September 2010 Distribution Day: SHARE and AngelFood Ministries Food Programs

Today was distribution day for both SHARE Foods and AngelFood Ministries. It is nice when the days coincide. For me the two sites are just a mile or two apart and a whole lot closer than the grocery stores. Today's food cost me $131. For that amount I purchased two deluxe units from SHARE (5 frozen meats, 9 fresh fruits/vegetables per unit) and two Signature units from AngelFood as well as a fruit and veggie box.

When I got home I laid out the food on my table to take pictures (see below). In case the pictures are misleading to the amount of food, the table is eight and a half feet long. I took inventory so I could plan my menus. I had a rough idea as both food programs are online so I can look before ordering day to decide what I want and how much too.

Full Table Shot

Close-Up Shot of Half of the Table

Other Half

The Food List:
2 dozen eggs
2 32-oz shelf stable milk
2 2-lb boxes of spaghetti
2 1-lb bags of white rice
2 1-lb bags of kidney beans
2 5.5-oz packages of pancake mix
2 boxes cornbread stuffing mix
4 bunches green onion
4 6-oz packages radishes
3 heads iceberg lettuce
1 head green cabbage
2 heads of cauliflower
1 pineapple
4 lemons
1 avocado
4 pears
2 1-lb packages of baby carrots
21 plums
1 lb Kiwi
16 Navel oranges
2 dozen apples
1 cantaloupe
1 1-lb carrots
3 lbs yellow onions
3 3-lb bags russet potatoes
1 3-lb bag sweet potatoes
2 1-lb packages frozen corn
2 1-lb packages frozen green beans
2 1-lb. packages frozen peas
2 24-oz packages of French fries
2 8-ct packages of Bean & Cheese Burritos
2 3-lb packages of Splint Chicken Breasts
2 4-ct hamburger patties
2 1-lb packages lean ground beef
2 4-ct packages boneless pork chops
2 1.5-lb packages of popcorn chicken
2 1-lb packages beef sausages
2 1-lb packages meatballs
2 12-oz packages sausage links
2 1-lb packages breaded shrimp
2 1-lb Teriyaki pork tenderloins
2 12-oz packages chicken tenders

When you figure I am feeding 9 people (2 adults, 4 teenager/pre-teen, 3 children), that is a lot of food for little money. I will get 10-14 days of dinners with some food for snacks, breakfast and lunches. $131 is just $14.50 per per person or $1.45 a day figuring 10 days. Even with any extra I might buy to round out the meals, I am feeding my family frugally. Stay tuned for menus!

Food Programs to Help the Budget

To make my dollar stretch a bit further, I found a couple of food programs in my area that can help. They are called SHARE Foods and Angel Food Ministries. I have mentioned them before, but it doesn't hurt to mention it again.

They benefit me because they are located closer than any grocery store saving me gas. Also the packages are usually a good deal. It might not work for everyone depending on location and costs of different regions. Also I do not do Angel Food Ministries every month as I skip the months where the majority of the food is either beef or prepared foods. I prefer to buy a side of beef from local farmers as it helps my community and tastes better. I also cook from scratch due to allergies in our household. It also has less sodium and tastes better according to my family.

Last Saturday, I picked up food units from both programs. I picked up two basic units from each program plus an additional fruit and vegetable unit and a seafood special from Angel Food. We have Restaurant Nights at home instead of taking 9 people out to eat. Also I can control the allergens better since we have a child that can't eat dairy, eggs or red dye. The Restaurant Night was Red Lobster this past week. $35 is whole lot cheaper than eating at the actual restaurant.
I get ahead of myself, though. I thought I would tell you what my haul got me and the meals I have or plan to make.

MEAT
2 Ground Sausage, 1 lb rolls
2 Italian Meatballs, 1 lb pkg
2 Tilapia Fillets, 1 lb pkg
2 Popcorn Chicken, 1 lb pkg
4 Pork Roasts, 24 oz. pkg
2 Beef Steak, 4 ct pkg
2 Hamburger, 1 lb roll
2 Breaded Drumsticks, 1.5 lb pkg
2 Bnls/Sknls Chicken Breasts, 2 lb pkg
2 Lasanga, 2 lb. ready meal
4 Popcorn Shrimp, .5 lb pkg
1 Stuffed Crab, 8 ct pkg
1 Shrimp, raw & peel-on, 1 lb pkg
1 Crab Legs, 2.5 lb pkg

SHELF ITEMS
(1) Raisins, 6 pk
(2) Spaghetti, 1 lb pkg
(2) White Rice, 1 lb pkg
(1) Pinto Beans, 1 lb pkg
(2) Spaghetti Sauce, 25 oz can
(2) Milk, 32 oz shelf-stable box

FRUITS/VEGETABLES
2 Pineapple
4 Fuji Apples
12 Pink Lady Apples
2 lb Red Delicious Apples
1 lb Plums
9 Grapefruit
2 Pears
2 Tangerines
3 lb Oranges
2 Heads of Iceberg Lettuce
3 Heads of Cabbage
13 lb Red Potatoes (1 3-lb pkg, 2 5-lb pkg)
2 3-lb Russet Potatoes
4 bunches green onion
2 bunches Broccoli
2 6-oz pkg Radishes
2 1-lb Carrots
1 lb pkg Baby Carrots
2 lb yellow Onion

FREEZER/REFRIGERATOR ITEMS
2 1-lb Lima Beans
2 1-lb Broccoli Cuts
2 1-lb Green Beans
2 1-lb Blueberries
2 Pumpkin Pies
2 dozen Eggs

I got all of that for $165. Yes, that is a lot. Let's put that into perspective though. There are nine people in my family. That food will feed us for over two weeks. My normal food budget is $150 a week. It sounds a lot better now.

What did I make with that food? Well, for starters, the kids eat the apples for snacks. I keep those on the counter with other fruit for that purpose. So most of the fruit goes toward snack and breakfasts. The baby carrots are used in lunches as are the raisins. Here is a list of the other meals that used my food program bounty:

Dishes Made
Sausage-Egg Rolls (sausage, eggs)
Honey-Pineapple Shrimp Kabobs (shrimp, pineapple)
Side Dish of Steamed Broccoli (raw broccoli)
Caesar Salad (eggs)
Pumpkin Pie (pumpkin pie)
Chocolate Chip Muffins (eggs)
Sausage Apple Skillet (cabbage, apples, yellow onion)
Spinach-Carrot Salad (carrots)
Shepherd's Pie (hamburger, carrots, green beans)
Tossed Salad (iceberg lettuce, carrots)
Crazy Stir-Fry over Noodles (cabbage, yellow onions, carrots)
Egg Drop Soup (green onion)
Restaurant Night: Red Lobster (popcorn shrimp, tilapia, stuffed crab, crab legs)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes (red potatoes)

I also used what I had in my pantry and freezer. I did go grocery shopping but it was items for snacks (baked pretzels, s'more fixings using chocolate syrup, nacho ingredients) and perishables like yogurt, cheese and milk. The shelf-stable milk is used for a back-up. I didn't use all I bought will move the planned items to next week.

Speaking of next week, stayed tuned for I use more of the food program foods!

Food Distribution Day

I pick up my food from both Angel Food Ministries and SHARE Foods the same day. This is my haul for today and should feed my family for a couple of weeks. It would probably last longer, but everyone will be home from work and school so food disappears at alarming rate.

This is my SHARE Foods order. It is three regular units plus 2 specials.

This is my Angel Food Ministries Order. It is 3 regular units.

This is all the food I received today. It cost me $167. That sounds like a lot (and it is), but that feeds nine people for two weeks. Groceries bought at a store will normally run me $150 a week. To put things into perspective, my table is over 7 feet long (88 inches).

What I received today:

• Ham Slices
• Italian Sausage, ground
• Beef Steak Strips
• Imitation Crab
• Shrimp, pre-cooked
• Breaded Chicken Tenders
• Lemon Herb Chicken Breasts
• Pork Chops
• Ground Beef Patties
• Beef Roasts
• Hot Dogs
• Banquet Turkey & Gravy
• Carrot Slices, frozen
• Green Beans, frozen
• French Fries
• Potatoes
• Sweet Potatoes
• Onions
• Iceberg Lettuce
• Celery
• Carrots
• Apples
• Oranges
• Eggs
• Shelf-Stable Milk
• Corn Muffin Mix
• Chicken Broth
• Rice
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Sweet Potato Pies

AngelFood Ministries Meal Plan for October

I bought just two regular units from AngelFood Ministries this month. There were more processed foods this month so I cut back. I did purchase a fresh fruit & veggie box as well. In addition to AFM, I picked up my SHARE Foods order (2 units).

October Package (contents of one unit):
1.5 lb. Top Sirloin Strip Steaks (4 x 6 oz.)
4.5 lb. Split Chicken Breast Family Tray Pack
26 oz. Heat and Serve Salisbury Steaks and Brown Gravy
1 lb. Chicken Breast Fajita Strips
1 lb. Boneless Center-Cut Pork Chops (4 x 4 oz.)
1 lb. Fully Cooked Meatballs
1 lb. All Meat Hot Dogs
1 lb. Frozen Sliced Carrots
1 lb. California Blend Vegetables
1 lb. Pasta (spaghetti)
28 oz. Marinara Sauce
48 oz. Hawaiian Punch
32 oz. Borden 2% Reduced Fat Shelf Stable Milk
12 ct. Corn Tortillas
One Dozen Eggs
One Dessert Item (box of oatmeal cookies for me)

October Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Special:
1 head New York State Green Cabbage
1 head California Iceberg Lettuce (Cello wrapped)
1 bunch California Broccoli
2 lb. Medium-Large Idaho/East Oregon Yellow Onions
5 lb. New Crop Yukon Gold Potatoes
3 lb. North Carolina New Crop Red Apples
2 lb. Bag of California Fancy Lemons
1 Super Sweet Gold Pineapple
1 lb. Bag of California Peeled Baby Carrots

So what meals can I make to get the most bang for my buck?

Meal #1: Broccoli Beef over Rice, Fresh Pineapple

Uses: beef steaks, broccoli, onion and pineapple

Meal #2: Chicken Fajita Pizza, Salad

Uses: chicken fajita strips, onion, lettuce, carrots

Meal #3: Barbeque Chicken, Coleslaw, Mashed Potatoes

Uses: chicken breasts, cabbage, poatoes

Meal #4: Salisbury Steaks with Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables

Uses: salisbury steaks & gravy, potatoes, California blend vegetables

Meal#5: Chili Dogs, Coleslaw, Steak Fries

Uses: hot dogs, cabbage, potatoes

Meal#6: Steak Chalupas, Spanish Rice, Fresh Fruit

Uses: corn tortillas, beef steaks, apples

Meal#7: Meatball Sub Casserole, Salad, Steamed Broccoli

Uses: Meatballs, Marinara Sauce, Lettuce, Carrots

Meal #8: Sausage Gravy over Toast, Peas, Fresh Fruit

Uses: shelf-stable milk, onion

Meal #9: Fried Rice, Egg Drop Soup

Uses: eggs, frozen carrots, onion

Meal #10: Apple Barbecue Pork, Cooked Carrots, Buttered Noodles

Uses: pork chops, frozen carrots, pasta

That is for one AFM unit plus most of the fruit and vegetable special unit. With my second unit I can also make the following meals:

Meal: Chicken Tetrazinni, Salad, Cooked Carrots

Meal: Beef & Chicken Fajitas, Spanish Rice, Refried Beans

Meal: Meatball Subs, Fresh Vegetables & Dip

Meal: Pizza, Salad

Meal: Breakfast for Dinner - Waffle Sandwiches, Fruit

**The Hawaiian Punch will be used to make homemade popicles or slushes. The cookies will be a snack served with milk.

Weekly Menu with SHARE Foods

Once a month I get a unit from the local SHARE foods program. Actually I get two or three units. SHARE is a non-profit organization that offers a variety of foods for low cost. SHARE Food Program

I use SHARE for a few reasons. One is to be frugal since the distribution site I use is half a mile from my house. I save on gas since it normally takes me 15 minutes just to get to town to shop. That means it saves time too. Time and money, gotta love 'em. Also I get a variety of products which introduces my family to new foods. For February I purchased three units. Below is all the food in those three units which cost me $51.



This month one unit included:
Broccoli (1 bunch)
Grapefruit (2)
Oranges (5)
Apples (5)
Celery (1)
Carrots (1 lb)
Potatoes (3 lb)
Onions (2 lb)
Cabbage (1 head)
Tilapia (1 lb)
Shaved Roast Beef (8 oz)
Dijon Turkey Tenderloin (about 2 lbs)
Breaded Pork Patties (5 ct)

Using the foods from the units ...

My Weekly Menu
Monday - Tilapia with Seasoned Rice, Steamed Broccoli, Green Salad
Tuesday - Breaded Pork Sandwiches, Coleslaw, Apple Slices/Celery Sticks
Wednesday - Cabbage-Sausage Supper, Waldorf Salad, French Bread,
Thursday - Beef & Cheddar Rolls, Ceasar Salad
Friday - Pizza Night (Cheese, Supreme, Sausage)
Saturday - Turkey Tenderloin, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans
Sunday - FFY Day

This will leave some extra fruit to be used for breakfasts and snacks. The carrots will become carrot sticks for lunches and snacks. A nice crock-pot stew sounds like a delish way to use some of the onions, potatoes and carrots. Perfect for these winter days around here.