Public health workers discover what it’s like to eat on $25 a week

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While reality shows seem to be a dime a dozen these days, Carlton County Public Health recently decided to launch a reality “show” of its own – one that’s all too real in light of the recent economic downturn and increasing unemployment rate.

“Our goal was to raise awareness of the challenge of providing nutritious meals when living on a limited budget,” said Terri Allen, Carlton County Public Health supervisor. “Many individuals and families in Carlton County rely on the assistance of the Food Support Program.”

Allen went on to say that in 2008, Carlton County had an average food support payment of $92.77 per person, per month, with an average of 795 cases per month.

With that in mind, the staff of Carlton County Public Health was challenged to try to provide nutritious meals for themselves while living on a grocery budget of $25 per week and then record their experiences in a daily blog. What participating staff members discovered, she said, was “positively eye opening.”

“I have toast with jam and yogurt as options for breakfast,” blogged Joanne E, “which my husband complained about and my 4-year-old had an absolute outrageous fit about! I couldn’t afford a variety of cereals and no waffles or elaborate breakfast sandwiches that he is accustomed to. I realized, also, as I was planning my meals that variety is a thing of the past this week and it is really hard to eat the way we are used to.....I will still be able to make a few of the healthy things, but they won’t take us as far and I found that to the end of the week it is going to be looking bleak!”

“Yikes, I hope I can do this,” blogged Roni. “Goodbye Diet Coke from McDonald’s – I can spend $10 a week on that alone!”

“Already this A.M., I figured I had to eat the yogurt I have on hand,” wrote Andrea B. “The 32-ounce container should get me through the week if I measure my portions out, so now I am down to $17.45 for lunches and suppers. No lattes from Bearaboo this week!”

Andrea B. posted, “A friend of mine shared that when she was feeding her family of six on $25 a week, she would cut the amount of meat in half. For example, in a hot dish recipe that called for one pound of beef, she would only use half a pound, and if turkey was cheaper, she substituted that for the beef.”

“I took on this challenge with my college-age daughter,” wrote Patti M. “We both learned a lot. I spent a bit over $25 so had to give back the peanuts and romaine. I, of course, then craved those all week long..... We packed our lunches and had turkey or cheese sandwiches and alternated with peanut butter banana. We were able to eat apples, celery and carrots to help us feel full. I tried to use only whole grain products to also keep that full feeling. It seems that I ate more carbs than usual and the scale showed this! It was very apparent that being resourceful and educating yourself would be important in meeting this challenge week after week to maintain your nutritional needs.”

“Variety is a challenge,” admitted Terri A. “Six chicken meals in one week is a bit much....I have noticed a tinge of hunger a lot of the time, and perhaps this causes a bit of irritability. I have eaten more bread this week than in the past month....I have one apple left – that will be a dessert at some time.”

“I am learning it takes a lot of creativity and paying a lot of attention to deals at the grocery store to be able to put together a healthy diet,” admitted Meghann C.

“I bought Smuckers organic peanut butter, a loaf of Arnolds bread (on sale!), four chicken thighs, a pound of ground turkey and a bag of peas,” blogged Andrea B. “I drink only water....”

“I had two buns with cheese today – one for breakfast and one for lunch,” blogged Allen. “There was a stale cookie at work I ate and someone gave me a can of Diet Coke. Now I am going shopping while hungry, not a good plan. I am going to drink a lot of water to feel full before I go.”

Allen said the week’s experience really hit home for many of the department’s employees, and she added she hopes it will have a lasting effect on them as they continue to work with others for whom budget

restrictions are a way of life.

“My husband wanted to know what the point was, since we could go back to eating normally after one week,” Allen related. “I hope there really will be a ‘point’ to this – an awareness, empathy, and perhaps

something will change me forever…. These are choices many people have to make every day....”

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