I 've been assigned to cover these methods of stretching the food dollar (for my upscale community, which now has both programs).

 I'm looking for questions to ask users here in CO.

one topic that came up with the spokeswoman was the ethics of using programs people view as "for the poor."

is it OK to use these buying clubs (that's how the local folk view them) if you can afford the markets? why or why not (i'd like to get some basic ideas of the viewpoints)?

Are the boxes weighted toward processed foods in your opinion? Are they healthy long term?

How long is the box's food meant to last?

 As a vegetarian, I've not found them appealing.

and what's the sweet deal with these programs?

 Sorry to mine you dear folks, but if anyone knows this, it is YOU!

I thank you in advance.

peacenik

While I am NOT in CO, I can tell you that the Angel Food menu is the menu for the entire country,with substitutions as needed (hasn't happened to me, and we've been using AF since Aug '09). I order 2 sig boxews (this upcoming month has the most processed foods in my personal experience) as well as 2 produce boxes. Produce is very expensive where I live, and this allows me to have affordable access to produce.

Can I buy food at the grocer? Yes, but then I wouldn't have $ needed for high medical expenses. Due to income, we aren't eligible for any "programs" and we're in between the gaps. This program certainly is helping us.

HTH

one topic that came up with the spokeswoman was the ethics of using programs people view as "for the poor."

is it OK to use these buying clubs (that's how the local folk view them) if you can afford the markets? why or why not (i'd like to get some basic ideas of the viewpoints)? Angel Food is not specifically "for the poor". While they do accept food stamps and can be seen as "for the poor" by many, it is more of a co-op where everyone is putting in money to buy in bulk.

Are the boxes weighted toward processed foods in your opinion? Are they healthy long term? I find they are very heavy in meats. And for me those are the most expensive items. I have seen a few items, such as stir-fry and breaded items, but we like those items as a quick fix for a busy evening or lunch.

How long is the box's food meant to last? a standard box is suppose to feed a family of 4 for a week; how, I don't know, I know my family of 3 (well, 2.5) have to add items to the box to make a full meal. But if you were very stringent I suppose it would work.

 As a vegetarian, I've not found them appealing. - I can understand that it wouldn't be appealing.

and what's the sweet deal with these programs? I find it appealing because its a one stop shop. I can plan my meals around the monthly box. Then I am not tempted to go to the store and buy all the junk I do not need. We did try the produce box this month and we were not impressed. 2/3 of it was thrown out. We won't be ordering that again. It's a trial and error process. You have to figure out what works for you.

Both Angel Food and SHARE were specifically designed to help people who fall "between the cracks".  There are so many people who do not qualify for gov't assistance, but legitimally need help getting by day to day.  Many of those people are typically in the socio-economic group known as lower-middle class.  These programs cater to those people most and everyone else fits in as needed or as they wish to.  My experience with both is that NO ONE will ever ask you any questions regarding where you live, your income, how many people in your household or anything of that nature.  They are simply there to help.  For some people the help is more needed; for others the help is the convenience of the program.  Each family is different and that's what's nice about the programs -- b/c your family and your lifestyle are not even questioned, let alone judged.

I think if a family has each program available then each month they should evaluate the program and decide on what will work best for them.  If they want as little processed food as possible, then each month will have to be judged indepently.  One month, SHARE might be better.  Or maybe they order Angel Food 6 months in a row and then decide to get the SHARE packages.  Doesn't really matter since there's no enrollment and people can come and go from each program as they see fit.

The programs are meant to be supplements, meaning they are not end all or be all for a family.  My suggestion is to order a standard box for the first time and see how it works for your family.  A family with 2 teenage boys is going to use a lot more food than a family with 2 toddlers.  That's why I don't think it's fair to say that it's enough food for dinners for a family of 4 for a week or whatever it is they say.  I knew a family that had 9 kids and would order 10 boxes every month, but those 10 boxes only lasted them 1 week, maybe a day or 2 more.  I've seen seniors barely get through 1 box in a month.  Each family is unique.

I don't think you can judge a program by one month or one package.  Each month and each package must be evaluated seperately.

I have been using Share WI for almost 3 years and just started Angel last month ( they just came in the area two months ago)  I love it.  It really helps to keep the prices down.  There are some items, especially on Share that my dh likes even better we get in the store.  I not only find it cheaper but is convenient to as well. 

truepeacenik:

one topic that came up with the spokeswoman was the ethics of using programs people view as "for the poor."

No these programs are for anyone does not matter your level of income.  The programs need for people to buy there food other wise they shut down.  In Green Bay alone there was 3 share sites when I stated going 3 years ago now there is only one, because they did not have enough people to support all three sites.  I also know that at the Share site I use what ever food is left over a pick up day is donated to the food pantry

is it OK to use these buying clubs (that's how the local folk view them) if you can afford the markets? why or why not (i'd like to get some basic ideas of the viewpoints)?

One reason they are cheaper http://www.sharewi.org/HowSHAREPricesCompare.html

2.  convenience I can place a monthly order and pick it up in one day.  I can also plan my monthly menus around the food that I am buying I then will go to the store to get the items I know they will not have

3.  Produce in WI the produce in the winter is not very good and it is expensive.  With Share and Angel I can get nice cheap produce all year long.

Are the boxes weighted toward processed foods in your opinion? Are they healthy long term?

I do find that there is more processed food with Angel than with Share, but I don't feed my family the processed foods everyday so once in a while is fine.  In fact here is the order form for Share for November http://www.sharewi.org/orderform.pdf and for the Big Value pack you get a variety of fresh meats, Fish and Produce.  I find that we actually eat more fruits and veggies since starting the programs than before.  We are actually eating better

How long is the box's food meant to last?

According to Angel it should be able to feed a family of 4 for a week. Like I said I plan monthly menus around the items from both.

 As a vegetarian, I've not found them appealing.

I am not sure there are meat items with both.  I don't know about share in co but the one in Wisconsin you can pick what you want so you could opt not to get the meat items.  Or you could always order with a friend who is not vegetarian and divide everything up

 

and what's the sweet deal with these programs?

I always get the Chicken Nuggets from share each month, when they have shredded beef I get extra for 1.75 it is a good deal.  They had turkey Mignon for 1.5 for four.  I also find the produce a good deal as well.

Hope that helps

Shannon

About the ethics of Angel Food -- these are not just for poor. By buying a box you aren't taking away from someone else who might have a greater need than you do. Also, a dollar ( I believe that is the correct amount) goes to the church or sponsoring organization. Many organizations also have a way you can buy a box to be donated to a family in need. I know people who buy a box for themselves and a box for another family. By stretching my food dollars I have more money to donate.

What's the sweet deal? You do save money, how much you save varies based on the cost of groceries in your area. Also, it's easy one-stop shopping. Less tripes to the grocery store means less items bought on impulse.

You folks are awesome. I have some good on the ground points of view for the article.

I'm still figuring out how to get door to door organics to my door, which is behind security doors.

With Pat's permission, I'd like to link the story when it goes online.

truepeacenik:

With Pat's permission, I'd like to link the story when it goes online.

Definitely link to it! I'm sure there are many here (including me) who would love to read it.

truepeacenik:

I'm still figuring out how to get door to door organics to my door, which is behind security doors.

Is this the official "Door to Door Organics" from Denver? I used to have them deliver, but quit when I started being more aware of local produce. Some of their stuff is shipped from far away, but it is nice to have the boxes delivered with a good assortment.

 We've been using Angel Food for a couple of months and have been very happy with the quality, both of the meats (often vacuum-packed) and the produce, as well as the efficiency of the whole operation.  Once in a while they include something we don't like.  For example, high fructose corn syrup is one ingredient we try to avoid, and the spaghetti sauce they include usually has it.  But that's about my only "complaint".  I like to think that I'm helping not only my budget and AFM itself, but also the people who grow those apples, pears, onions, potatoes and so on.  Since AFM is national, they'd have to be a pretty big customer for these growers.  It's a win-win-win on all fronts, I think.