Food Stamp Challenge

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2009
Food Stamp Challenge
41
Wed, 04-15-2009 - 5:06pm
Some friends and I signed up for United Way's food stamp challenge. The rule is you have to feed yourself for $7 dollars a day. Since I have quite a bit staples at home (rice, flour, pasta, canned tomatoes, beans, etc.), I am going to limit myself to $5 dollars a day and see how it works. It will be interesting to see if it is still possible to stick to my vegetarian, mostly organic diet. If nothing else, I will save on grocery money! ;-)
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2009
Thu, 04-16-2009 - 10:25am

http://www.epicurious.com/tools/searchresults?type=food&search=easy%20breakfast%20frittata

And it does not have to elaborate, just saute some sliced veggies (or heat up leftovers) in an ovenproof frying pan, pour in a few beaten eggs, cook over low heat for a while, finish it off in the oven/under a broiler. Great for brunch, picnics, etc.




Edited 4/16/2009 10:41 am ET by marie_1229
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
Thu, 04-16-2009 - 10:29am

$7/person/day is more than my weekly grocery budget by far. We budget $120/week for family of four...which is more like $4.50/day/person.

Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Thu, 04-16-2009 - 10:34am
Thanks! There are several different types in my meal plan and I had no CLUE what they were. They look tasty!!! I think I will experiment!

Bex -


"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift -thats why its called the present."


Bex -

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Thu, 04-16-2009 - 11:42am

Yes, Heather, I was thinking the same thing - I wish I had $7 per day per person, that would be: $840 a month.




iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2009
Thu, 04-16-2009 - 11:55am

As I mentioned earlier,

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2003
Thu, 04-16-2009 - 12:00pm
Is that $7/day for food with the restrictions placed on food stamp purchases or does your budget include non-food items such as toiletries, soap, pet food, batteries, tin foil, the occasional sponge, roll of toilet paper
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
Thu, 04-16-2009 - 12:15pm

Most weeks, I take out $130 to cover everything...pet food, litter, household, etc. If I were eligible for food stamps, I assume that would mean that I would also not be working full time, and that would make my food budget even LESS, as I would be home and be able to cook from scratch a lot more. I buy a lot of convenience foods which I would just not buy if I didn't have to pack lunches everyday and could make something quick at home. (lunch meat is expensive. Bread is expensive, too) A can of soup and some homemade rolls would be much cheaper!

I really should work on trimming my grocery budget anyhow.

Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Thu, 04-16-2009 - 12:39pm

Well that would be $660 a month, and about what we spend.




iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2003
Thu, 04-16-2009 - 12:57pm
Yes, if you limited $120 per week
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Thu, 04-16-2009 - 1:25pm

I do think one important thing, make that 2 important things that need to be taught in schools.....nutrition AND cooking and not just for the girls!!