the hunger challenge started this week. i’m currently on day 2 and i have really come to appreciate food and also shocked at the prices of things. i was pretty resourceful when i went grocery shopping but being healthy was a big obstacle. chicken breast is so much more expensive than chicken thigh but i just trimmed the fat and bones so hopefully, it won’t be too unhealthy. in addition, i couldn’t afford anything that was organic or sustainable – getting fresh fruit and veggies at a reasonable price was already an issue. but in the end, i was able to buy all ingredients for under $20. i’m very proud of myself. i just need to make sure that i don’t get sick of the food that i made and appreciate that i have a warm, semi-healthy meal in front of me.
my shopping list
Grand Total $18.22
Bone-in Chicken Thighs (15) $6.05
Strawberry Yogurt (1 quart) $2.69
Pears (3) $0.92
Mushrooms $0.90
Apples (3) $0.43
Carrot (1) $0.22
Brocolli (1) $0.50
Cream of Mushroom (1) $1.75
Creamed Corn (1) $1.75
Bulgar (5) $1.00
Onions (2) $0.58
Eggs (6) $1.20
Frozen Peas & Carrots (2/3 c) $0.23
update: i decided to ditch the 2 cans of turkey chili since i know they taste bad. so i opted for fresh fruit and veggies instead. i think those are healthier than anything that comes out of a can =)
my mom has taken this challenge to a new level. she really is chinese. her list and picture make mine look just lame. she’s doing it for 6 days so her budget was $24. i like the smug look on her face too.
Grand Total $22.71
Spam (1) $2.00
Egg (1) $0.25
Rice (2 1/2 cups) $0.60
Green Onion (1) $0.15
Soft Tofu (1) $0.99
Regular Tofu (1) $1.19
Chicken Thigh (9) $5.50
Pork $1.50
Rice Noodle (1) $0.59
Bean Srpouts $0.50
Maxwell Coffee $0.75
Apple (2) $1.50
Orange (3) $0.80
Pineapple Bun (2) $1.00
Cream Crackers (1) $0.50
Green and Red Pepper (2) $0.40
Coffee Cream $0.59
Melon (1) $0.80
Brocolli $1.00
Bok Choi $1.00
Zucchini $1.10
Hunger Challenger - Mom
grubadubdub 
I think you guys might be missing the point of the challenge.
Isn’t it to experience what it’s like eating as a poor person (ie: $4/day is equal to what someone on food stamps can spend?).
So, in keeping with the spirit of the challenge, wouldn’t you want to relatively restrict yourself to places that accept food stamps, dissallow yourself from cooking w/expensive kitchenry, etc. You’r using so many resoursces for acquiring/preparing/etc. food that a poor person doesn’t have.
I’m reminded of the time I first checked out my last foodie pick on 3rd and Newcomb (right in the heart of HP). And I needed cash to buy my food, so I went over to the market across the street to use their ATM (max $20 cash back). And in line before me was a woman – with her child – using food stamps to purchase overpriced food, and then wait outside to catch a bus to take it home. That’d be in keeping with the spirit of the challenge.
I think there are many ways to experience hunger in America. My family when I was growing up was on food stamps twice and we certainly were able to shop in regular supermarkets and use kitchen equipment. There is no right way or wrong way to experience the Hunger Challenge, the idea is to raise awareness. But it is true that inner city and rural families have the least amount of options for buying healthy and inexpensive food.
Good luck!
thanks for the encouragement! it has been a very very difficult week for me to stay within by $4 budget. but this experience has shown me that what a hungry person goes through living in an urban city with very little affordable and healthy options. i was a rookie this year but i will have a better game plan next year.