Based on the latest prices, USDA’s Low-Cost Food Plan indicates your family can achieve a nutritious diet that meets current Dietary Guidelines for Americans by spending an estimated:
$168.07 per week
$728.25 per month
(That was for 0 meals out for the adults and 5 meals out for the kids, who eat lunch at school. And snacks. Do I count snacks? I don't count snacks.)
$163.18 per week
$707.06 per month
(If I change it to 1 meal out per week for the adults. It's really more like 2 meals out a month.)
Either way, we are Below, at about $150-152 a week
If your spending at the grocery store is less than what the food calculator estimates, here are some possibilities:
1. You are doing a great job making your food dollar stretch. Just make sure that you are eating the recommended amounts from each of the food groups for good health. ChooseMyPlate.gov has a tracker and a meal planner that can help you plan for good nutrition. Yes
2. You receive some food or vouchers from WIC, SNAP (Supplemental Food Assistance Program), food pantries, friends/relatives, raise animals to butcher for food, have a garden, and/or go fishing/hunting. The value of this food is not included in your estimate of what you spend for food. NO
3. You are purchasing food at the grocery or quick shop that hasn’t been counted. Or possibly you are eating out more frequently than you recall. NO
Pllbbt