Ask the Internet: $25 Grocery List From Scratch?

This week’s question is related to the $25 Food Project, and I’ve thought about quite a lot over the last coupla days.

Q: You have $25 to feed yourself for a full week. You’re starting from scratch, with nothing in your pantry, freezer, or refrigerator. What do you purchase?

A: My answers would have been different last Tuesday. But here goes, based on prices from a popular online grocery site:

• Eggs - $2.19 (1 dozen)
• Frozen string beans - $1.25 (1 lb)
• Frozen broccoli - $1.25 (1 lb)
• Red grapes - $1.98 (2 lbs)
• Peanut Butter - $2 (16 oz)
• Grape jelly – $1.50 (32 oz)
• Whole wheat bread - $1.50 (18 oz)
• Oatmeal - $3.69 (42 oz)
• Thin spaghetti - $0.77 (1 lb)
• Long grain white rice - $1.99 (32 oz)
• Canned Tomatoes - $1.20 (28 oz)
• Dried navy beans - $1.00 (1 lb)
• Salt - $0.59
• Pepper - $1.49
• Vegetable oil - $2.50 (48 oz)
• 1 mini York Peppermint patty - $0.10 at the register

TOTAL: $25

I figure I can deal with a lack of variety the first week, since I wouldn’t have to buy so many staples (oatmeal, oil, rice) the following week. That extra money would probably go towards onions, flour, sugar, and maybe some kind of meat (if there was anything left over).

What about you, readers? Do you agree with the list? What would you add? What would you leave out? If you’re making your own list, there’s no need to list prices – we trust you.

Want to ask the interweb a question? Post one in the comment section, or write to Cheaphealthygood@gmail.com. Then, tune in next Tuesday for an answer/several answers from the good people of the World Wide Net.