Menu Planning: #236

The USDA food plans represent a healthy diet at four different cost levels. (thrifty, low-cost, moderate-cost and liberal-cost) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) utilizes the thrifty level of the USDA food plans. Each food plan specifies quantities of food and beverage categories that can be purchased and prepared to make healthy meals and snacks at home.

This year, we decided to use the Official USDA Plans: Cost of Food Reports to guide our food budget this year at the thrifty level.

December 2022 Report

Per Week

Male (14-18) = $68.90

Male (51-70) = $64.20

Female (51-70) = $57.70

Total = $190.80/Week or $954.00

Week 1:

Aldi: $51.74

Meijer: $0.49

Kroger: $81.48

Week 2:

Kroger: $212.76

Week 3:

Aldi: $38.96

Kroger: $79.92

Week 4:

Kroger: $141.90

Aldi: $62.75

Total: $664.70

NOTE-

1- Click on the picture and get a link to a post sharing the recipe.

2- Although all prices were correct at the time of the blog postings, the current cost of preparation of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.

Cost Saving Tip of the Week:

Comparison Shop: This week I did not do a great job at this. Kroger had their smoked salmon on sale for $7.99 and since I don’t normally pick up this item, I thought it was a great price. However, when I got to Aldi, they had smoked salmon for $4.39- regular price. I picked up both packages and will do a taste comparison this week in our sushi bowls.

Here is what we did this week to make our week easier:

Menu Planning
Pre-Cut Vegetables

Breakfast Options:

Yogurt

Hard Boiled Eggs

Cereal

Monday

Jambalaya

Bread

Tuesday

Soup and Sandwiches

Wednesday

Tacos

Salad

Chips w/ Salsa

Thursday

Wings

Vegetable Tray w/ Dip

Friday

Pot Luck Dinner

Our contribution:

Oreo Cookies

Saturday

Date Night

Sunday

Stir Fry

Salad

M-Garlic Chicken and Mushrooms*

T- Kielbasa

W- Salmon Sushi

Th- Tacos

Fri- Sandwich Night→ Swim Meet

Sat- Jambalaya

Sun- Chili

* Indicate that the recipe is a new one for our family.

If you are interested in last week’s Menu Plan, the link is below.

What is your meal plan for this week?

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