Inspire Atlanta Program : $35 Grocery Challenge - What Would You Feed Your Family?

On January 26, 2023, during the orientation session for the Inspire Atlanta Program, the 2023 Cohort was issued a challenge by one of our group facilitators, Delia Cochran, to purchase groceries for our family unit for one week using $35.00 or less.

What a way to begin this Inspire Atlanta journey.

As I pondered this challenge I began to think about the current economic environment that is impacting most people in 2023… continued issues with the supply chain post-COVID, inflation, layoffs. There are many people who are currently employed with well paying jobs who are struggling to make ends meet as prices for the necessities of life fluctuate from month to month.

In my mind, this exercise would be seemingly easier for me. I am single and only have to purchase food for myself. I don’t mind eating the same one or two meals over a few days and I can be satisfied with meatless meals if necessary. What I had a hard time conceptualizing was how a family could survive off of $35.00 for one week. What would they do to survive?

So I asked two friends and my mom what they thought. Ironically, the three people I asked all had the same family structures — 2 Adults and 3 Children. I promise I didn’t plan it that way.

After asking each person the question, “What would you purchase for your family to eat for one week with $35”, I was met with the same pregnant pause and a “Hmm…” and then a rattling off of the staples: milk, cereal, rice, peanut butter, beans, frozen vegetables and some type of meat protein that can be stretched over a few meals.

My friend Aisha tearfully said, “I couldn’t feed them three meals a day… maybe two. I would have to rely on the school lunch program to offer breakfast and lunch during the week.” Another pause, or two. Yeah, now I felt bad as well.

~My Shopping Experience~

Friday, February 9, 2023

I finally had my shopping experience one day after work. I headed to Publix, my neighborhood grocery store. Publix is expensive on a good and bad day so I knew going in that my $35.00 wasn’t going to go far. I also ensured I had $35.00 in cash to be fully present and intentional about staying on budget.

I opted to go to Publix instead of traveling to a different store with less expensive food because I wanted my experience to be as authentic as possible. Many people don’t have multiple stores to choose from in their neighborhoods and also don’t have travel options; thus having to rely on what is available in their immediate neighborhood even if its only a gas station/convenience store/bodega.

As I entered the store I read the store sale paper to determine if there were items I could purchase for less, especially items that I liked or really felt I needed to purchase. It was Super Bowl Weekend and Valentine’s Day wasn’t far off, so most of the items on sale were items for parties or to celebrate commercialized love and surely not for living on a limited budget.

I zoomed past the deli section, I knew that the prepared foods were not in scope for this experience. I did peruse the prepackaged lunch meats and had to quickly move along, even they were pricey ($4.50 +). I was committed to purchasing some fresh foods, even if it was only a couple of bananas and apples.

I settled for four bananas and was also able to purchase two avocados (they were on sale for $1 each), a bag of red potatoes (they were on sale and the least expensive), a bag of baby carrots, a red onion and a jalapeno pepper.

I walked up and down each aisle of the store searching the shelves for the least expensive items that would be filling and that could stretch over a few days. Most items were in cans… beans, evaporated milk, chicken and tuna. I also purchased a jar of peanut butter, a jar of pasta sauce, a couple of cups of yogurt (on sale for $1 each), oatmeal, hot sauce (for flavor), margarine, bread, a box of pasta, and a few other staples. I also purchased a large bag of frozen green beans. Most items were Publix brand.

I spent about an hour in the store shopping. I knew I could eat for a week off of the items in my basket. It may not have been the food that I wanted to eat but I would be able to eat enough to sustain myself. I was super excited about the avocados and am happy they were on sale…they felt like a luxury item. Second to the avocados was the yogurt and bananas. In my mind, there had to be something that was somewhat enjoyable in that basket. Maybe that is a point of privilege that I need to examine.

I pressed my way to the check out and loaded my items on the conveyor belt only to find that I went over budget by $11.50. Oy Vey!! What am I going to put back???

There were so many lessons while in Publix, through conversation with others and through introspection. Foremost, in the words of Jimmy McMillian who ran for Mayor of New York City in 2005 and 2009 and for Governor of New York in 2010… he coined the phrase and party name “The Rent is Too Damn High”; well, I can honestly say, “The Food is Too Damn High” too.

In life I have had both a little and a lot. I am grateful to say that most of the time I have had a lot. I don’t understand how in 2023, in a country like the United States, where there is so much wealth and abundance that there are people who don’t have the basic necessities of life… clean water, fresh and quality food, adequate housing;and good and affordable healthcare.

I have many more thoughts…. One final… I purchased food but no soap (of any kind), no toothpaste, no deodorant, no lotion, no feminine products. I will write more later as this post is already very long.

I end it by saying, yet again, I am grateful!

Please consider donating to my fundraising campaign in support of the work of The Atlanta Women's Foundation. We are working to alleviate situational and generational poverty for women and girls.

Donation Link: https://p2p.onecause.com/inspireatl23/tonya-plear