Families of 4 who buy mostly organic...how much do you spend on food per week? - Page 2

[Savoury]

Originally Posted by Adamsmama

We buy organic and locally grown (mostly) and we spend on average $150/week -- we are a family of 5.

This is us. My monthly food budget is $600 but about $100 of that is dedicated to dog and cat food (they eat organic too).

[mom0810]

We are about $300/week. This week, so far, I've only spent about 220. But I have to go back to the store today for diapers and some other stuff. I can't get out of there for less than $100, usually, by the time I get my dipes, toothpaste for the kids, some cleaning stuff, and water.. it will be at least 50! That's with no food yet.

Prices have definitely gone up. I used to be able to only spend $150 a week, but now it's twice that.

[dbsam]

Originally Posted by Savoury

This is us. My monthly food budget is $600 but about $100 of that is dedicated to dog and cat food (they eat organic too).

I didn't count dog food ($120/month)...I guess we spend even more than I
thought.

[mom0810]

Oh gosh, don't even get me going on dog food... that brings it up a lot. Depressing...

[MommyErin]

Originally Posted by KingstonMama

We are a family of 4, eat mostly organics and we spend about $150/week.

That's about where we are. I buy nearly all organic dairy and that's a large chunk of it. We're Ovo-lacto Pescitarians (except DH) so dairy is a large portion of our protein. Lots of cheese, yogurt, milk, eggs ... geesh, that's probably 1/3 of my bill right there.

[imbarefoot]

I spend around $600 a month. I don't shop weekly, so that's why I'm giving you a monthly instead. Food has gone up, and our budget has also went up, so now we can spend around $700 a month, which will make it easy peasy.

I shop at Grocery Outlet first, then our amazing blow-your-mind low prices co-op, and then a big chain last for whatever else I can't get between the other 2 places.

[2M's Mom]

We spend between $150-250 a week. There are a lot of factors that play into it. If Farmers Market is running yet, Costco trip, if DH is traveling for work, wine, etc. Those prices would include wine, which we drink frequently with dinner. I KNOW I can go cheaper, I just need the time and motivation to do it.

[SAHDS]

$200+/week for our family of 4. We have an organic garden but only use it in the summer months. I don't mind spending money on groceries, though. I like to eat well and it's one place I don't really scrimp.

[*Erin*]

well, we don't buy 100% organic, usually more about 75%, but we spend about 150.00 a week. we don't do organic non-food stuff like dipes or detergent usually either.

[mom0810]

Originally Posted by SAHDS

$200+/week for our family of 4. We have an organic garden but only use it in the summer months. I don't mind spending money on groceries, though. I like to eat well and it's one place I don't really scrimp.

Thank goodness I am not the only one. I was getting to feel very bad about myself because all the other moms here did so much better than I do, and I was really trying to spend less. I guess I just am going to have to accept that we like to eat really well and there are certain things it's okay to spend money on.

[dantesmama]

We were spending close to $200 a week when we were eating almost entirely organic. As food prices (and everything else, it seems) went up, I had to switch to conventional for a lot of things. It's much easier and less expensive to eat organically in the summer, especially since my boys eat TONS of berries.

[columbusmomma]

Originally Posted by BrooklynDoula

We spend about $150 but closer to $200 if I need new staples that are pricey like oil.

Same here.

[SAHDS]

Originally Posted by mom0810

Thank goodness I am not the only one. I was getting to feel very bad about myself because all the other moms here did so much better than I do, and I was really trying to spend less. I guess I just am going to have to accept that we like to eat really well and there are certain things it's okay to spend money on.

I absolutely agree! I pinch pennies and save on quite a few things, but I will pay a lot for some things (big ticket items and such).

As for berries, we have a city-run blueberry farm so that's free once the berries ripen. Also, our entire neighborhood street (it's fairly rural) is lined in blackberry bushes and my grandma has a bazillion raspberry bushes on her land. Which is good because DS (who is not a big fruit fan) LOVES berries.

[mom0810]

Well, as I prepare to head out today for MORE food.. and dipes and stuff (didn't go yesterday), I will keep you in mind, SAHDS. I feel so much better that I am not the only one with this type of food budget.

[Dreaming]

We usually spend over $200 a week. That also includes household items, diapers (pull ups) and gasoline.

I have been very frustrated at how much $ is being spent even with my meal planning. I'm working on finding even cheaper meals, but I'm very concerned about nutrition as well. There has to be a balance between eating for less and eating healthy (ie lots of fresh vegetables, whole grains, etc).

One hole I have found is baked goods. I often buy bread out of convenience and it's usually around $4 a loaf. That's like $80-100 a month in JUST bread. Crazy. What works for me is to use the bread machine for the kneading and rising then I put it in a regular bread pan, let it rise and bake it.
Now to just DO it regularly.
I'd also like to start making tortillas and growing a container garden.

[PiesandAbrosmama]

I just wanted to say thanks for the thread it makes me feel better knowing my 150 a week is not awful and seems average

As far as homemade bread goes just wanted to say the winter issue of MotherEarth news had a recipe that makes it sooo easy. . . 3-3-6-13
3 TBS salt, 3 TBS yeast, 6 cups lukewarm water, 13 cups flour. Mix well put a light lid not on all the way and place in fridge to rise over night. Pull out a handful like ball from large bowl of dough, 30 min before baking to rise a little more. Heat oven at 450 with a pan bellow heating up as well. Then place bread in oven above pan with a cup of water into empty pan for steam-bake for 30min!
makes 8 bigger balls 10 smaller ones through the week

[Montana Mom]

We escape a lot of expenses by using cloth diapers, homemade detergent, homemade cleaners, homemade shampoo, etc.

[Montana Mom]

Thats a lot for bread! Do you have a Sweetheart bakery outlet? That might help you cut some costs.

[Smithie]

Fresh berries are beyond our financial reach for most of the year. We buy frozen organic berries, and we planted some berry bushes that will eventually give us free berries.

[mom0810]

Yep, bread is about $4.00 a loaf here, too. I know I really should make my own, but with two boys and showing dogs.. it's not going to happen!

I spent over $300.00 yesterday, but I did stock up on some things that were on sale, like crackers and cereal. Still, I was really depressed when I left there. I also bought diapers and picture frames that were on sale, so I did spend more than usual. It just drives me nuts going to the store. But I go about twice a week!