The USDA has a website that post the average cost of feeding a family of four. This would be two adults and two children. For the month of Nov, 07 , the latest one listed, the low cost , thrifty plan is for $ 485 to $558. per month. The lower cost is for younger children. I think that most of us are doing  Babs
 

That is more money then I spend on feeding our family. I spend $400 - $500 per mth but that includes about $75 of pet food, takeout, about $50 of pullups, cleaning supplies etc.

 It is funny . It had around a $1,000 to feed a family of four on their "best food plan". I cant imagine spending that much every month. Maybe one time a year to stock up on meat and everything. I normally spend around the $500. per month but not every month. Some are a lot less. Babs

I can spend $1000 a month but that would be eating every meal out! or having delivery/takeout every day. but I wouldn't be spending any on groceries then.

If that's what they are listing as average, how do they expect a family with  jobs just above minumum wage which disqualifies them for aid to get by?  Rent, utilities, transportation and $500 a month for food?

re-tired 

 My DH would be buying steak, steak and more steak. Babs

 I know. It is crazy. Something has to give and change.If your on minumum wage, food would be 1/2 of your take home pay, I would think.I know a lot of people that their rent is one half of take home or more.  It explains a lot about cc debt. It becomes survival from day to day. You are better off to be really poor and have food stamps, section 8 rent help, medicaid than to work for low wages. Sad situation.  The other side. think how much you would need to bring home for pay to spend $1,000 on groceries. Babs

 I budget $450 for a family of five and that covers food and supplies. But I can see a family spending much more with the cost of things if they don't meal plan, stock up and bargain shop.

I think on a whole, we really thrifty folk are not the average shoppers. I think shopping weekly or even daily for meal supplies is more the average way and that costs more to do.

I guess it works in your favour for food stamps.

 My Family's Interests,

Was that comment meant for me? I don't use food stamps.