I'm a Home Care Aid in WA state. I signed up for this course for 2 reasons-to help my clients eat better and to hopefully help me learn to eat better. When I'm done with this course I'm not sure if I want to earn my degree in Human Rescources or Healthcare Mangment, but I do know I want to keep going.
I have 5 clients. They compelly depend on food banks to make it through the month.
Sadly, 99% of the things they get is canned. Canned tomaotes, loaded with salt, canned corn and canned veggies (also, not reduced sodium/salt free) and frozen corn, frozen peas, tons of potatoes, more onions, rice, beans and tap ramen than we know what to do with.
My clients are on a super tight shoestring budget. So tight even the pennies are screaming for mercy.
There's only one farmers markert serving the whole county and the prices there are just as high as the grocery stores.
After basic living expenses (meds, rent, water, light bill) my clients have maybe $20 a week in cash for food, and anywhere from $15 to $45 a month in food stamps to use. Household size ranges anywhere from 3-7 people.
I guess what I'm wondering is-what are some not so obvious ways to afford healthy foods when your lucky enough to cover rent that month, and expenses have been cut to a bare bones budget?