Eating on a budget in 2023
Many households across Appalachia are suffering from the crippling impact of inflation and price gouging.
With a little creativity and frugality, you can spend $35 per week ($17.50 per person) on groceries for your family of two. This is significantly less than the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposed budget of $119.40 per week for two adults.
You don’t have to live off of ramen and PB&J’s to eat on a budget in 2023, you just might not be able to get everything you want.
$70 per bi-weekly paycheck will allow you to eat well-rounded meals without skimping on your nutrients too much.
Notes and disclaimers:
This budget assumes you keep household staples on hand, including but not limited to salt and pepper, cooking oil, butter/margarine, and common spices and flavorings.
Instead of including starches and sugars, we have focused on whole grains to allow you to get full and stay full.
Try to purchase store brands, as they are often significantly cheaper than name brands.
This budget takes into account common allergens such as peanut/tree nuts and fish/shellfish, but does not accommodate soy, gluten, and dairy allergens and intolerances or dietary restrictions such as veganism.
This budget assumes meat is out of financial reach and uses alternative proteins.
Costs are based on current prices in Huntsville, Alabama.
Budget
Old fashioned oats (18 oz) - $2.69
Bananas (4) - $1.00
Whole wheat bread (20 oz) - $1.99
Brown rice (1 lb) - $0.99
Spaghetti (16 oz x 2) - $1.98
Pasta sauce (24 oz x 2) - $3.18
Whole milk (1 gal) - $2.99
All-purpose flour (5 lbs) - $2.39
Corn flakes (18 oz) - $1.79
Frozen broccoli (12 oz x 2) - $1.98
Frozen mixed vegetables (12 oz x 2) - $1.98
Frozen carrots (12 oz x 2) - $1.98
Frozen corn (12 oz x 2) - $1.98
Frozen sweet peas (12 oz x 2) - $1.98
Yellow onion (2) - $1.78
Pinto beans (1 lb) - $1.59
Black beans (1 lb) - $1.59
Total: $33.86
This budget allows 2 adults to eat 3 meals per day with a variety of grains, vegetables, and proteins.
Disclaimer: The Appalachian Preservation Project does not employ a registered dietitian. When grocery shopping, take into consideration your own dietary needs, as well as recommendations from your doctor and trained dietitians. This is only a suggested guideline for what might work financially for a household.
