Larger bulk items are of course even more cost effective. It is possible to have a basic food store of the staples for emergency use which would last a single person up to to 20 days for around $30 assuming 2200 Kcal/day just using the range of items which can be picked up at the local supermarket. With the larger bulk saving items I reckon that 30 days food supply i.e. a Month of food per person could be possibly for around $40. The trick is budgeting and planning and the ability to prepare meals from these basic items such as bread flour, rice, pasta, olive oil etc.

Having a garden or allotment can provide the freshest fruit and vegetables to supplement the staple items in the food pantry.

I was attempting today to spread sheet a way of budgeting a weeks food per person for $15 for the basic staples. It is not easy simply because of the size of the packaging for individual food items. It gets a lot easier when bugdeting over a period of a month as some there are considerable savings to be made when buying in bulk.



Chef Anthony Bourdain has an interesting take on countering the subliminal messaging/advertising from the fast food industry.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jun/12/anthony-bourdain-war-fast-food

Saving considerable amount of money and having tasty nutritious meals just take a little preparedness.



The age of instant gratification and the convenience lifestyle is coming to a close. It is basically unsustainable. Those that prepare for the mental challenge of the change from the convenience based to the self sustaining lifestyle will be best prepared for the future. All that is required is to look to the past and learn from those who have 'seen that, done that'. Folks might even be a little happier with the change, even though they have less money to throw around.