With a budget of $160, a family from the South Shore of Montreal managed to put together a menu for 30 people in anticipation of Sunday’s Super Bowl. It’s a real feat when inflation is being felt at the grocery store.
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Mathieu Bédard and his wife, Michelle Tardif, will welcome around fifteen adults and as many children to their home in Verchères for the last game of the NFL season. For them, it is a tradition from which they will not deviate even if prices in food markets are hit by increases on a regular basis.
“At the beginning, I made our purchases a week in advance,” explains Mathieu Bédard. For the past two or three years, I have been preparing my list of dishes and shopping in advance.
“Then, from year to year, I’m able to see what’s popular and what’s not so popular.”
The small bites will be placed in this small stadium designed for the Super Bowl.
Photo provided by Mathieu Bédard
Mathieu and Michelle have been organizing this party for seven years. They found some tips to avoid budget overruns and food waste.
“For example, I make balls with turkey and hot sauce,” he says. I’m going to take our leftover Christmas turkey that we froze and make my own dough.”
Over the years, their Super Bowl plan has been applied to other special occasions.
“We repeat the same strategy for our sugar shack dinner with our family in March. We are looking at the specials starting at the end of December,” adds the researcher.
Wings at a good price
For those who haven’t yet made their purchases for the finale between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, it’s not too late.
There are still ways to purchase certain products at an affordable cost. This is the case with chicken wings.
“It’s at this time of year that we see the best prices. It’s a product that is really popular, indicates Jean-François Gagné Bérubé of the Glouton site. They will often be sold below cost to attract people. This is particularly the case during the last days before the Super Bowl.
These deals follow an even bigger trend.
“Since the beginning, we have noticed a drop in prices for chicken in general,” analyzes the flyer analysis expert.
When you notice the specials for chicken wings, it is possible to find reasonable prices for a quantity of 550 grams. This year, we were able to see wings at a cost of $6.69 at Maxi.
As for other merchants like IGA, Métro and Super C, the lowest price was set at $7.77.
“Provigo isn’t really in the running ($12.99). They are close to the regular price, but they will recover on fresh wings,” he specifies.
Products difficult to analyze
As for the other products that will appear in the buffets of different parties, they are more difficult to analyze.
“In terms of chips, it is one of the most difficult categories to evaluate both in terms of price and format. This may change several times per year.
“It’s the same for soft drinks, confectionery and candy.”
Economical Super Bowl menu from Mathieu Bédard
- 5 boxes of La Cage wings of 1.8 kg: $18.99 (special at Costco): $95
- Macaroni and cheese: cheese (2 x $3.99) + macaroni ($1): $9
- Hamburgers (breads and meat): $29
- Sausages in dough: $6.99
- Breaded chicken bites: $7.99
- Deviled eggs: $2.99
- Macaroni salad: $1
- Raw vegetables: $3
- Nachos/Chips: $6
- Mini turkey balls with hot sauce: $0 (leftover Christmas turkey, homemade dough and a little sauce)
Total before taxes: $160.97
Chicken Wing Specials Over the Years
2024
- IGA: $7.77 (various brands)
- Metro: $7.77 (La Cage, Selection)
- Provigo: $12.99 (La Cage)
- Super C: $7.77 (La Cage)
- Maxi: $6.96 (unknown brand)
- Walmart: $4.96 (Express Deli)
2023
- IGA: $7.77 (Flamingo)
- Metro: $7.77 (La Cage)
- Provigo: $9.99 (Flamingo)
- Super C: $7.77 (La Cage)
- Maxi: $7.99 (Flamingo)
- Walmart: $6.97 (Flamingo)
2022
- IGA: $7.99 (La Cage)
- Metro: $6.99 (La Cage)
- Provingo: $11.99 (Flamingo)
- Super C: $6.99 (La Cage)
- Max: $6.97 (Flamingo)
- Walmart: $6.97 (Flamingo)