Best foods to buy on a budget

I second the endorsement of Aldi - their veg is fab, all their dairy products esp the lower fat yogurts, cottage cheese and cream cheese are great. I also like their frozen veg as they have a good range and its much cheaper than other places. Chicken and meat tend to be very good value too.

I understand that Lidl is pretty good too if you have one, but mine is out of the way and Aldi is nearby so I don't know from personal experience.

I have also started to buy things like Crispbakes, crispbread and rice cakes in B&M bargains or Home Bargains. The dates are often short but they don't tend to hang around long if you eat them regularly - some people are more wound up by 'best before dates' than others anyway. They also can have good prices on eggs and some of the more regular food which might reduce the overall spend for your boyfriend's extras.

I make a lot of filling soups, veg curries, bean chilis and freeze the portions I don't need immediately. I find that helps keep costs down plus means there is always something to eat on those 'can't be bothered' nights.

My weekly budget is very tight so I base most of my buys around high protein

3lb bag of frozen chicken(6.99 at walmart)
2 in half dozen eggs(4.50 at walmart)
Canned tuna and chicken breast(4 cans for 3 bucks and canned chicken breast 1 each. Great value brand)
bananas(19 cents a piece at Trader Joe's)
Sandwich thins(papito 1.99 at walmart)
Strawberries (under 2bucks at Walmart)
Some form of green leaves(spinach or kale 1.99 at trader joe's)
Fage 0 and Trader Joe's plain yogurt 3.49 for fage and 2.79 for trader joe's ...23 grams of protein (fage) and 22 grams of protein TJ
Dried lentils and Green peas great value brand...walmart like.... a buck and some change I believe
Nonfat milk
Turkey breakfast sausage... my only true splurge at 3.99... my latest love.. lol
Avocados 70 cents a piece
Whole organic carrots from trader joe's under a buck.

Eggs and bag of chicken will usually last a few weeks as well as tuna as I try not to eat no more than two cans of tuna a week.

I will buy other things on sale like some red meat etc for tacos and such. My budget right now is 45 dollars a week.

Edit: Seen you are from the UK. Do not know if you have a Walmart or TJ out that way. But the food I mentioned above should be reasonably priced anywhere.

To be fair there are different types of Farmers Markets in the UK. Some are great loaded with fresh produce at reasonable prices, however some are expensive rare breed vanity places. Not everyone is lucky enough to get the former sadly.

But there are often market stalls in towns which can be great for veg and fruit.

Lemons are good. Fresh is best but frozen produce is priced better usually.
As well it won't spoil. :)If you have mark down places buying in bulk
some walnuts/almonds/rice/oats maybe?