Completely agree. In fact, I've done a lot of research on that for a book (set in Baltimore, a definite food desert, and with a crooked as hell political system as well).
"Hollywood Types" Take Food Stamp Challenge
- Thread starter not_nadine
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Neesy
#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
what is she trying to do? Shrink it? 
Yes. This.
The food in the photo might be $29 worth, but it is no where close to being a week's worth of food.
This is a subject that is close to my heart, as I have had to have assistance off and on for a few years.
Sometimes, receiving as little as $67 per month for me and my daughter.....with an income of less than 10k per year. When I shop for groceries, the cabinets are usually completely empty. I only shop every two weeks.
We don't buy sodas or candies. Sometimes, I do buy chips to pack with my daughter's lunch. If we shop healthy, it costs about $125 per week for just the basic food items.
I've learned to shop the sales, and use coupons. Sometimes, the grocery store has meat specials, and I'll buy an extra package or two and freeze it.
I'm not complaining....assistance is just that....assistance, it's not supposed to be my total sustenance. I'm pretty creative, and an awesome cook. We get by.....but I would sure like to see the "powers that be" try to live on what they propose the folks in need of assistance should live on.
If you're in a hurry, there is a microwave version of this.
One thing that we found really helps is that when we get a 'windfall' (tax return, bonus at work, etc.), we stock up on staples. There were years when we couldn't do that (because windfalls had to cover debts--thank god we owe for nothing but our house now), and it could be really hard. Even when you're a good cook and make just about everything from scratch, there's a big difference money wise between a 5 lb bag of flour every week or so at $3.50 a bag and being able to buy a 25 lb bag of flour for $9, and it lasts a lot longer. Can't remember who it was who said, "It costs a lot to be poor."
If you have staples that you just have to buy every few months, it's much easier to spend your weekly money on fresh food. We have big buckets (food storage type) for flour, sugar, and rice (which we buy 25 lbs at a time), and twice a year at case lot sale time buy a case or two of canned beans, canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. With staples, there are quite a few things that can be made if you're tapped out on cash. Coupons don't do much for me, because I don't think there is a big enough taste difference on most things (with exceptions: mayonnaise, miracle whip, Clorox bleach, maybe a few others) to pay for a premium name. Store brands or bulk are fine
Like staropeace said, though, not everyone has transportation to get large quantities home. Sucks. I often wish we lived in Star Trek: The Next Generation-land, where if you need it a computer just spits it out for you.
I am wondering what the limes are for? Is she gonna suck on them to avoid scurvy? These foods are not practical even. Where is the bread? What is she using the lone onion for? Why the green onions, too. A bag of frozen green peas?
...given her predilection to steam her va-jay-jay, I'd say the frozen peas are for the "cool down" phase...
The limes:
Tortilla/rice/tomato onion garlic and cilantro
Lettuce/eggs
Beans and avacado - might as well use tortillas again.
And just go ahead and steam everything else
Tortilla/rice/tomato onion garlic and cilantro
Lettuce/eggs
Beans and avacado - might as well use tortillas again.
And just go ahead and steam everything else
If she wanted to help the poor, go to a soup-kitchen and pick up a ladle.
That's all well and good for folks who actually get a tax refund, and have storage space available for buying in bulk.One thing that we found really helps is that when we get a 'windfall' (tax return, bonus at work, etc.), we stock up on staples. There were years when we couldn't do that (because windfalls had to cover debts--thank god we owe for nothing but our house now), and it could be really hard. Even when you're a good cook and make just about everything from scratch, there's a big difference money wise between a 5 lb bag of flour every week or so at $3.50 a bag and being able to buy a 25 lb bag of flour for $9, and it lasts a lot longer. Can't remember who it was who said, "It costs a lot to be poor."
If you have staples that you just have to buy every few months, it's much easier to spend your weekly money on fresh food. We have big buckets (food storage type) for flour, sugar, and rice (which we buy 25 lbs at a time), and twice a year at case lot sale time buy a case or two of canned beans, canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. With staples, there are quite a few things that can be made if you're tapped out on cash. Coupons don't do much for me, because I don't think there is a big enough taste difference on most things (with exceptions: mayonnaise, miracle whip, Clorox bleach, maybe a few others) to pay for a premium name. Store brands or bulk are fine
Like staropeace said, though, not everyone has transportation to get large quantities home. Sucks. I often wish we lived in Star Trek: The Next Generation-land, where if you need it a computer just spits it out for you.
Unfortunately, I have neither. I kinda feel like I'm being preached at, so I'll exit this thread. I didn't ask for or want advice, and I certainly wasn't whining about what I have. I was only stating what my personal experience with the broken system has been. I know how to manage what I have.
It took a lot for me to actually admit that I've used public assistance. This just made me feel worse.