The Radfords reveals how they feed their family of 22 for as little as 30p per person

Feeding a family of four can be expensive and tricky at times, but if you think that’s hard the Radford’s – a family of 22 from Lancashire – have revealed their tips to ‘cook on a budget’.

Posting videos on their YouTube, the Radfords reveal just exactly how they manage to feed a family of 22, with some meals costing as little as 30p. 

Parents, Sue (45) and Noel (49), support their family with their bakery business The Radford Pie Company, and explain that all kids get the same meal and are not ‘fussy eaters’.

Sue told Closer: “We don’t really have any fussy eaters, we cook one evening meal and they have to eat what’s in front of them.

“We are lucky that we don’t have fussy eaters because there’s no way we would be messing about cooking two, three meals of an evening.”

To keep food prices down, Sue explains that the trick is to plan ahead and buy in bulk where you can.

She added: “We buy in bulk things like wash powder, toilet rolls and we shop about for things and see what’s on offer. It’s all about planning and being savvy.

“I just go out and do a shop every day which saves me a lot of money. We also buy things from our local veg man, and we use our local butcher as well because we find it’s a lot cheaper.”

Noel often shares meal tips on Youtube, showing how he whips up giant stews and bakes for as little as 30p a person. 

Speaking on one video, where he is making a ham and potato bake, Noel said: “What we are going to make today is a very simple potato bake. It can be a vegetarian one if you want it to be, I’ve got a bit of gammon leftover from the weekend.”

Sue also explains she gets bargains online, saying: “We always shop around for the best deals online.

“It’s worth making sure you get the best deals on your utilities and take advantage of voucher deals where you can.”

The Radford’s also say pasta helps stretch meals further. Noel spoke to the Mail: “We love pasta and we’ll use up three 500g bags per meal. Or we’ll have a big chicken stew or pork chops. With such a big family you have to be savvy and shop around.

“Our shopping bill is around £250 a week, but we’re pretty lucky to get good deals through a butcher whom we use in the bakery and a local veg delivery man.

“We’ll get through two big bags of apples a day, eight bananas and a bag of oranges.”

On trips out, Sue explains that they will avoid pricey restaurants and instead take packed lunches. She said: “We make up loads of sandwiches and just take a packed lunch with us because if we eat out anywhere it can be really pricey.”