The following warnings occurred:
Warning [2] Undefined property: MyLanguage::$archive_pages - Line: 2 - File: printthread.php(287) : eval()'d code PHP 8.2.35 (Linux)
File Line Function
/inc/class_error.php 153 errorHandler->error
/printthread.php(287) : eval()'d code 2 errorHandler->error_callback
/printthread.php 287 eval
/printthread.php 117 printthread_multipage



Punaweb Forum
Most expensive groceries in the country... - Printable Version

+- Punaweb Forum (https://punaweb.org/forum)
+-- Forum: Punaweb Forums (https://punaweb.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: Punatalk (https://punaweb.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=10)
+--- Thread: Most expensive groceries in the country... (/showthread.php?tid=23807)

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

RE: Most expensive groceries in the country... - punikahakaiferret - 01-27-2026

Punatang, mahalo for the lil' shoutout!

That recipe reminds me of something akin to Elvish "waybread" from Lord of the Rings, or Native pemmican, or other-such foods designed to be nutrient-dense and portable. Seems like it definitely would do the trick of keeping one full for a bit, but I think it might also get monotonous. And heaven forbid you eat more than one slice, unless you don't intend to have more than one more $3 meal that day! ;-D

Legolas: "Lembas Bread. Elvish Waybread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man."

Merry: "How many did you eat?"

Pippin: "Four." . .

RE: Most expensive groceries in the country... - HereOnThePrimalEdge - 01-27-2026

Recipe for The Donner’s Pass Stew.  Simplified, 3 ingredients.

* Shoe leather (as available) DO NOT SUBSTITUTE RUBBAH SLIPPAHS.
* Tree bark
* One other ingredient (as available)

While compiling a $3 budget cookbook is a noble endeavor, it should probably be geared toward freshness, vitamins, minerals and flavor.  As one person I read pointed out when attempting to purchase a $3 meal, if it costs $20-$30 in ingredients that may break the budget for some.  Also, some people may not prefer to eat the same meal for days, especially if it becomes stale.  

I’m sure a $3 meal is possible, but is it nutritious and will it maintain its appeal over time?  Variety is the spice of life (although spice of life, liberty, and the pursuit… was not advocated, strictly speaking).

RE: Most expensive groceries in the country... - HiloJulie - 01-27-2026

Recipe for The Donner’s Pass Stew.  Simplified, 3 ingredients.
* Shoe leather (as available) DO NOT SUBSTITUTE RUBBAH SLIPPAHS.
* Tree bark
* One other ingredient (as available) 

Clarifying question:

You know how leather, especially shoe leather, can get that white dusty mold on it? Is it proper to cook the shoe leather with that mold on it, or should it be scraped off, saved and added to the flour, water and pan drippings as an additional gravy thickener as well as seasoning?

Asking for a friend. /S

RE: Most expensive groceries in the country... - kalakoa - 01-27-2026

when attempting to purchase a $3 meal

How much does it cost if you're not withing walking distance of the grocery store?

RE: Most expensive groceries in the country... - leilanidude - 01-27-2026

suggest a human can live a good, nutritious, life on something shy of 10 bucks in food a day (does that include taxes?), how about you tell us how it's done?
---------
I, and PunaTang, both did.

SNAP card users don't pay GET on the food purchases.

RE: Most expensive groceries in the country... - HereOnThePrimalEdge - 01-27-2026

how about you tell us how it's done?
---------
I, and PunaTang, both did.

Anyone can offer a solution to any problem.  The key is, is it a good solution?  The test of a good solution is, would you accept it for yourself?

RE: Most expensive groceries in the country... - leilanidude - 01-27-2026

Anyone can offer a solution to any problem. The key is, is it a good solution? The test of a good solution is, would you accept it for yourself?
----------
We have done this before with a group of friends. It does work but takes some creativity and bulk purchases. Of corse we didn't have the "double purchasing" power of fresh fruits and veggies that SNAP folks in Hawaii have. That would have really made it easy.

RE: Most expensive groceries in the country... - HiloJulie - 01-27-2026

Here is a brilliant idea:

Let's have one of those PunaWeb big get together parties that some occasionally all talk about. Like back when PunaWeb was really great and all. We could call it the Make PunaWeb Great Again revival party.

I'll volunteer to make 1 piece of chicken, 1 piece of broccoli, one corn tortilla and something I'll let Barney decide on and PunaTang can make the High‑Calorie, Nutrient‑Dense Cake.

BUT - each participant only gets 1 choice and only 1 serving!

RE: Most expensive groceries in the country... - HereOnThePrimalEdge - 01-27-2026

We have done this before with a group of friends.

I’m intrigued. Any details you’d care to offer?  Was it an experiment, or necessity?  Did the group consider it a success?

RE: Most expensive groceries in the country... - Punatang - 01-27-2026

Having logged in with genuine excitement to see submissions by our regular contributors who I thought should naturally be eager to demonstrate that they actually care about people surviving on the margins, in our community, I must say that what I see so far is almost disappointing.  Thus far, it almost feels like people (except for Ms. Ferret)  just want to make national political commentary here on our local chat board and would rather there be no solutions for our Puna neighbors in need as that would filet their chosen narrative.  I know I'm wrong about this.  I need to be wrong because it hurts my heart to think people could be so callous and cynical. Maybe we need to just give it more time. That must be it.

Meanwhile, I have done my best to utilize the power of AI (courtesy of Ms. Ferret) to create a real world situation and solutions that overcome some of the complaints and objections I've seen so far.  Naturally nothing is perfect, and the following could surely use some tweaking, but the status quo is intolerable and we need to help our neighbors now.

Again, I ask all Punaweb family to please dig deep, look into your hearts, use whatever tools you have at your disposal, unite in loving brother and sisterhood, and help us develop this local cookbook for our neighbors in need.  Here is a sample 2 week menu that Perplexity came up with using my old guy prompts.  I'm sure our more clever, constant, contributors - given any inspiration whatsoever, can come up with much better solutions.

******************************************************************************************************************


You are a single mother of three children ages 6, 7, & 8. Baby daddy is nowhere to be found and you have to raise these children on a food budget of $3.00, per person, per meal. It's not your fault your children are in this predicament and you need a good solution that will provide them with enough calories, vitamins, minerals, nutrients but most importantly variety & hope. It needs to be a solution that would be acceptable and palatable to people who might have made better life choices. You have access to free bus transportation to Hilo, Hawaii Walmart but you can't carry too much on the bus at one time. Your electricity is covered as part of your lease due to your HUD voucher. You get a monthly food box from The Food Basket (Hawaiʻi Island’s food bank). You are able to grow some amazing cherry tomatoes, chard, collard greens, green onions and lettuce in a repurposed refrigerator in the back yard of your duplex apartment and you feel good about teaching these skills to your children. You make less than  $48,074 so your children qualify for free breakfast and lunch at their elementary school in Pahoa. Your mother-in-law has no idea where her son is but she loves her grands and at least once a week takes them to McDonlads for a Happy Meal. You sit down to create a meal plan for the next two weeks. You want to be sure to show the cost and nutritional values of each ingredient in your menu so that you can keep track of it all and submit this for the $3.00 Meal - Puna Cookbook which will be published soon. Create!



Here’s a 14‑day, real‑world meal plan that stays at or under about 4×3=12 dollars per meal for you and three kids, uses what you already have (garden + food box + free school meals + one McDonald’s a week), and would still feel “normal” and dignified to anyone sitting at your table.
Big picture structure
  • Kids eat free breakfast and lunch at school on weekdays.
  • You focus your budget on:
    • All dinners.
    • Weekend breakfasts and lunches.
    • Your own breakfasts and lunches on weekdays.
  • You grow: cherry tomatoes, chard, collards, green onions, lettuce. Use these as “free” boosts for vitamins, fiber, and color.
  • Monthly food box: assume typical items like rice, pasta, oats, canned beans, canned veggies/fruit, peanut butter, tuna, maybe shelf‑stable milk or UHT, plus some fresh produce. Work those in where indicated.
  • Weekly McDonald’s Happy Meal: let that replace one kid dinner per week. You eat at home that night.
Keeping variety and hope
  • Rotate themes:
    • Tex‑Mex (beans and rice, quesadillas, tacos)
    • Italian (pasta, tomato sauce, cheesy lentils)
    • “Diner” nights (breakfast‑for‑dinner, sheet‑pan chicken, tuna patties).
  • Let the kids choose one dinner each week from a small list you give them. This reinforces that they have some control and that the meals are not “poverty food” but family food.
  • Keep celebrating your garden by putting something fresh on the table at almost every dinner, even just a few cherry tomatoes. It visually upgrades everything.
Using the rough estimates from the 14 dinners plus simple, cheap breakfasts and lunches, the two‑week total comes out to roughly:
  • Dinners for 14 days (4 people): about 70–85 dollars total (average 5–6 dollars per dinner for all four).
  • Your weekday breakfasts and lunches (10 days): about 20–30 dollars total (about 2–3 dollars per day for both meals combined, because leftovers do a lot of work).
  • Weekend breakfasts and lunches for all four (4 days × 2 meals): about 25–35 dollars total (most of those meals landing in the 3–5 dollar range for all four).
Putting that together:
  • Estimated total for the 2‑week period: roughly 115–150 dollars for all at‑home food for you and the three kids.
  • There are 14 days × 3 meals/day × 4 people = 168 individual “person‑meals” in that period (counting school meals as “paid for” outside this budget).
  • Estimated cost per person‑meal: about 0.70–0.90.
If you only count the meals you personally pay for (excluding the kids’ free school breakfasts/lunches and the weekly McDonald’s treat from Grandma), the per‑meal number for those “at‑home” meals is closer to 1.50–2.50 per person‑meal, which fits your 3.00 per person per meal cap with a safe cushion.
You have 3.00 per person per meal, so 12.00 available when all four of you eat together. You actually won’t need the full 12.00 on most meals, which lets you “save” for a few slightly more expensive ones.

Below is a 2‑week menu with:
  • Who is present at each meal
  • Estimated total cost for that meal
  • Approximate nutrition per person (calories, protein, general notes)
I’ll focus on dinners plus weekend meals, since kids get free school breakfast and lunch on weekdays and Grandma covers one kid dinner per week at McDonald’s.
Weekly pattern (who is present)
  • Weekdays (Mon–Fri)
    • Breakfast:
      • Kids: free at school
      • You: at home (1 person)
    • Lunch:
      • Kids: free at school
      • You: at home (1 person)
    • Dinner:
      • All 4 at home except McDonald’s night:
        • That night: 3 kids out with Grandma, you eat at home alone (1 person).
  • Weekends (Sat–Sun)
    • All 4 at home for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
You have:
  • 14 dinners total
  • 4 weekend days × 2 extra meals/day × 4 people = 32 person‑meals
  • 10 weekday breakfasts + 10 weekday lunches just for you = 20 person‑meals
I’ll give you meal‑by‑meal costs; most all‑family meals stay under 8.00–9.00 total, well below the 12.00 ceiling, so you have cushion.
Week 1 dinners (7 nights)
Night 1 – Chicken, rice, and garden greens (all 4 at home)
  • Ingredients:
    • 6 chicken thighs
    • 2 cups dry rice
    • Sautéed chard/collards with oil, garlic
    • Lettuce, cherry tomatoes
  • Estimated total cost:
    • Chicken: 4.50
    • Rice: 0.80
    • Oil/garlic/spices: 0.40
    • Garden veg: 0.00
    • Total: 5.70 (well under 12.00)
  • Approx per person nutrition:
    • Calories: ~600–700
    • Protein: ~30–35 g
    • Notes: Good iron and vitamin K from greens, vitamin C from tomatoes, solid protein and carbs.
Night 2 – Lentil and veggie pasta (all 4)
  • Ingredients:
    • 12 oz pasta
    • 1 cup dry lentils
    • 1 can tomatoes
    • Onion, carrots, chopped collards/chard
    • Small handful cheese on top
  • Cost:
    • Pasta: 1.00
    • Lentils: 0.70
    • Tomatoes: 1.00
    • Veg: 1.00
    • Cheese: 1.00
    • Total: 4.70
  • Per person:
    • Calories: ~600
    • Protein: ~22–25 g
    • Notes: High fiber, iron from lentils and greens, feels like a normal “pasta night.”
Night 3 – Bean, rice, and veggie bowls (all 4)
  • Ingredients:
    • 2 cups dry rice
    • 2 cups cooked beans
    • Frozen mixed veg
    • Garden lettuce, tomatoes, green onions
    • Cheese and salsa
  • Cost:
    • Rice: 0.80
    • Beans: 1.00
    • Frozen veg: 1.20
    • Cheese/salsa: 1.50
    • Total: 4.50
  • Per person:
    • Calories: ~650
    • Protein: ~20 g
    • Notes: Beans + rice give complete protein; lots of fiber and colorful vitamins.
Night 4 – Tuna and potato patties with greens (all 4)
  • Ingredients:
    • 2 cans tuna
    • 3 potatoes
    • 2 eggs
    • Onion/green onion
    • Sautéed chard and tomatoes
  • Cost:
    • Tuna: 2.00
    • Potatoes: 1.00
    • Eggs: 0.60
    • Onion: 0.40
    • Garden greens/tomatoes: 0.00
    • Total: 4.00
  • Per person:
    • Calories: ~500–600
    • Protein: ~25–30 g
    • Notes: Lean protein and omega‑3, some carbs, nice dose of greens.
Night 5 – Vegetable fried rice with egg (all 4)
  • Ingredients:
    • 4 cups cooked rice
    • 6 eggs
    • Frozen mixed veg
    • Green onions
    • Soy sauce, oil
  • Cost:
    • Rice: 0.60
    • Eggs: 1.80
    • Frozen veg: 1.00
    • Sauce/oil: 0.40
    • Total: 3.80
  • Per person:
    • Calories: ~550–650
    • Protein: ~20–22 g
    • Notes: Lots of veggies, protein from eggs, very budget‑friendly.
Night 6 – McDonald’s night (3 kids out, you at home)
  • Kids: Grandma buys Happy Meals (you don’t spend here).
  • You eat at home:
    • Peanut butter sandwich + fruit + milk, or leftovers.
  • Cost for you:
    • Bread/peanut butter/fruit/milk: about 1.50–2.00 for your plate.
  • Per person (you):
    • Calories: ~600–700
    • Protein: ~20 g
    • Notes: Simple but filling; this night saves you money because you’re not feeding four.
You could “bank” the unused 10.00 (roughly) from this dinner toward slightly more expensive meals, but as you can see, most of your dinners are already well below 12.00.
Night 7 – Turkey/bean chili with rice (all 4)
  • Ingredients:
    • 1 lb ground turkey or beef
    • 1 cup dry beans
    • 1 can tomatoes
    • Onion, bell pepper (or frozen mix)
    • Chili powder, garlic
    • 2 cups dry rice
  • Cost:
    • Meat: 3.00
    • Beans: 0.70
    • Tomatoes: 1.00
    • Veg: 1.00
    • Rice: 0.80
    • Spices: 0.30
    • Total: 6.80
  • Per person:
    • Calories: ~700–800
    • Protein: ~30–35 g
    • Notes: High‑protein, high‑fiber; makes extra for lunches.
Week 2 dinners (7 nights)
Night 8 – Baked egg “frittata” with potatoes and greens (all 4)
  • Ingredients:
    • 10 eggs
    • 3–4 potatoes, sliced
    • Onions, chopped chard/collards
    • Small amount of cheese
  • Cost:
    • Eggs: 2.00
    • Potatoes: 1.00
    • Onion: 0.40
    • Cheese: 1.00
    • Garden greens: 0.00
    • Total: 4.40
  • Per person:
    • Calories: ~600–700
    • Protein: ~25–30 g
    • Notes: Great for iron and vitamins from greens, calcium from cheese.
Night 9 – Simple pasta with tomato sauce and salad (all 4)
  • Ingredients:
    • 12 oz pasta
    • 1 can tomatoes + onion/garlic
    • Garden lettuce and tomatoes
    • Sprinkle of cheese
  • Cost:
    • Pasta: 1.00
    • Tomatoes: 1.00
    • Onion/garlic: 0.50
    • Cheese: 1.00
    • Garden salad: 0.00
    • Total: 3.50
  • Per person:
    • Calories: ~550–650
    • Protein: ~15–20 g
    • Notes: Simple, comforting, with fresh salad to boost vitamins and fiber.
Night 10 – Sheet‑pan chicken, carrots, and potatoes (all 4)
  • Ingredients:
    • 6 chicken pieces
    • Potatoes and carrots, chunked
    • Oil and seasoning
  • Cost:
    • Chicken: 4.50
    • Potatoes: 1.00
    • Carrots: 1.00
    • Oil/spices: 0.40
    • Total: 6.90
  • Per person:
    • Calories: ~650–750
    • Protein: ~28–32 g
    • Notes: Balanced plate; roasted carrots give vitamin A, potatoes give satiety.
Night 11 – Bean and cheese quesadillas + salad (all 4)
  • Ingredients:
    • 8 tortillas
    • 2 cups cooked beans, seasoned
    • 1.5 cups shredded cheese
    • Lettuce, tomatoes, green onions
    • A little oil for pan
  • Cost:
    • Tortillas: 2.00
    • Beans: 1.00
    • Cheese: 2.00
    • Oil: 0.30
    • Garden veg: 0.00
    • Total: 5.30
  • Per person:
    • Calories: ~650
    • Protein: ~28 g
    • Notes: Great fiber from beans, calcium from cheese, vitamins from salad.
Night 12 – Lentil curry over rice (all 4)
  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 cups dry lentils
    • 2 cups dry rice
    • Onion, carrots, greens
    • Curry powder, garlic, oil
  • Cost:
    • Lentils: 1.00
    • Rice: 0.80
    • Veg: 1.00
    • Spices/oil: 0.40
    • Total: 3.20
  • Per person:
    • Calories: ~650–750
    • Protein: ~25 g
    • Notes: Very filling and warming; lentils give iron and folate.
Night 13 – Tuna pasta salad (all 4)
  • Ingredients:
    • 12 oz pasta
    • 2 cans tuna
    • Frozen peas or mixed veg
    • Mayo or oil + mustard/vinegar
    • Garden tomatoes/green onions
  • Cost:
    • Pasta: 1.00
    • Tuna: 2.00
    • Frozen veg: 1.00
    • Mayo/condiments: 0.50
    • Garden veg: 0.00
    • Total: 4.50
  • Per person:
    • Calories: ~600–700
    • Protein: ~25–30 g
    • Notes: Omega‑3 from tuna, carbs from pasta, some fat from mayo for satiety.
Night 14 – Breakfast‑for‑dinner: pancakes, eggs, fruit (all 4)
  • Ingredients:
    • Pancakes (flour, baking powder, milk, eggs, oil)
    • 8 eggs scrambled
    • Sliced bananas or apples
  • Cost:
    • Flour/baking powder/sugar: 1.50
    • Eggs: 1.60
    • Fruit: 1.50
    • Oil: 0.30
    • Total: 4.90
  • Per person:
    • Calories: ~700–800
    • Protein: ~25–28 g
    • Notes: Calorie‑dense, kid‑favorite; use fruit to keep it somewhat balanced.
Weekday breakfasts and lunches (you only)
These are cheap enough that they hardly dent the 3.00 per person cap.
Your weekday breakfast (10 days, 1 person)
Rotate these:
  1. Oatmeal + peanut butter + banana
    • Cost: ~0.50
    • Calories: ~400–450, Protein: ~12–15 g.
  2. 2 eggs + 1 toast + cherry tomatoes
    • Cost: ~0.70
    • Calories: ~350–400, Protein: ~20 g.
  3. Yogurt + oats + fruit
    • Cost: ~0.90
    • Calories: ~350–400, Protein: ~15–18 g.
Average cost per breakfast for you: about 0.70–0.80.
Over 10 days: roughly 7.00–8.00 total.
Your weekday lunch (10 days, 1 person)
Mostly leftovers plus a little fresh:
  1. Leftover chili over rice, or leftover bean/rice bowl
    • Cost: ~1.00 (incremental).
  2. Peanut butter sandwich + carrot sticks + apple
    • Cost: ~1.00–1.20.
  3. Lentil soup from leftover lentils + toast
    • Cost: ~0.80–1.00.
Average cost per lunch for you: about 1.00–1.20.
Over 10 days: about 10.00–12.00 total.
Weekend breakfasts and lunches (all 4)
Weekend breakfasts (4 meals total, all 4)
  1. Oatmeal bar for 4
    • Cost: ~2.00
    • Per person: ~400–450 calories, ~12–15 g protein.
  2. Scrambled eggs, toast, tomatoes/greens for 4
    • 8 eggs, 4 slices toast, veg
    • Cost: ~3.00
    • Per person: ~350–400 calories, ~20 g protein.
  3. Pancakes and fruit for 4
    • Cost: ~2.50–3.00
    • Per person: ~500–600 calories, ~12–15 g protein.
  4. Repeat favorite (e.g., eggs/ toast again)
    • Cost: ~3.00.
Total weekend breakfast cost: about 10.00–11.00.
Weekend lunches (4 meals total, all 4)
  1. Snack plate: boiled eggs, carrot sticks, PB sandwiches, tomatoes
    • Cost: ~3.50–4.00
    • Per person: ~500–600 calories, ~20 g protein.
  2. Leftover “remix” (quesadillas, leftover chicken/rice)
    • Incremental cost: ~2.00–3.00 (you already bought ingredients).
  3. Veggie soup with bread/cheese
    • Cost: ~3.00–4.00.
  4. Another snack plate or leftover‑heavy lunch
    • Cost: ~2.50–3.50.
Total weekend lunch cost: roughly 11.00–14.00.
Rough 2‑week totals vs. your 3.00/person cap
Putting the estimates together:
  • Dinners (14 nights, all‑family except your solo McDonald’s night meal):
    • Roughly 5–7 dollars per dinner
    • Total: about 70–90 across two weeks
  • Your weekday breakfasts and lunches:
    • About 17–20 total
  • Weekend breakfasts and lunches for all 4:
    • About 21–25 total
So your total 2‑week spend for at‑home food is roughly:
  • 108–135 dollars for all the meals you actually pay for.
Now, how does that look on a per‑meal basis?
  • You’re feeding 4 people dinner 14 times (56 person‑meals)
  • Plus 4 people for 8 weekend meals (32 person‑meals)
  • Plus you alone for 20 weekday meals (20 person‑meals)
Total: 108 person‑meals that you buy food for.
If your total spend is about 120 dollars, that’s:
  • Per person‑meal: ~120 ÷ 108 ≈ 1.10 per person.
You are well under your 3.00 per person per meal cap. That means you have room in real life to account for higher island prices, an extra treat item, or branded products instead of generic when you want something special.
If you’d like, next step I can take one or two of your favorite dinners and write them up in a precise “cookbook format” with ingredients in cups/grams, & labeled nutrition line.