Most families visit grocery stores several times a month to replace ingredients, purchase snacks, and stock up on everyday household food. But one mother decided to approach shopping differently by challenging her family to go an entire year without buying groceries from traditional grocery stores.
Ashley Mann, a 40-year-old mother of two from Spokane, Washington, began the experiment earlier in 2026. What started as an attempt to prepare more food at home eventually became a much bigger lifestyle change.
In an interview with PEOPLE published on November 6, Mann explained how the experience changed the way her family planned meals, purchased food, and thought about waste.
The experiment also encouraged her children to become more involved in understanding where their food comes from.
Although her family’s approach may not be practical for everyone, the experience offers an interesting look at meal planning, food preservation, and household routines.
How the Family Decided to Stop Grocery Shopping
Mann’s decision began with a desire to prepare more things at home.
She had become interested in food preservation and self-sustainability after taking a class and learning from a local homesteader.
At first, she considered avoiding grocery shopping for just one month. However, she eventually wondered whether her family could manage a much longer challenge.
She discussed the idea with her husband, Gavin, and they agreed to attempt a full year without traditional grocery shopping.
Before beginning the experiment, Mann described herself as someone who frequently ordered groceries for home delivery.
The change meant that she could no longer depend on having any ingredient delivered whenever she wanted it.
Instead, she had to plan meals further ahead and become more intentional about the food available in the house.
Buying in Bulk and Preserving Food Became Part of the Routine
One of the biggest adjustments involved changing how the family obtained and stored food.
According to PEOPLE, Mann purchased half a cow from a local rancher and stored individual portions in her freezer.
She also began preserving fruits and vegetables through canning, giving the family supplies that could be used during the colder months.
Shopping at local farm stands became another important part of the routine.
Rather than choosing from everything available in a supermarket, the family increasingly planned meals around locally available, in-season produce.
They also started growing some vegetables at home, including carrots, onions, lettuce, and broccoli.
These changes required more preparation than simply placing an online grocery order. However, they developed a different relationship with the food they ate.
Instead of shopping whenever something was missing, Mann had to consider what was already available and how different ingredients could be used across several meals.
The Family Became More Conscious of Food Waste
One unexpected lesson from the experiment was how much food the family had previously wasted.
Mann told PEOPLE that preparing more food herself made her appreciate the effort that goes into making meals.
She became more reluctant to throw away leftovers or food that could still be stored and used later.
For example, instead of immediately discarding extra homemade food, she began looking for ways to preserve it or freeze it for another meal.
This change highlights a problem many households encounter: buying food without having a clear plan for when or how it will be used.
A family may purchase several ingredients because they look useful at the supermarket, only to forget about them once they get home.
Meal planning and tracking available ingredients can help reduce that problem.
Her Children Also Became Part of the Experience
Mann initially expected getting her children accustomed to the new routine to be one of the most difficult parts of the experiment.
However, she told PEOPLE that her children adapted enthusiastically.
The family began involving them in learning about food production and the work required to grow and prepare ingredients.
Growing vegetables at home also gave the children an opportunity to see how food develops before it reaches the kitchen.
Rather than viewing food as something that appears in a supermarket or delivery bag, they could observe the effort involved in producing it.
For parents, this can be an interesting way to introduce children to everyday household responsibilities.
Simple activities such as watering a garden, washing vegetables, arranging groceries, or planning a family meal can involve children more in daily routines.
Does Every Family Need to Stop Grocery Shopping?
Mann’s experiment is unusual, and most households can’t reproduce it exactly.
Access to land, freezers, local farms, food preservation equipment, and time can affect whether a similar arrangement is practical.
Families also have different schedules, budgets and food preferences.
However, the main lessons do not require anyone to give up supermarket shopping.
Households can start with smaller changes, such as planning meals before shopping, checking the pantry before buying more ingredients, and using leftovers creatively.
Another option is to purchase seasonal produce when it is available locally.
Families with enough space and interest can also consider growing a few vegetables at home.
These small habits can help people become more organized without making grocery shopping unnecessarily difficult.
What Other Families Can Learn From Her Experiment
Ashley Mann’s yearlong challenge shows how changing one household routine can influence several other parts of family life.
Her family became more intentional about meal planning, food storage, and reducing waste. Her children also gained opportunities to learn about growing and preparing food.
The experiment does not mean grocery stores are unnecessary or that every family should follow the same approach.
Instead, it reminds households that thoughtful changes can help them save food, improve organization, and get more involved in everyday meals.
For families looking to reduce unnecessary purchases, the first step may be much simpler than giving up grocery shopping: understand what is already in the kitchen before deciding what to buy next.
