$900 in food money -- What to buy?

[shashabell]

I'm assuming you're wanting to stock up for the long run when times may be slim.
Great suggestions so far. Someone mentioned holidays. Stock up on things for Easter if you can. Candy for the baskets. Ham and all the fixins for sides.
Fill up the freezer with meats. Buy in bulk to get it cheaper by the pound. I'd be making up mass quantity of one pound packages of ground beef. Don't forget the frozen potatoes, waffle, and pancakes. Cheese freezes well but shredded is the best. Block cheese does not slice well once it's frozen. Individually wrapped sliced cheese does great in the freezer. Just remember to put them directly in the fridge from the freezer. Do not thaw them out on the counter. I've never frozen the sprinkle type parmasan cheese but it lasts in the fridge forever.
You can freeze canned biscuits and crescent rolls. I do that and sometimes have to rely on them when I run out of fresh bread. You can also get frozen bread dough which would be great to pop in a pan and bake your own without having to do all the kneading, rising, etc. I'm not good at making bread from scratch.
I'd fill up the pantry with canned goods too. Not just canned veggies. Soup, tuna fish, salmon (for salmon patties), sardines, tamales, corned beef hash, gravy, spam, canned tomatoes, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, chili mix, etc. I'd get lots of canned fruits and bottles of juice.
I'd get boxes of pasta, dried beans, crackers, and rice. Also boxes potato, mac n cheese, and rice sides. Of course boxes of cereal too, bisquik, cake mixes, canned and powdered milk.
Don't forget the condiment type items like syrup, jelly, peanut butter, vinegar, cooking oil, mustard, ketchup, pickles, relish, salad dressing, etc.

I've heard of people freezing fresh vegetables but I've never tried it. You cut them up and place them on a cookie sheet so they won't freeze in a big stuck together mass. Once they're frozen individually, put them in a ziplock bag and keep in the freezer. You can just open the bag and get out the amount you need since they're not frozen stuck together. I've heard people do this with onions, green peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, and others. I would imagine these vegetables would be more for adding to something you're cooking and not for just munching on.

[momabrown3]

freezing fresh vegtables like shashbell said is good for stews or stir frys.

[savedsol]

I don't know a lot about food stamps or the EBT card, however I do know that our local butcher shop does accept the EBT card. They sell big bundles of meat, better quality than the grocery store.

[CW&M Mom]

DH just lost his job so we are on food stamps as well. What I did last month was try and use up all the really good coupons I had. This month I'm going to be focusing more on either things I get RR's for or CATS for because there is no extra money for things like toilet paper. I won't overpay for something but hey if it's a good price at WAGs and I get a RR wahoo.

((HUGS))

[jillynoodle]

just had to comment and say you arent alone in having tough times. my family is going through its worst right now even though i am working i just dont make enough to support my family and our bills. my husband job is so unsteady and has been looking for another job but theres a hundred people after the same not even great job. if i were u take the advice or everyone here, they are so smart at saving money!! i have never had food stamps but i might soon who knows but i think i would definetly stock up on the meats and also canned foods. the boxed food just head to the back of them and check expiration dates as you buy. good luck to u, take care

[danivdp]

We were on FS for a while, and I made sure to stock up on "expensive" things that I knew I never got Q's for and would not make it on the grocery list:

Real Maple Syrup
Honey
Dried fruit
Canned Chicken (BOGO sale)
Nuts

Ditto the RR's for getting non-food items. I am so glad I found couponing so I can get most HBA stuff for only tax.

[forchinadoll]

i would use coupons watch sales and back stock fluids water ,frozen juice,tea,etc and dry goods..noodles,potatoes,canned veggies,tuna canned meats..etc..i buy little mile produce fresh so it dont spoil..also freeze bread sandwich meat buy a turkey it'll strecth if u get hard to last several days

[wholesalebiker]

stockpile meat, butter, dry pasta. coffee dry goods keep for long time.

[mnnice]

Originally Posted by savedsol I don't know a lot about food stamps or the EBT card, however I do know that our local butcher shop does accept the EBT card. They sell big bundles of meat, better quality than the grocery store.

ITA. If I had $900 in food stamps and a freezer with space in it I would order either a 1/2 a pig or the whole hog from my local butcher. A 1/2 runs about $120 at my local butcher.

Also some farmer's markets take FS and some CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture) You could pay for a whole year of most CSA for and have great fresh produce all summer and fall.

[cgrace]

You've gotten such good advice I don't have much to add, but please don't be embarrassed about your situation. These programs exist for exactly this reason, and I'm glad to know they are helping a family who really needs it. Take good care of yourself, and allow this blessing to take a little stress off.