and have fun doing it.”
Best praised tour volunteers as knowledgeable and friendly: “I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to participate in Penny Pinchers to do so,” Best said. “It’s worthwhile. It will open your eyes and help you see that you can eat healthy on a budget.”
Both Thomas and White emphasized their goal of dispelling myths around affordability.
“People say it’s expensive to be healthy,” White said. “But this program shows that’s not necessarily true.”
The Penny Pinchers program combines education with community support in eastern North Carolina by giving residents tools needed for making informed food choices.
To register or find out more about upcoming sessions contact De’Vette Thomas at 252-847-6497 or [email protected].
