Grocery staples - helping a friend

chardonnay24

I'm going to buy some groceries for a friend who has hit a rough financial patch. What should I buy? They eat mostly vegetarian, although I don't know if that is due to choice or circumstance. I asked her, but she said, "whatever you want to buy is fine".

I was thinking eggs, bread, pasta, fruits and veggies (what kind?), milk, cheese, cereal, applesauce and maybe snacks for the kids (5 and 14 months). I feel like I need more "meal" type food but I'm not sure what they like to eat. Frozen chicken, beans, and rice? Pasta sauce? They both work full time, opposing shifts, so they are pretty much single parents during the week. I think easy to prepare, quick meals are probably standard for them.

What are your weekly staples or what would you include?

CinemaGoddess

Do they have a crockpot?  How much freezer space?  Do they have a pantry? 

MrsPteranodon

I think it's so nice of you to do this for your friend, but I thought you and your H were out of work and contemplating moving in with family? Did I miss an update?

CinemaGoddess

What does "mostly" vegetarian mean?  Do they eat meat sometimes?  If so, what kind of meat? 

Are there any food allergies in the family? 

 

chardonnay24

CinemaGoddess:

Do they have a crockpot?  How much freezer space?  Do they have a pantry? 

They have a crockpot and pantry, but limited freezer space (standard freezer about a fridge in a rental).

chardonnay24

krptcmschfmkr128:

Before you go buying anything, ask if there are any dietary restrictions due to being vegetarian (like the eggs, milk, etc).

ETA: Nvm, I see you said "mostly" vegetarian. I'd still ask if there is anything they would prefer you not get. 

Her kids and husband are lactose intolerant but can have limited amounts of cheese and yogurt. I know they buy lactose free milk but regular dairy otherwise. No food allergies that I know of.

CinemaGoddess

chardonnay24:

CinemaGoddess:

Do they have a crockpot?  How much freezer space?  Do they have a pantry? 

They have a crockpot and pantry, but limited freezer space (standard freezer about a fridge in a rental).

Are you looking to just buy them a few things or like a week's worth of food?  Sorry if this was mentioned in the OP. 

 

chardonnay24

MrsPteranodon:

I think it's so nice of you to do this for your friend, but I thought you and your H were out of work and contemplating moving in with family? Did I miss an update?

Oh, yes. He got a job a couple months ago, before we ran out of savings. A great job with great benefits, so we've already been able to build up our savings again.

CinemaGoddess

Based on what you've told us, I would get the following:

Meat: frozen chicken (one or two 2.5 lb bags) - A half a bag can go into the crockpot and cooked for dinner then leftovers used for lunches or another meal the next day.

Fruits:  Bananas, oranges, apples, berries, or whatevers in season.  You can also get some frozen berries if need be.

Vegetables:  Carrots, celery, onion, lettuce, tomatoes, squash.  All of those can be used numerous ways during the week.

Grains:  Bread, box of pasta, small to medium bag of rice, maybe tortillas to make a kid's lunch of quesadilla using cheese and various veggies.

Dairy:  Milk and cheese

Snacks:  If they're not opposed, goldfish crackers or pretzels for the kids. 

Also, perhaps some peanut butter for snacks of Apple & PB, Banana and PB and pretzels and PB. 

 

chardonnay24

CinemaGoddess:

What does "mostly" vegetarian mean?  Do they eat meat sometimes?  If so, what kind of meat? 

Are there any food allergies in the family? 

 

They eat meat if it is served, but don't usually go out of their way to cook it. They prefer chicken and fish to red meat.

The kids and husband are lactose intolerant but no other food allergies that I know of.

NotSharknado

CinemaGoddess:

Based on what you've told us, I would get the following:Meat: frozen chicken one or two 2.5 lb bags A half a bag can go into the crockpot and cooked for dinner then leftovers used for lunches or another meal the next day.Fruits:nbsp; Bananas, oranges, apples, berries, or whatevers in season.nbsp; You can also get some frozen berries if need be.Vegetables:nbsp; Carrots, celery, onion, lettuce, tomatoes, squash.nbsp; All of those can be used numerous ways during the week. Grains:nbsp; Bread, box of pasta, small to medium bag of rice, maybe tortillas to make a kid's lunch of quesadilla using cheese and various veggies. Dairy:nbsp; Milk and cheeseSnacks:nbsp; If they're not opposed, goldfish crackers or pretzels for the kids.nbsp; Also, perhaps some peanut butter for snacks of Apple amp; PB, Banana and PB and pretzels and PB.nbsp; nbsp;

This sounds perfect. I would even throw in some broccoli, couliflower and potatoes for a stew. That could go for 2 days.

NotSharknado

If they do chicken, you can get BBQ sauce for pulled chicken instead of pulled pork. One day could be sandwiches and the next tacos.

[Deleted User]

If they'd be comfortable with it, I would probably just give them cash (or a gift card) and offer to watch their kids while they go grocery shopping.  But some people would probably feel less, I don't know, guilty, accepting groceries than cash.

kmm2150

On produce you might try some of the steamfresh bags of frozen veggies. They are plain, no added seasoning or sauce, so you can add then to a recipe however you want. Not as good as fresh I'm sure but there's also not the pressure to cook up a ton of fresh produce before it all spoils which can be really hard if you're parenting solo most nights!

BluepointToasted

overture:

If they'd be comfortable with it, I would probably just give them cash (or a gift card) and offer to watch their kids while they go grocery shopping.  But some people would probably feel less, I don't know, guilty, accepting groceries than cash.

i would do a gift card to the grocery store.  That way you know they are buying what they need and will not waste. 

MrsPteranodon

chardonnay24:

MrsPteranodon:

I think it's so nice of you to do this for your friend, but I thought you and your H were out of work and contemplating moving in with family? Did I miss an update?

Oh, yes. He got a job a couple months ago, before we ran out of savings. A great job with great benefits, so we've already been able to build up our savings again.

Oh fantastic!! Great way to pay it forward! I was really praying for you guys in that tough time

MrsCodeMonkey

What about putting together a gift basket with fruit and sticking the gift card inside? It sounds like your friends are embarrassed to receive the help, but really need it.

chardonnay24

She's the type of person that would refuse cash or a gift card, but if I show up on her doorstep with food, she'll likely take it (I hope!) I may be able to mail her a gift card anonymously, though.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

MrsT0514

Thats awesome of you to do this for your friend. I love hearing about people paying it forward to those who need help.

Mrs.AmyDylan

Lurker here...when my family hit a rough patch when I was a child, someone put $100 in grocery gift cards between the screen door and the front door. No note. No way to return the GC or say no. I still remember it and I was probably 8 or 9.  

meaglamillion

You are so sweet to do this. I would add that perhaps an all purpose baking mix. One where you can just add water or oil to make pancakes, biscuits, etc. Costco pasta sauce, and a noodles pack would provide for several meals.

Luckie519

It's really nice of you to help out your friend.  I have done this for my sister and another friend who had a rough patch.  They weren't vegetarian, so you may not get everything I have listed.  I tried to think of meals for them and things that they would need for like a week's time.

I got frozen chicken breasts, couple of pounds of ground beef,  pasta, pasta sauce, a couple frozen meals like Stouffer's family meals, cereal, bread, lunch meat, milk, eggs, fruit, a frozen pizza, canned vegetables, yogurt and snack items like granola bars, and chips, .  I know it's not all the healthiest, but it is the easiest and something quick and inexpensive.

RayRay007

I don't know what I'd buy, but I have heard from people who run food banks who say they often get the obvious items donated (canned and boxed foods), but don't often get things like flour, baking soda/powder, sugar, spices, etc.

NHbride129

veggie burgers and buns, granola bars, raisins, pretzels, milk