By Dorene Mills, Hannaford Supermarkets Chef

Back-to-school season brings busier calendars, tighter routines and more decisions — all while families are looking for ways to stretch their grocery budgets. Getting fresh, nutritious meals on the table doesn't have to take hours in the kitchen or require going over budget on your weekly shop.

As a mom of two, here are a few of my favorite tips to simplify your meal planning, so eating well on busy weeknights is both easy and affordable.

1. Stretch one protein across multiple meals

A simple way to stretch your budget and simplify meal planning is to choose a versatile protein that can serve as the foundation for several dinners.

For example, proteins such as chicken, turkey, eggs, beans and lentils serve as blank canvases for different flavor profiles. Plus, they can easily adapt to tacos, pasta dishes, sandwiches and meal-prep bowls. Once you've picked your proteins, pair them with affordable vegetables, grains or legumes to create satisfying, delicious meals for the whole family throughout the week.

2. Prioritize purchasing store brand products

Did you know that store brand products typically cost 25-30% less than their name brand counterparts? By choosing store brand products, you can save on everyday staples and pantry essentials without compromising on quality.

The next time you shop, be sure to keep an eye out for the wide selection of Hannaford brand items throughout the store. They all deliver national brand quality at affordable prices, guaranteed. Focus on small, strategic swaps throughout the cart that can create meaningful savings without changing the overall meal, like pasta, rice, canned goods, dairy products and frozen foods.

Savings secret: When you sign up for My Hannaford Rewards, you'll earn rewards on all store brand purchases and get personalized coupons to use on your next shop. It's easy!

3. Shop your kitchen first and weekly sales second

Have you ever bought another can of black beans only to find that you already had four cans tucked in the back corner of your pantry? You can avoid unnecessary purchases like this by checking your refrigerator, freezer and pantry before making a grocery list.

Once you know what items you really need, look for sales on versatile ingredients and plan how each purchase will be used to cut down on food waste and get more value from every grocery trip.

Savings secret: You can make shopping for deals easier by using Hannaford.com or the Hannaford app. From home or the office, you can browse weekly sales and clip digital coupons ahead of your next shop. You can also use Hannaford To Go to build your cart around the best offers and schedule a convenient pickup time that fits into your busy schedule. Using the past purchases feature can also create budget consistency week over week.

4. Use time savers and convenience foods strategically

Don't overlook ready-made meals and foods! Convenience foods are great budget tools that can help prevent those more expensive last-minute takeout orders. Plus, balancing convenient items like ready-to-heat chicken potpie or a ready-to-cook stir-fry kit with affordable staples already at home can help keep the overall meal cost manageable and save time.

5. Plan portions to reduce food waste

Food waste is a sneaky drain on your grocery budget. The good news is that there are some ways you can reduce waste and keep more money in your pocket.

First, consider how many people each meal needs to serve before purchasing ingredients or deciding how much to prepare. Knowing the portion size for each meal can keep you from overspending and throwing out uneaten food.

Next, freeze extra proteins, produce and prepared foods before they spoil. Make sure to divide them into meal-size portions for future use, so you know exactly how many people you can feed and speed up meal prep.

Finally, give leftovers a specific role in the weekly meal plan. Whether they become lunch the next day or are transformed into a different dinner, it's a delicious and simple way to prevent food waste.

Get the most value out of every grocery trip

Remember, affordability isn't necessarily about buying the cheapest thing, and it doesn't require sacrificing flavor, nutrition or convenience either. By planning ahead, making thoughtful substitutions and choosing ingredients that can work across several meals, families can spend more intentionally and approach busy school nights with greater confidence. For more shopping tips and affordable meal solutions, visit Hannaford.com.