2009 Frugal Shopper Challenge

2009 Frugal Shopper Challenge (PL Byrd, SHS Community Health Educator, January 11, 2009) Frugal (fru-gal, adjective): characterized by thriftiness and avoidance of waste; involving very little expense The 2009 frugal shopper challenge was created in response to friends, coworkers, and clients who stated, “It costs too much to eat healthy; we can’t afford to buy organic foods.” This mindset is prevalent in America, and statistics can be found to support it. Online research lists several articles, most written in 2007, documenting experiences of people barely subsisting on a food budget of $3 a day, or $21 per week (the average food stamp allotment in 2007). But few articles popped up dispensing advice on how to eat healthfully while spending frugally. Several US politicians and journalists participated in a “2007 Congressional Food Stamp Challenge” which brought to light the difficulty of eating sensibly by those living in poverty. Make no mistake, it is very difficult to eat a balanced diet - organic or not - in the United States on this budget. For purposes of this challenge, we will shop within the 2009 maximum North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefit. The weekly budget for both individual and family is included in this packet. However, you may already spend much less, or you may choose to spend less. After learning to shop frugally for healthy, whole foods, and leaving behind the nutritionally empty foods, you may find the weekly FNS budget for your household to be inflated! 1 This exercise is not meant to compare incomes or spending habits of those receiving governmental assistance to those not receiving assistance. Rather, it’s a challenge designed for those of us who are concerned about our overall physical, emotional, spiritual and fiscal health, the health of our children, and the health of our planet. Our goal: to prove to ourselves that we can shop for and cook healthy, seasonal whole foods on an affordable budget. We’ll learn to purchase local and organically grown vegetables and support our neighboring farmers. We’ll develop relationships at neighborhood produce stands, farmer’s markets, and grocery stores. We’ll ask each other for help and advice. Shopping, cooking, and gardening will help us hone our survival skills and teach us to develop greater self-sufficiency! We get to be in control of our health and spending habits! Just think of the possibilities… Challenge guidelines:  Cook and eat healthful, whole food while shopping within your state’s weekly maximum Food and Nutrition Services benefit for seven consecutive days, one week or more out of each month, in 2009  One family member is asked to submit a daily food journal  All participants are asked to pack lunch and snacks for school and work daily during the week  Please purchase these items separately: alcohol, soft drinks, pet food, toiletries, and paper products  Please submit your grocery receipts for each week you participate  Avoid spending money on “junk food” or eating out during each monthly 7 day challenge  Place unspent grocery money in a clear jar in a visible location 2 North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services Benefit (Updated 12/17/08) For an individual  $5.79 / day  $40.62 / week  $176.00 / month  $2,112.00 / year For two people  $10.62 / day  $74.33 / week  $323.00 / month  $3,876.00 / year For three people  $15.22 / day  $106.55 / week  $463.00 / month  $5,556.00 / year For four people  $19.33 / day  $135.32 / week  $588 / month  $7,056 / year For more information, please visit http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dss/foodstamp/index.htm 3 Sample Shopping List from Harris Teeter, Albemarle NC November 2008, Individual, VIC Cardholder Budget: $40.62 1. Arnold 100% whole wheat bread 2. Large (2 lb) bag red seedless grapes 3. 1 bag fresh Brussels sprouts 4. 1 pound fresh local collard greens 5. 2 heads fresh organic garlic 6. 1 sweet yellow onion 7. 2 organic sweet potatoes 8. 1 dozen large brown eggs 9. Store brand organic peanut butter 10. Store brand organic honey 11. 36 ounce bag organic brown rice 12. Store brand organic dry black beans 13. Store brand organic raisins 14. Store brand old fashioned oats 15. Sardines, 3 tins 16. Organic (not “natural”) chicken thighs, 6 pieces TOTAL TAX (local 2% food sales tax) GRAND TOTAL $1.99 .99 2.50 .99 1.20 1.50 2.00 1.89 2.99 3.99 5.49 1.29 2.79 1.79 3.00 4.53 $38.93 +.78 $39.71 ($.91 for the fun jar) 4 Sample Shopping List from Food Lion, Albemarle, NC December 2008, Family of 4, MVP Cardholder Budget: $135.32 1. White potatoes, 5 pounds (1 bag) 2. Clementines, 2 boxes 3. Local collard greens, 4 pounds 4. Broccoli crowns, 3 pounds 5. Fresh local turnips, 8 medium 6. Green cabbage, locally grown, large head 7. Fresh garlic, 2 heads 8. Sweet onion, 2 large 9. Sweet potatoes, 4 large 10. Smucker’s natural peanut butter, large jar 11. Local raw honey, quart jar 12. 15 bean dry bean soup mix, 20 oz. 13. Canned diced tomatoes, 1 15 oz. can 14. Fresh lemon, 1 large 15. Hillshire Farm smoked turkey sausage, 2 lbs 16. Chicken leg quarters, 10 lbs 17. Brown rice, 32 oz. bag 18. Organic green tea, 40 bags 19. Tenda Bake Yellow Corn Meal, 5 lbs 20. McCormick Chili Powder, large 21. Arnold 100% WW Dutch Country bread, 2 loaves 22. Buttermilk, 1 quart 23. Eggs, 18 large white 24. Murray ginger snaps, 2 bags 25. Goya dried black beans, 4 pounds 26. Store brand cold pressed olive oil, 1.5 liters 27. Extra virgin olive oil, 8.5 oz (sale brand) $2.25 11.98 3.96 5.37 3.20 5.16 1.38 2.99 4.00 2.69 8.99 2.99 1.26 .99 5.00 5.90 1.61 3.29 3.79 2.13 5.00 1.99 2.79 4.00 4.00 10.80 2.29 5 28. Ronzoni Healthy Harvest WW Pasta, 12 oz 29. Store brand yellow popcorn, 2 lb bag 30. Store brand cinnamon, 3 oz. 31. Store brand old fashioned oats, 42 oz 32. Store brand butter, 4 sticks 33. Store brand raisins, 24 oz. TOTAL 2% local food tax GRAND TOTAL 1.79 2.19 1.67 2.83 3.59 3.19 $125.06 2.50 $127.56 ($7.76 for the fun jar) 6 Frugal Shopper Menu Suggestions Breakfast ideas  Peanut butter toast with honey and raisins  Oatmeal with cinnamon, butter and raisins  2 clementines and ½ baked sweet potato  Stewed chicken and brown rice  Boiled egg and toast  Egg salad sandwich and 2 gingersnaps  Chicken sandwich  Cold leftover greens with the pot liquor and scrambled eggs You don’t have to eat traditional breakfast food for breakfast! Mix it up! Plus, it’s ok to eat oatmeal 4 or 5 times a week. Who cares? Lunch ideas  Leftover 15 bean soup and cornbread  Peanut butter sandwich, Clementine, and 4 ginger snaps  Health slaw and cold chicken  Baked sweet potato with cinnamon and raisins, black beans  Black beans and brown rice, leftover greens  Broccoli and brown rice stir fry with garlic and hot pepper sauce  Egg salad sandwich  Chicken sandwich It’s ok for you and your kids to eat the same good food more than once a week. Leftovers are good for you! Dinner ideas  Whole wheat pasta with broccoli and parmesan cheese  15 bean soup with smoked turkey sausage and cornbread  Roasted chicken with health slaw and roasted veggies  Scrambled eggs and whole wheat toast  Baked sweet potato and black beans, fresh cooked greens  Chicken and brown rice soup, garlic toast  Stir fry with broccoli, garlic, and onions Snacks  1, 2, or 3 clementines per day won’t hurt you!  1 serving of gingersnaps and a cup of green tea  Fresh cooked popcorn, popped the old fashioned way  A spoonful of peanut butter with raisins smashed into it  a small amount of buttermilk with leftover cornbread crumbled in it  a big glass of water! 7 2006 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Statistics Based on a study of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) data gathered in Fiscal Year 2006:     49 percent of all participants are children (18 or younger), and 61 percent of them live in single-parent households 52 percent of SNAP households include children 9 percent of all participants are elderly (age 60 or over) 76 percent of all benefits go to households with children, 16 percent go to households with disabled persons, and 9 percent go to households with elderly persons 33 percent of households with children were headed by a single parent, the overwhelming majority of which were headed by women The average household size is 2.3 persons The average gross monthly income per SNAP household is $673 43 percent of participants are white 33 percent are African-American, non-Hispanic 19 percent are Hispanic 2 percent are Asian 2 percent are Native American less than 1 percent are of unknown race or ethnicity          If you or someone you know needs assistance, please contact: Sharon Scott, Director - Stanly County DSS (704) 986-2005 1000 North First Street, Suite 2 Albemarle, NC 28001 Tel. #704-982-6100 Fax #704-983-5818 Courier Number: 03-23-02 8