Ken Knight said he's taking fewer trips to the grocery store and taking matters into his own hands.

"I plant cabbage, broccoli, and early English peas to save money on groceries," Knight said.

Pittsboro Feed Owner Christine Miller said Knight is just one of their many customers who are now growing gardens and even raising chickens for food. More people are growing their own food instead of heading to buy high-priced groceries, she said.

"If anyone has been to the stores lately, the only sales you're going to find on tomatoes is a dollar a pound. If you get 10 pounds of tomatoes off four plants it will run you about $1.50," Miller said.

Knight said he makes his food last.

"We use this year-round because we can," he said. "The food so it's a yearly investment."

Knight said he's seeing more of his friends planting gardens to get some relief from the challenging economy.

Kevin Flynn and his family, said they are not farmers, but invested in chickens anyway to get omelets the way they like them without the high costs.

"We would normally buy organic free-range eggs, which are in the pricier category," Flynn said.

Customers also said that the garden fresh vegetables last longer than when they are bought from the store, which is another money saver.

But customers at Pittsboro Feed agree it's not only about growing their own food and saving money, but also changing their way of life in this tough economy.

"People are getting back to the basics. They don't want to deal with the high prices as grocery stores," Miller said.

Flynn said they are taking part in the small joys of life.
"It's a real treat, not only for my daughter, but for her friends when they come over. We pick eggs then we eat them for breakfast in the morning," Flynn said.