Low-Budget Cooking

[LizC]

Okay...so I am moving soon, and I am trying to go through my budget- it looks like I will have $40 a week for food--- the only things I will have in "Stock" are Rice, Pasta, and Frozen Vegetables (probably yellow/green bean mix).
Does any one have suggestions for a meal plan? I will be living in Toronto, and have access to a Metro, a Whole Foods, and something called a Big Carrot?

Thanks so much!

[rabid_child]

$40 a week for groceries is very doable. We get by on $70/wk for 2 people. We stick to in season fruits and veggies, lots of beans and whole grains like whole wheat pasta, brown rice, barley, quinoa. I'd actually stay away from Whole Foods and any other specialty health food store except for specific things you can't get elsewhere because they tend to be a LOT more expensive. Look for local asian markets, produce and tofu and noodles tend to be very cheap!

[nomad888]

When I was on a tight budget my meal plan was basically "rice with stuff in it." Not the most interesting diet but it's cheap and it works.

[Her Jazz]

I would go to Whole Foods if only for the bulk bin. That way you can get a little bit of this or that and have some variety. You can get a variety of dried beans, rice and quinoa (amongst other things) and get just the amount that you need for yourself. This is what me and my hubby do on a tight budget.

Never assume that one place is going to be so much higher than another...you need to scout them all out for deals. I can get vegan margarine much cheaper at Whole Foods than anywhere else in town (and I have quite a few options). My cat food, soap and washing detergent are also cheaper there (although that doesn't matter in a food discussion)...and staples like pasta sauce are the same price there (Whole Foods brand) as they are in the conventional stores. Produce varies also and I have gotten some good deals. Just stay away from the intentionally over-priced designer crap like pre-made frozen food and exotic fruit all the way from the Island of Somewhere.

Dinner on a budget would be something like soups, stir-fries and rice dishes. Also you can get a lot from cooking with dried beans and they are very versatile. I like to make fritters out of mung beans by mixing them with chickpea flour (but you can also use any other type of bean and flour mix). Beans are a good (and cheap) filler for soups/stews/chillies etc.

I would however strongly recommend trying to find one good Asian market in your vicinity to stock up on your spice cabinet. They will have the best prices for those as well as some beans and as stated before, tofu and noodles etc. Usually the spices come in bags and will last you a long time so you don't have to buy the very rip-off expensive McCormick shakers.

[nomad888]

Actually the last time I compared prices here in Las Vegas, the organic produce was cheaper at Whole Foods than it was at the regular grocery stores near me. A few years ago they were overpriced, but they're becoming more competitive now. I do almost all my shopping at Whole Foods.

[cinnamon_heart]

Some cheaper grocery stores in Toronto to consider are NoFrills, Price Chopper and Food Basics. All have many locations across the city which are easily accessible by subway or bus. These three grocery chains are the 'value' store brands of the more expensive Loblaws, Sobeys and Metro respectivley.

In addition to the big chain groceries - Fiesta Farms is an excellent independent store with a wide variety of local and organics. Also as previously mentioned don't forget the many smaller local fruit markets and ethnic groceries - they often have more local produce than the big chains at a better value.

Toronto is an amazingly diverse city for food and the ethic restaurants and groceries are often the most veg friendly and best value. Have fun exploring!

[LizC]

Thanks for the help so far guys/girls!
Cinnamon_heart, can you tell me where Fiesta Farms is located? I would love to shop at no frill and such, but I am in a wheelchair, so getting places during winter to shop will be fairly limited (paratransit=not so good)...but definately once spring comes I will be heading out to those places (I also hope to be employed by then! )

[jenni-anti-fur]

$40 a week for groceries is very doable. We get by on $70/wk for 2 people. We stick to in season fruits and veggies, lots of beans and whole grains like whole wheat pasta, brown rice, barley, quinoa. I'd actually stay away from Whole Foods and any other specialty health food store except for specific things you can't get elsewhere because they tend to be a LOT more expensive. Look for local asian markets, produce and tofu and noodles tend to be very cheap!

agree...but WF is do-able if you shop sales and coupon