I saw an article on a news site a week or so ago. Of course, I can't find it now. But it was talking about the average cost of feeding a family--the usual family of four. According to the folks at USDA, the average cost for feeding the family on the low cost plan as of January 2008, is $167.70! That's one week, and it's not the thrift plan that features macaroni on squishy white bread sandwiches.

We've calculated the cost of our groceries according to the USDA, and for our family it's $640 a week. I always enjoy those politicians who eat for a week or two on the thrift plan, and moan about how difficult it is. Course, those folks have nicely stocked kitchens, and probably a lot of fresh herbs to flavor their macaroni sandwiches.

We do well because we shop at a co-op, eat lots of veggies, grains, fruits, and the kid's aren't idle long enough to start scouting for junk food.

That's my bit on the government food plans...anyone else?

GG

We could eat SO GOOD on food stamps!

Heck, we could eat really good on their "budget" food plan, and that if we only spent enough for a family of 4! Except I'd never eat the foods they recommend!

Even eating specialty foods, we can eat on about half what they suggest for a family our size. And we're doing that in Wyoming - not the easiest place to shop on a budget, due to transportation of all foods. We can't grow much here.

We will certainly be planting a bigger garden this year though! Last year we did it on $20 worth of seeds, and about $20 in fertilizer. This year I think we shall have to double that.

Ever notice that the USDA "recommends" whole grains, but the school lunch plans are all approved with nothing but white, and their food plans for families all list the same old white macaroni and bread?

Laura
Mom to Eight

In high-cost Massachusetts, I spend an average of $250/week, for ELEVEN of us! (Of course, that number changes, as young adults move in and out of the house!) I go to Sam's for meats (which really consists of ground beef and boneless chicken breasts, and occasionally salmon) and produce, bulk dry goods, and stuff like dog and cat food + litter. We have a grocery store that has very good prices on basics like milk, wheat bread, yogurt, beans, and the ever-popular tortillas (and its right near Sam's). For other things, I watch for sales and then go buy in bulk. (For instance, white tuna was just $.68 a can (its usually around $1), so I bought 4 dozen cans. And eggs were $2/18 eggs this week, so I bought 6 dozen. I don't clip coupons - they are usually for high-priced convenience items. As far as snacks, we have fruit (they're big into smoothies right now, made with soy milk, oj, and fruit pieces that we've frozen), yogurt, graham crackers, etc. They know that things like chips and soda are for VERY special occasions. We don't have packaged cookies, either -- if they want cookies, they have to bake them.

I haven't had a GOOD garden in years, because my lot is shady and I haven't worked at it, but I want to try again this spring. And I want to go to the local farmer's market, too. I tried to get into a co-op farm last year, but the cost of gas to get there was going to wipe out the food savings!

For gardening in a shady place, look at crops that do well in the spring. Some things that will grow ok in the shade are:

lettuce
cabbage
broccoli
beets
peas
spinach

Sun lovers like tomatoes or melons aren't going to do well.

Laura
Mom to Eight

Unfortunately, we have no room for a garden, except for a few container plants--tomatoes, cukes, and herbs. In some places where we've lived, the local extension offic will rent out garden plots--tilled, fertilized, and with water at hand. I think the plots were 30x30'. Immigrant families would rent several--it was interesting to see what everyone planted.

We are lucky we have a local Community Supported Agriculture program here. We don't have to go to the farm--they deliver to a church a few blocks away. Each member can donate a few hours packing and boxing. Deliveries are once a week. The down side is you never know what to expect each week. On the positive side, you are introduced to new fruits and veggies. One year there was a bumper crop of
Thai peppers!

We've cut down on meat through the years and it's a good thing. Three chickens are a meal for us, with one piece per person (wings not included). Four lbs. of meat gives each a 4 oz. serving. We've got growing teens and hub is 6'4", 230 lbs, and has physically demanding job. We sometimes buy a half or whole beef--you can do better at the supermarket with price, but this way we can have it cut to our specs and we also get the bones, suet, heart, etc. We have 4 big dogs (bones, and the heart makes tasty dehydrated snacks). The kids use the suet to make bird cakes, which they sell at school craft fair.

GG

Ah... I'm more parsimonious with the meat. We get 5 lb rolls and divide them into 6 pieces. 1 piece is used for a meal for 5 people. I buy bison for myself (no hormones), and divide it into six pieces. Sometimes a soup will have to go for two meals.

We are growing alfalfa sprouts. They make a nice salad with a little dressing tossed on. No chemicals, fresh, and healthy. Cheap too - alfalfa see seems expensive, but you only need a couple of teaspoons to grow enough sprouts for about 4-6 fair sized salads.

Laura
Mom to Eight