The 6-to-1 Grocery Shopping Method

If you’re looking to save money at the grocery store, eat healthier, waste less food, and try new foods, then we have found a shopping method for you. Chef Will Coleman came up with this method after spending too much time and money shopping, and having too much food spoil on him. It has been trending on social media as more people implement the 6-to-1 process. It’s rather simple. With the 6-to-1 method you buy a set number of items for each kind listed below:

  • 6 Vegetables
  • 5 Fruits
  • 4 Proteins
  • 3 Starches
  • 2 Sauces and/or Spreads
  • 1 Fun Item to enjoy
A Storehouse staff member stands behind a cart in the produce section of an Albertson's grocery store. He is holding bananas and has fruits and vegetables in his cart. This demonstrates prioritizing fruits and vegetables in the 6-to-1 grocery shopping method.
The 6-to-1 grocery shopping method focuses on healthy eating with fruits and vegetables being the priority.

Benefits of 6-to-1 Grocery Shopping

The biggest benefit of the 6-to-1 method is prioritizing what you need and being intentional with shopping. You will impulse purchase less, plan meals more easily, and have less extra food to potentially spoil. This method also encourages a healthy and balanced diet, with vegetables and fruits as the priority. Many people have fallen in love with this method of shopping. One woman even commented that she spent $47 at Whole Foods shopping for a family of four!

screenshot of instagram video of chef Will Coleman, inventor the 6 to 1 grocery shopping method, shopping for groceries.
Chef Will Coleman, inventory of the viral 6-to-1 grocery shopping method goes through the process in this Instagram reel.

The 6-to-1 Shopping Method is Flexible

Coleman himself says the 6-to-1 shopping is not rigid. It’s a foundation for healthy eating and intentional shopping. Importantly, you can shop with this method for families of all sizes. If you want to grab more of a certain item, do that. Need a smaller size because it’s just you at home? Perfect! If you have a larger family, buy larger packages.

Furthermore, there is leeway within the categories. For example, vegetables and fruits do not have to be fresh. Frozen definitely work. If you utilize food pantry services, the Storehouse provides canned fruits and vegetables. Those count toward your number, too. Don’t want to buy a bunch of fruit, but need more vegetables for the week? Things like tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash (anything that has a seed) can count here. Maybe you need more fruit instead. Don’t be afraid to have fruits count toward your vegetables.

Protein does not have to be only meat. It’s an expensive item for many families. Instead, think of items like yogurt, eggs, beans and lentils (canned or dried). Cheese and other dairy can also count toward your proteins.

Finally, if you really want more than one fun item for yourself, don’t feel guilty. In fact, Coleman himself says he often gets five or six fun items. However, with this method, he still has been able to cut down on wasted food and save money.

Beans, a whole chicken, a pack of bacon, and beef for stew in a cart. The 6-to-1 grocery shopping method allows for 4 proteins.
Pinto beans as a protein is an excellent example of how the 6-to-1 shopping method allows flexibility.

Tips for Shopping with the 6-to-1 Method:

  • Think outside of the box. Consider how different foods work together in the meals you and your family enjoy.
  • If you’re a beginner cook, draw inspiration from chefs and recipes.
  • Think about variety. This is an excellent way to try new foods and recipes.
  • Be adaptable. Something that may be on sale or a good deal may not be what you intended to buy, but could change what you have planned for the week.
  • Don’t force yourself to buy a certain number of items if you don’t need that many or don’t have the funds. For example, if you only need two proteins for the week, don’t buy four.
  • Pick versatile items you can use in more than one way. For example, bacon is great for breakfast, but leftover crumbles are good on salads or baked beans, too.
A cart full of grocery items demonstrating the 6-to-1 shopping method.
The 6-to-1 shopping method is a great way to plan meals around foods you enjoy and to try a few new things. Versatile ingredients are key.

To Save More, You Can Get Some of Your Groceries from The Storehouse

The Storehouse strives to help families eat healthy and balanced meals. Though there can be a misconception that food pantries only provide canned foods, that is not true. The Storehouse provides a wide variety of foods to clients. In fact, the pantry regularly provides fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products. Of course there are shelf stable food options provided, as well.

If Storehouse clients want to try the 6-to-1 shopping method, they can include items provided to them through the food pantry. The Storehouse is open to hand out free groceries Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 AM to 12 noon. After picking up food and seeing what options are provided, the shopping list for purchases might be covered or close to it. The rest of the month, the 6-to-1 method can help with saving money between pantry visits.