Question:
Is there any way to encourage people to buy in bulk and save money? Or plan/budget food purchases? — Estie Scheiner
Answer:
If people are dedicated to saving money on food, here are a few options.
• Split the cost of a discount card to a bulk food store — you need only three or four families to chip in — and purchase food in bulk.
• Look into food collectives like the Park Slope Food Co-op where customers share the labor to keep prices down. You can also start one in your community — reach out to your local elected officials for help.
• Learn to plan ahead, buy what is truly needed, create menus that are seasonal (inexpensive) and avoid meat (expensive).
• Use coupons, buy on sale, buy fewer prepared foods and buy house brands whenever possible.
• Brown-bag lunch and drink water with lemon or other fruit slices for flavor instead of soda.
How to spread the word? Advertising always helps. Schools, synagogues, churches, community centers and libraries can post these tips and information to serve as a resource for those trying to save.
Question:
It’s painfully obvious that there are many people in our communities who need food assistance. Which is a better way to help: giving food donations or cash donations to the organizations trying to help? — Eric Steinhardt
Answer:
Both food donations and cash grants are important. Cash grants are often more useful because it allows us to use our bulk discounts to get the best prices, and also because we can then purchase the food we know our clients need. However, many people find it more practical and convenient to make food donations, and this is extremely helpful as well — especially protein items such as canned tuna or beans. So tell your friends to do both if they can!
Question:
I, along with some of my friends, have moved back home because of high rents, school loans and the general cost of living not allowing us buy food. We are the sole support of our parents, and all of us have run into budget problems by the end of the month. Between school loans, supporting our parents, clothing and daily expenses, all of which are nominal. We all are having a hard time budgeting for food and live in fear how we may not be able to put food on the table. We are all making a salary in the thirties and wonder if there are any food assistance programs for persons in our situation to alleviate occasional or monthly food shortages? — Ray
Answer:
You should check to see if you are entitled to food stamps, since that is the only government benefit that is based on family size, monthly income and monthly expenditures. You can determine your eligibility at www.nyc.gov/hra or call 311. Food pantries and soup kitchens are another good option. Visit www.foodbanknyc.org for a listing in your area.
Question:
Are you satisfied with New York City’s new poverty measures that reflect the cost of food, clothing, shelter and utilities — as opposed to the prior federal measure primarily focused on the cost of food? — J. Stone
Answer:
The federal poverty level does not reflect the needs of the urban working poor and near-poor. New York City’s cost of living is much higher than most of the country, yet the calculations are the same.
Mayor Bloomberg’s effort to look at new models deserves praise. By incorporating multiple components including food, clothing, housing, utilities and transportation costs in a new poverty measure, it brings us closer to a more accurate picture of poverty in New York City. With more precise information, we can do a better job of helping those in need.
Question:
During the months of November and December, nearly every store I pass by seems to be running its own food drive and collecting cans and boxes of nonperishable food. Does this food actually get to needy people? Is it a cost-effective way of helping the needy, or is it just a feel-good gesture? — Robert W.
Answer:
Robert, we can’t vouch for everyone else, but I can guarantee that every canned food drive — as well as every clothing and furniture drive — that benefits Met Council goes directly to people in need. I would guess that this is true for most organizations and businesses running food drives. As to whether they are cost-effective, I would say that organizations are better served by cash donations than food donations. People may have diet restrictions and other needs that are better attended to when an organization has the means to purchase the most appropriate food in bulk. But as I said above, many people find it more practical and convenient to make food donations, and this is helpful as well.
Question:
What is the food stamp guideline? I’m currently making about $1,080 bi-weekly, and it’s not enough with rent, transportation and other bills to also provide a healthy meal at home. I also have two young children and would like to know if this benefit is accessible to someone in my situation. Thank you. – Nerisusan
Answer:
Food stamps are the only government benefit based on family size, monthly income and monthly expenditures. You can determine your eligibility at www.nyc.gov/hra or call 311.
Taken from the NY Times Neediest Cases Ask an Expert feature
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