Bryan M. Vance

I'm Bryan, a journalist and digital strategist based in wet and wonderful Portland, Oregon. I'm also the founder of Stumptown Savings and the Feed Your Curiosity newsletter.

How a Portland Musician Uses a CSA and Double Up Food Bucks to Eat Well on $75 a Week

Oct 14, 2025

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9 min read

How a Portland Musician Uses a CSA and Double Up Food Bucks to Eat Well on $75 a Week

A Portland musician and editor shares his grocery diary, shopping philosophy, and tips for using a CSA with Oregon’s Double Up Food Bucks program to stay on a $75 weekly budget.

Portland Grocery Deals (Oct. 9-14): Apple Season Is Here!

Oct 9, 2025

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15 min read

Portland Grocery Deals (Oct. 9-14): Apple Season Is Here!

Chuck’s and Roth’s are celebrating peak apple season with a wide selection of locally grown apples are great prices. Also, there’s an Apple Fest in Portland this weekend.

The Ultimate Portland Pumpkin Patch Guide: 25+ Farms for Fall Family Fun

Oct 7, 2025

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13 min read

The Ultimate Portland Pumpkin Patch Guide: 25+ Farms for Fall Family Fun

With over 25 farms in the metro area, finding the perfect pumpkin patch can be overwhelming. Our guide breaks down the best spots by price, location, and experience, from Sauvie Island's iconic farms to Washington County's hidden gems.

Portland Grocery Deals (Oct. 1-7): BOGO Chicken, 79¢ Avocados & Peppers + 3 Easy Meal Ideas

Oct 2, 2025

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12 min read

Portland Grocery Deals (Oct. 1-7): BOGO Chicken, 79¢ Avocados & Peppers + 3 Easy Meal Ideas

Your weekly guide to Portland grocery savings is here! This week, find deals on BOGO chicken breasts at QFC, 79¢ avocados and bell peppers at Albertsons/Safeway, and BOGO pork tenderloins at Fred Meyer.

The Ultimate Guide to Portland Food & Drink Events in October 2025

Oct 1, 2025

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19 min read

The Ultimate Guide to Portland Food & Drink Events in October 2025

Whether you're looking to pick the perfect pumpkin, sip on fresh-hop ales, or learn a new kitchen skill, this is your guide to the best food-centric and fun-filled events happening around Portland month long.

How a Vegetarian South Tabor Food Chemist Enjoys Portland’s Bounty

Sep 30, 2025

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14 min read

How a Vegetarian South Tabor Food Chemist Enjoys Portland’s Bounty

From picking peaches in Hood River, to cooking up an impressive vegan meatloaf and a beautiful gratin, a South Tabor food chemist shares his strategy for delicious, adaptable cooking.

Portland Grocery Deals (Sept. 24-30): 99¢/lb. Turkey, BOGO Steaks + A $17 Pork Ragù Meal Deal

Sep 25, 2025

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11 min read

Portland Grocery Deals (Sept. 24-30): 99¢/lb. Turkey, BOGO Steaks + A $17 Pork Ragù Meal Deal

Your weekly guide to Portland grocery savings (Sept. 24-30) features deals on coffee, frozen turkey breasts for 99¢/lb., BOGO New York strip steaks, and local pumpkins for just 39¢/lb. Plus, a comforting pork and mushroom ragù dinner for 4 for under $17.

The Ultimate Guide to the Pacific Northwest's Fall Harvest

Sep 24, 2025

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1 min read

The Ultimate Guide to the Pacific Northwest's Fall Harvest

From crisp apples and sweet winter squash to wild chanterelles, here’s what to find, cook, and preserve this fall.

What a $49,000 Grocery Bill Looks Like: Inside a Week at Meals on Wheels People

Sep 23, 2025

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14 min read

What a $49,000 Grocery Bill Looks Like: Inside a Week at Meals on Wheels People

Your weekly grocery run might have a cart. Theirs requires box trucks and a forklift. We go inside the massive Meals on Wheels People operation that turns a $49,000 budget into 29,000 meals for Portland-area seniors.

Portland Grocery Deals (Sept. 17-23): Big Seafood & Coffee Sales, + An $18 Fish Taco Dinner For 4

Sep 18, 2025

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11 min read

Portland Grocery Deals (Sept. 17-23): Big Seafood & Coffee Sales, + An $18 Fish Taco Dinner For 4

Your weekly guide to navigating Portland, Oregon, grocery deals (Sept. 17-23) is here, featuring a quick and flavorful blackened rockfish taco dinner you can make for about $4.50 per person.

Sep 16, 2025

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3 min read

The Sister-Store Shock: How Brand Loyalty Is Costing You At the Grocery Store

My 16-store investigation found QFC charges a 26% premium, on average, over its corporate sibling, Fred Meyer. But that's not all I found. Here's the breakdown of where you're overpaying.

Portland Grocery Prices Hold Steady in August, But Key Items See Big Swings

Sep 11, 2025

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5 min read

Portland Grocery Prices Hold Steady in August, But Key Items See Big Swings

The latest CPI data for the West Region shows grocery prices were flat in August, a stark contrast to the national spike. But under the surface, prices for produce and meat continued to climb while dairy costs fell. Here’s the local breakdown.

Portland Grocery Deals (Sept. 10-16): BOGO Chicken Thighs, Pear & Apple Season Is Here + A $10 Sheet Pan Dinner

Sep 11, 2025

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11 min read

Portland Grocery Deals (Sept. 10-16): BOGO Chicken Thighs, Pear & Apple Season Is Here + A $10 Sheet Pan Dinner

Your weekly guide to navigating Portland, Oregon, grocery deals (Sept. 10-16, 2025), plus a simple and delicious sheet pan chicken dinner you can make for about $2.50 per person.

How a Portland Foodie Balances a Backyard Garden, Online Groceries, and a $300/Week Budget

Sep 9, 2025

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9 min read

How a Portland Foodie Balances a Backyard Garden, Online Groceries, and a $300/Week Budget

Nathalie, co-owner of PDX Pipeline, walks through a week of ambitious home cooking, hosting a BBQ, and using online grocery delivery to stick to her budget in Foster/Powell.

Portland Grocery Deals (Sept. 3-9): Grapes for 98¢/lb, BOGO Pork Chops + A $13 Meal Deal

Sep 4, 2025

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12 min read

Portland Grocery Deals (Sept. 3-9): Grapes for 98¢/lb, BOGO Pork Chops + A $13 Meal Deal

Your weekly guide to Portland grocery savings (Sept. 3-9): Score seedless grapes for 98¢/lb, buy-one-get-one-free pork chops, and chicken breasts for $1.88/lb. Plus, a fall−inspired grilled pork chop and spiced apple dinner for 4 for under $14.

Tofu, Taco Bell, and 60-Mile Weeks: How a Vegan Portland Runner Fuels Up

Sep 2, 2025

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12 min read

Tofu, Taco Bell, and 60-Mile Weeks: How a Vegan Portland Runner Fuels Up

Bradley, a long-distance runner and newsletter writer at OPB, shares his $150/week grocery strategy, his love for routine, and why Taco Bell is a vegan athlete’s secret weapon.

Portland Grocery Deals (Aug. 27-Sept. 2): Labor Day BBQ Deals + $20 Burger Feast

Aug 28, 2025

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13 min read

Portland Grocery Deals (Aug. 27-Sept. 2): Labor Day BBQ Deals + $20 Burger Feast

Score deals on grilling essentials for Labor Day weekend, plus exclusive Savers Club chicken deals and a crowd-pleasing turkey burger meal for under $5 per person.

Farming In Portland’s South Waterfront, Nexgarden Grows Microgreens Indoors

Aug 27, 2025

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10 min read

Farming In Portland’s South Waterfront, Nexgarden Grows Microgreens Indoors

How a psychology graduate transformed a shipping container in South Waterfront into a thriving hydroponic microgreens operation that's reshaping urban agriculture.

A Portland Web Developer Shares His $120/Week Grocery Strategy for Eating Gluten-Free Without a Car

Aug 26, 2025

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10 min read

A Portland Web Developer Shares His $120/Week Grocery Strategy for Eating Gluten-Free Without a Car

From stocking up on Kind bars at Grocery Outlet to his go-to Instant Pot meal, a NE Portland web developer shows us how he eats well while sticking to a grocery budget.

Portland Grocery Deals (Aug. 20-26): 99¢/lb. Whole Chickens, Ice Cream Up To 50% Off + A Tri-Tip Sandwich Meal Deal

Aug 21, 2025

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12 min read

Portland Grocery Deals (Aug. 20-26): 99¢/lb. Whole Chickens, Ice Cream Up To 50% Off + A Tri-Tip Sandwich Meal Deal

Your weekly guide to navigating Portland grocery deals (Aug. 20-25, 2025), plus news on how new tariffs will impact your bill and a splurge-worthy tri-tip sandwich meal deal.

The Great Portland Grocery Store Doughnut Showdown

Aug 19, 2025

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11 min read

The Great Portland Grocery Store Doughnut Showdown

Which Portland-area supermarket makes the best doughnut? We tasted them all to find the surprising champion.

Portland Grocery Deals (Aug. 13-19): Grapes for 99¢/lb, Sweet Corn for 25¢/ear + a New Store Opens

Aug 14, 2025

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11 min read

Portland Grocery Deals (Aug. 13-19): Grapes for 99¢/lb, Sweet Corn for 25¢/ear + a New Store Opens

Your guide to the best deals: Buy-one-get-one-free beef roasts and chicken, 50% off ice cream and peaches, plus corn for 25¢/ear.

How to Save Big at WinCo: A Strategic Guide for Portland Shoppers

Aug 13, 2025

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9 min read

How to Save Big at WinCo: A Strategic Guide for Portland Shoppers

Learn the secrets behind WinCo’s low prices and how a little strategy can significantly cut your grocery costs week after week.

How a Clark County Mom Feeds Her Family With a $250 Grocery Budget and a Backyard Garden

Aug 12, 2025

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14 min read

How a Clark County Mom Feeds Her Family With a $250 Grocery Budget and a Backyard Garden

From gluten-free finds to on-the-go car snacks from New Seasons, a Clark County podcaster gives us a look inside her detailed strategy for feeding a busy family of three.

Portland Grocery Deals (Aug. 6-12): Deals on Local Peaches, Tomatoes, and Sweet Corn

Aug 7, 2025

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12 min read

Portland Grocery Deals (Aug. 6-12): Deals on Local Peaches, Tomatoes, and Sweet Corn

Plus, whole fryer chickens for $1.99/lb, half-price ice cream sandwiches, and potatoes for 30 cents/lb.

Bryan M. Vance

How a Portland Musician Uses a CSA and Double Up Food Bucks to Eat Well on $75 a Week

Portland Grocery Deals (Oct. 9-14): Apple Season Is Here!

The Ultimate Portland Pumpkin Patch Guide: 25+ Farms for Fall Family Fun

Portland Grocery Deals (Oct. 1-7): BOGO Chicken, 79¢ Avocados & Peppers + 3 Easy Meal Ideas

The Ultimate Guide to Portland Food & Drink Events in October 2025

How a Vegetarian South Tabor Food Chemist Enjoys Portland’s Bounty

Portland Grocery Deals (Sept. 24-30): 99¢/lb. Turkey, BOGO Steaks + A $17 Pork Ragù Meal Deal

The Ultimate Guide to the Pacific Northwest's Fall Harvest

What a $49,000 Grocery Bill Looks Like: Inside a Week at Meals on Wheels People

Portland Grocery Deals (Sept. 17-23): Big Seafood & Coffee Sales, + An $18 Fish Taco Dinner For 4

The Sister-Store Shock: How Brand Loyalty Is Costing You At the Grocery Store

Portland Grocery Prices Hold Steady in August, But Key Items See Big Swings

Portland Grocery Deals (Sept. 10-16): BOGO Chicken Thighs, Pear & Apple Season Is Here + A $10 Sheet Pan Dinner

How a Portland Foodie Balances a Backyard Garden, Online Groceries, and a $300/Week Budget

Portland Grocery Deals (Sept. 3-9): Grapes for 98¢/lb, BOGO Pork Chops + A $13 Meal Deal

Tofu, Taco Bell, and 60-Mile Weeks: How a Vegan Portland Runner Fuels Up

Portland Grocery Deals (Aug. 27-Sept. 2): Labor Day BBQ Deals + $20 Burger Feast

Farming In Portland’s South Waterfront, Nexgarden Grows Microgreens Indoors

A Portland Web Developer Shares His $120/Week Grocery Strategy for Eating Gluten-Free Without a Car

Portland Grocery Deals (Aug. 20-26): 99¢/lb. Whole Chickens, Ice Cream Up To 50% Off + A Tri-Tip Sandwich Meal Deal

The Great Portland Grocery Store Doughnut Showdown

Portland Grocery Deals (Aug. 13-19): Grapes for 99¢/lb, Sweet Corn for 25¢/ear + a New Store Opens

How to Save Big at WinCo: A Strategic Guide for Portland Shoppers

How a Clark County Mom Feeds Her Family With a $250 Grocery Budget and a Backyard Garden

Portland Grocery Deals (Aug. 6-12): Deals on Local Peaches, Tomatoes, and Sweet Corn

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