Food on the block

Move over hunters and gatherers, and make way for those with the numbered paddles. According to the Associated Press, grocery auctions are gaining in popularity as an easy way to cut costs. The sales operate like regular auctions, but with bidders vying for dry goods and frozen foods instead of antiques and collectibles. Some auctioneers even accept food stamps. 

One story I read in the Baltimore Sun about a week ago on using up your pantry staples was interesting on its face, but when I called it up, I realized the only item on the list that had ever gone bad on me was tahini. (There's only so much hummus and tahini dressing two people can use, even if you throw parties regularly.) Here's the rest of the list; for suggestions on how to use them up before they go bad, click here.

Bananas - Capers - Carrots - Celery - Chipotles in adobo sauce - Cilantro - Cilantro - Coconut milk -Cottage cheese -  Egg whites - Egg yolks - Garlic - Mayonnaise - Oranges - Pumpkins - Ricotta cheese - Romaine lettuce - Scallions - Sour cream - Tahini - Tomato paste

Photograph: Auctioneer Kirk Williams calls out to costumers during a grocery auction in Dallas, Pa., earlier this month. As consumers seek relief from the recession and spiraling food prices, grocery auctions are gaining in popularity as an easy way to cut costs. (Matt Rourke / The Associated Press)