Food is expensive. If you've been to a grocery store lately you probably know that.

In February, grocery prices in the United States rose 2.3 percent, the highest monthly increase since May 2009, the federal government reported last week.

To help consumers get the most from their grocery budgets -- especially for fruits and vegetables -- the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these tips:

1. Don't Overspend: Iowa State University Extension has a calculator to help families establish a food budget based on the USDA's low-cost food plan. The calculator asks about the number of people in the home, their ages and genders and the number of times per week they eat out. It then gives you a weekly and monthly estimate for how much your household should spend on groceries.

2. Cook & Store: Prepare enough for several meals and freeze leftovers. Place enough food for 1-2 meals in each container. Label your stored food with the contents and preparation date.

3. Make a Meal Plan: Find recipes that use similar fruits and vegetables in different ways. There are many quick and simple meals you can prepare at home.

4. Be Seasonal: Buy fruits and vegetables in season at farmers’ markets or at your local grocery store.

5. Do It Yourself: Invest a little in seeds and grow your own vegetables. Try indoor pots or greenhouse growing for the cooler months. You can also save on pre-bottled juices by mixing your own 100 percent juice from frozen concentrate. Pre-cut produce can be expensive. Buy whole fruits and vegetables and cut them yourself.

6. Minimize Waste: Buy only the amounts your family will eat. When trying new fruits and vegetables, buy in small amounts and taste test.

7. Make a Big Batch: Homemade soup is a healthy and tasty way to use vegetables. Freeze leftovers in small, lunch-size containers.

8. Don’t shop hungry: Eat a healthy snack, such as an apple, before going to the grocery store. It will help you stick to your budget by avoiding spending money on impulse purchases.

9. Maximize Your Time and Money: When using coupons, clip only those for foods that are on your grocery list.

10. Can it: Canned fruits and vegetables last a long time and are a healthy addition to a variety of meals. Choose canned vegetables that have no added salt and fruit that is canned in 100 percent fruit juice.

11. Freeze: Frozen fruit and vegetables store well and are often less expensive than fresh produce. Buy frozen fruits and vegetables in large bags and avoid those with added sugar, salt or sauce.

12. Be Picky: Late summer and early fall are great times to pick your own fruits and vegetables. This can be a fun and less-expensive way to buy in bulk and freeze, can or dry for later.

13. Get Bulky: Items such as dried fruit, which lasts for a long time, can be expensive. Buy in bulk with friends and share the cost. Buying in larger amounts is less expensive than purchasing many small packages or single servings.

14. Keep it Simple: Buy dried beans, peas and lentils in their raw or uncooked form instead of the processed and packaged versions, which cost more.

15. Buy for less: Shop at discount grocery stores for good deals on fruits and vegetables, especially canned items. Also, shop at large grocery stores instead of small convenience stores when possible. There is more choice and the produce is often less expensive.

16. Get creative: Use leftover fruits and vegetables for other dishes. Make salsa from your tomatoes and smoothies from your fruits! Visit www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov to learn how. Try something new. Use fruits for dessert. Try baking apples or poaching pears with some cinnamon. Search online for new recipes or click here for more information.

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