What's your RAW food bill?

[mikeshafer]

I'm specifically interested in hearing what people's monthly raw food bill is for individuals. I'm considering going raw long-term on a shoestring budget and I'm curious if $400/month is enough to keep myself very happy on a raw diet. Thankfully water is free!

[hypnocmt]

For myself and one other person, we have spent about $100 on food this week. He has a giant piggy appetite, so much so that he ends up snatching my food if I;m not careful. So, if we can eat on $100-$150 a week (for both) in Chicago, you should be in fine shape!

[Eva]

That's about my budget on Martha's Vineyard, where nothin's cheap.

[Lay-Lay]

It really depends on how you eat, what you eat, where you shop, etc... For me a $400.00 food budget would be sooooooo awesome. I don't spend near that much.

I spend about $100.00 on stock items about every other month
and about $40.00 a week on fresh stuff.

By stock I mean:
Spices
vinegar
olive oil
nori rolls
tahinni
nuts
beans
etc...

Fresh:
Stuff I get at my local Farmers Market -Fresh fruits and vegetables

Also you can save a ton of money by making smoothies with discounted bruised fruits and vegge's (I don't take advantage of this as much as I should)

I do plant my own garden and then my weekly bill goes down even more then the above.

Big thing is not getting carried away and going over budget. I have several stables. In between I keep a more natural whole food approach. For a treat I do something gourmet. I have a raw food calender Maraw published, so I usually make one new thing a month from the calender or Alissa's book, that way I am not buying a ton of ingrediants for all sorts of things and then I come with recipes on my own to use what I have left over in ingrediants.

[hypnocmt]

I should add that if it was just me, I could easily eat well for around $50-75 a week...maybe a little more if I go to a raw restaurant for a treat.

I'm finding that I prefer the lighter homemade stuff tho' so the budget is easy to stick to.

[Vegan Princess]

I just spent $110 at the store. It was a little more expensive this time b/c I bought namu shoya, raw nori and stocked up on nuts and flax and buckwheat that should last me a while. When I just shop for my staples it's more like $60-$75. $400 is very doable. I could easily make all my meals for the week off of this and have some stuff left over for the next week. Oh and I buy all organic...you could save by buying some stuff that isn't. I've seen lists that tell you what is most important to buy organic and what you can be ok getting conventional...just don't have a link for you. Sorry.

Cindy

[DavidZaneMason]

About $60.00 per week.

-David Z. Mason

[fruitcake]

We're a family of 5, and I feed us (4 raw 1 cooked) on around $100 a week. I've fed us all on as little as $60 a week. I'm on a budget and I just can't go over $100 a week.
But that's here in Mississippi. And no organics, usually no nuts or anything expensive like avo's. Mostly just fruit and greens, and what ever DH wants to eat.

[Dj 247]

Wow! You all do better than me on the shopping. I am spending about 150.00 a week for my husband (non-raw) and myself with my grandchildren over three days per week. That is not counting if we eat out.

[Petals]

I would say $400.00 a month is more than adequate for raw food for one person~ if you don't buy everything in sight all the time!

It will take extra money at first to stock up.

Often now I try to really look for deals and spend under $100.00 a week. Right now I am trying to see how few dollars I can spend and still eat organic and well. Last week I spent $65.00.

Being local I find Fred Meyer has alot of good organic produce ( fresh too!) and bulk stuff ( 5 digits starting with 9) and the farmers markets are gonna start soon too.

[Rawzula]

Between $20 and $40 a week for the fresh stuff. I buy mostly or all organic (depending on the price).

[Solace]

Groceries are cheaper in the states. I have a family of 4 - they are 25-50% raw I am 100% our grocery bill is around $1100.00 a month at least. The summer should be better for more local fresh foods and I want to stay as fresh as possible from june to september. If you are buying good olive oil,coconut oil, cocao, goji berries and raw nuts your bill will be high.;)

[eatyourbroccoli]

that should be fine.

[Wendee]

We do 2.00 a week. We are on a very tight budget, but we manage! There is only me that eats 100 percent raw, my part of the bill is the highest...by far.

[Conscious Midwife]

:cool: Less than $800/month for a household of 6 ( expense also includes non edibles like laundry soap, toilette tissue and Dr. Bonners etc..)

3 vegetarians
2 high raw vegans
1 RAW VEGAN:D

This includes all mail order food, Wild Oats, Sam's and Farmers MArket plus regular grocery stores. I shop usually every 3-4 day in order to make my rounds and keep fresh stuff available.

I like small specialty stops and ethnic markets too.

ABC Stores (7th Day Adventist Owned) and Middle Eastern Stores are my favorite.

Definately less than 50% Certified Organic, but we do by Organic and will be participating in a local CSA COOP share deal for @ 25 weeks starting in May.
Hope this will save some $$$ plus load up our freezer for fall too.

Weekly we go through @

20lbs of bananas
2 small crates of clementines
20-30 avacados
head of celery
4 heads of Romaine and/ or 1 container of Spring Mix
6-10 cloves of garlic
6-10 lbs af apples
1-2 pineapples
1 melon
6-10 lemons
6-8lbs of Strawberries
2-4 lbs of grapes

plus an assortment of other veggies, fruit and nuts :D

[tinystrawberry]

i think we spend about 60 a week on me and my mom. probably more when my friends come over though (which is pretty often. we get pizza and junk when they come over :( but we always have a table full of fruit and a fridge full of greens. )

[Wendee]

LOL i meant 200.00 per week,minimum

[RawCutter]

It was a very light day at the market today. A lot of vendors weren't there.

8 lbs of navel oranges = $6
6 bunches carrots = $6
1 bunch beets (4) = $1.50
1 bunch celery = $1.25
3 head broccoli @ $1 each = $3
tomatoes @ $2/lb = $11.50
2 tubs spinach @$2 each = $4
1 lb sprouted wheat/barley/rye mix = $6
9 lbs apples @ $1/lbs = $9
ginger root = $1.75

total for the day = $50.00


I will be juicing this week so no nuts, seeds, etc this week.

[tinystrawberry]

Wendee - Lol, I was hoping that wasn't your budget! that would be tough!:p

[belinda]

Is everyone eating organic?

[Lay-Lay]

I'm not 100% organic.

[magglepie]

I'm not 100% organic. I only spend about 20.00 to 30.00 a week on groceries, but I don't really eat a lot and I live alone. I'm hoping that once I start making some more money I can load up on some more expensive raw foods that I would really love to get.

[Beckla]

About $300 a month.

[lovenmama]

I spend about 60.00 a week (this includes only my fresh stuff) The other items I just buy here and there when I need it..tahini, , ect.

Just today I spent 15 and that should cover me for today lunch, tomorrow's and Wednesday.

[Wendee]

100 percent organic here, unless the grocers are selling me conventional under the disguise of the organic name and price:eek:

[Petals]

Everything organic save for the young coconuts.

[billyne]

I'm not 100% organic. I only spend about 20.00 to 30.00 a week on groceries, but I don't really eat a lot and I live alone. I'm hoping that once I start making some more money I can load up on some more expensive raw foods that I would really love to get.

i live alone and that's what i usually spend too (and i like to eat!:p ) we have a market here called horrocks and fruits and veggies are kinda cheap..i usually don't buy alot of nuts though..usually only about $4 worth of pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

[Morn]

I spend about an average of $345.00 (for a family of 4) a month for me and 3 other sad eaters food. So I think if you are a single person $400.00 a month is more than feasible. However, my husband eats out a lot at lunch time and we go out to eat probably twice a week (with an occasional order in of pizza for the hubby and kids).

[PeanutBee]

Holy heck. I would love to be able to spend 350/month. I have a family of four and this is our first week of eating raw, and so far I've made three trips to the store and have spent 260 dollars. I did buy mostly organic, and that might have to change if I want to convince my hubby to stick with this. I can't wait for our farmer's market to be up and running. I'm hoping I will be able to save there.

[laurabfig]

400 a month should be plenty for 1 person. I feed a family of 4 (although hubby and kids are not all raw) on less that 7-800.

[Morn]

Holy heck. I would love to be able to spend 350/month. I have a family of four and this is our first week of eating raw, and so far I've made three trips to the store and have spent 260 dollars. I did buy mostly organic, and that might have to change if I want to convince my hubby to stick with this. I can't wait for our farmer's market to be up and running. I'm hoping I will be able to save there.

I really try to watch those dollars;) and unfortunately I don't buy organic that often. I am compulsive about getting things at the best price and I use coupons when I can (sometimes getting items for free). I have an awesome source for my fruits and veggies that is extremely reasonable, sometimes I shop at Aldis, and I also shop at Costco and Sams Club for my raw nuts cause they are the cheapest there. I also try to buy produce that is in the reduced section that doesn't look perfect cause most of the time I will just juice it up real fast or consume it quickly. You learn the tricks as you go to be the most cost effective at this way of eating. I also have ordered nuts online to get a better price than the health food store. Watching and shopping sale ads are also helpful!

[Tinacampy]

A family of 4 - we spend about $150 a week. Hubby and I are vegan, currently on 30 day raw, kids (ages 6 1/2 and 1 1/2) are not but eat meat only once or twice a week. We've spent more and we've spent less... Most expensive thing we buy are raw organic nuts - they're about $9 per lb here (near Dallas TX). Also mejool dates (those of you who read my blog know I'm crazy for dates) are expensive and we go through them quickly... :)

IMO, the Raw diet isn't that much more expensive if you're already eating organic. it's when you switch from regular veg/fruits (and meat) to organic that you feel it in your wallet!! Ouch...

Good luck!

[PeanutBee]

Thanks for the ideas Morn! I was thinking of joining Sams to see if I could get nuts cheaper there, but wasn't sure if I would be able to find raw nuts there. This is all still so new to me and I'm trying to figure it out. I will have to cut back on the organics I think. I know somewhere there is a list of the top ten things that you should get organic (like strawberries), and I should try and find that and use that as my guide for organic purchases.

[Jewels]

PeanutBee, you can find that list here:

http://www.foodnews.org/

[Nichola]

800 dollars a month.

But I live in scandinavia and its well expensive here

[StarFire]

Aloha! For the first week my husband and I spent a little over $200. But that was stocking up on everything - from nori, nama shoyu, raw almond butter, a nice nice bag of goji berries, tons of nuts etc. We went to the farmers market and I bought everything that looked good! Island fruit and veggies are wonderful. Coconuts we picked from the tree in our yard, along with some of the more exotic fruits (stawberry papayas, mangos, apple bananas, and some wonderful buttery avocados) - but 'regular kinda fruit' like pears, apples and oranges we bought and they were very expensive at the Health food store. The second week - we only spent about $50 or $60... guess I went a little overboard the first week! Some of the vegetables went bad - I was bummed... but now a little wiser -- only buy what I need - after all there are three organic farmers markets near where I live -- and they are all open two days a week! ;)

[LovingLife]

I don't count. I just figure if it's more expensive than before, at least I'm not spending the $50 a month on asthma/allergy meds and $15 each time I had to go to the doctor.

[Wendee]

Just for the leafy greens alone, I spend 30.00 a week at least
that's not including avacado, green onios and all other veggies and fruits.

Since I used to spend 4.00 per day at Starbucks for a large latte, I 'm doing pretty good! That 4.00 is NOW well spent!:p

[farong suay mak]

I pay between $45-60 per week on fresh produce, and about $100 on stock items (nuts, spices, olive oil, etc).

[lavendarJ]

I only shop for me, myself and I... I think that my weekly bill is a little on the expensive side. Currently, it could go anywhere from $40 - $60 per week. The main reason why the bill tips towards the higher end is due to the nuts. I find that lately I do a lot of mono and simplified eating during the week. It seems to be easier and cheaper that way. My bill can go beyond this if I'm needing to buy some things I wouldn't usually buy like flax seeds or certain types of spices.

I am like Starfire and her husband though - I only buy what I need since I'm only buying for myself. If I buy too many fruits and veggies, I have to create a bunch of things or pig out so they don't go bad. I don't generally like freezing a lot of things (no more than a week in the freezer) and so lately, it's not uncommon for me to be shopping twice a week. I try to buy organic with certain fruits and veggies - the ones with higher concentrations of pesticides. A lot of times, I will sacrifice and swap buying a bunch of nuts in order to buy organic fruits and veggies.

[shalom]

~ Just a suggestion~

one thing that helps us is damaged produce. We are in portland, or. , and my dh works at new seasons (a natural grocery) i know that if you pull someone aside and explain to them that you are on a tight budget, they willl often agree to *give* you free damaged produce. (because he works there, we get free stuff all the time... yesterday - 4 pints of strawberries, 2 pints of blackberries, 4 bunches of asparagus, and 6 apples - all organic!!)

...or you could work 10-15 hrs at a coop or something to get the discount?:rolleyes:

[vitavegan]

probably around 70 bucks a week on produce (organic)

i try to hit up the farmer's markets as much as possible to get more bulk for my buck :cool:

[tweety]

i just did several major shopping trips over the last 3 days to help put me further in my transition to becoming more Raw. i didnt buy all raw... but hey life is a progression, not a drive-thru window.
i dont own a car...i loathe having to lug stuff on my backpack on my bike.
Oranges get pretty darn heavy!!!

i had a car the past few days and i probably spent over $400

i bought some air-tight cannisters at Walmart to help with long-term storage and to maintain freshness. it is soooo much more organized in my kitchen.
i buy in bulk food section and hate haveing those plastic baggies around.
its kindof trashy.

yeah i spent a big wad of cash but i loaded up on dried foods so i wont have to shop for a while just only fresh veggies and fruits

Raw
Almonds
Cashews
Walnuts
cranberries
raisins
currants
dates
carob powder
shredded coconut
raw cacao nibs
coconut oil
olive oil
frozen berries
collard greens
avocado
salad
young coconuts
tomatillos (salsa YUM!)
grapefruits
oranges
Nori (gonna make raw sushi!!)
case of Kombucha
other veggies i cant think of??

i do not buy organic its way too expensive for me right now.

non-raw
wild rice
few chocolate bars
wild salmon (better than red meat..it goes in the freezer)
organic goat cheese
hummus dip
chips :eek: (until i get a dehydrator needed somethin crunchy and the jicama wasnt cutting it)
spices
homeopathic remedies (cleaned out my medicine cabinet of the old OTC drugs)
aromatherapy (finishing up my proactiv and moving towards natural body care products... i made my own facial toner w/ tea tree oil & lavendar... oh and perfumes.. yeah!!!)
bath salts
lottsa toilet paper :D
water filters
glass jar cannisters
and a tall stool for the kitchen so i dont have to stand while i do all that choppin :p

i prolly got other stuff too.. but damn... look at me...omg... im posting my grocery list on the internet.. um... can you say DORK!??? :p

[kiah]

For a family of four ours is around $100 Australian a week. Sometimes a little more or a little less.;)

[belinda]

For just me I spend probably 500$. That seems alot compared to everyone. I live in canada, does that count? I mostly buy organic, but not all. mmm...maybe I eat too much. :D

[barose]

For two of us, about $500-700/mo. Sometimes less.

[raeannasun]

If you can find an ethnic supermarket the produce is usually cheaper.
Although not everything is organic, you can get a lot more bang for your buck!!!
I go to our farmer's market every once in a while, but I've found that lately I can get everything I want and need (even durian and young coconuts!) at our Asian/Hispanic market. (K&S in Nashville, TN)
I just bought a boatload of fresh produce for the week for $20!!! (However, this is not including nuts, nutbutters, larabars, etc. - I think $50 a week is probably right on the money.)

[barose]

If you can find an ethnic supermarket the produce is usually cheaper.
Although not everything is organic, you can get a lot more bang for your buck!!!
I go to our farmer's market every once in a while, but I've found that lately I can get everything I want and need (even durian and young coconuts!) at our Asian/Hispanic market. (K&S in Nashville, TN)
I just bought a boatload of fresh produce for the week for $20!!! (However, this is not including nuts, nutbutters, larabars, etc. - I think $50 a week is probably right on the money.)


You're right about the Asian markets! I live within minutes of two Chinatowns (Oakland and San Francisco) and Oakland has a huge Asian population so there are a lot of such markets. If things are tight, I would just buy the "cleaner" items at the Asian markets and skip the dirty dozen (berries, apples, peppers) or things that may be eating in very large quantities like lettuces and buy that organic someplace else.

[RawChicky]

Mine is roughly $75 a WEEK or $300 a month for just me!

[rawenergy]

We spend $225 on our groceries per week for a family of 8

[goingrawchelle]

Our family of six (1 high raw:D , the rest 50% raw) spends $800 per month ($200/wk) and there's next to nothing in my pantrys and a very green fridge. In fact we just bought a second fridge for the garage! :cool: I could spend a lot more but I have to stay on a budget. :rolleyes:

If it were just my husband and me, we could very well spend $100 a week, so I would say yes to your question. ;)

Btw, the $800 does NOT include paper goods, etc. Just food.

[goingrawchelle]

We spend $225 on our groceries per week for a family of 8

How many of you are raw?

[Vivafree2]

For me approx 200-250/month - prices in downtown Toronto, mostly organic, but not everything, does not include eating out ( rarely but i do)...
I can make it less by having few days fasting on lemonade - i make it a monthly routine not because of the budget, but it does make a difference ...

[Carlsbad]

I admit, I spend about $100 a week on groceries, but then I buy expensive things like raw nuts and lots of bottled kombucha and prepared raw dishes from my Whole Foods store. I cut my other budget items so that I could spend more on food. I don't eat out anymore, and I don't buy alcohol anymore, so that helps. The longer I am raw, the more I will try to economize, but for now it helps me to feel like I'm treating myself.

In the summer it's cheaper because I eat more fresh produce and buy from farmer's markets and things.

Honestly, the most expensive thing about the raw life for me has been the fact that I keep having to buy a whole new wardrobe in smaller sizes every two months! :D

[Betsy]

around 50.00 for me weekly on non-staples. buying superfoods, ect raises the amount but I only have to buy those every other Month or so.

[ltcartwright]

I've only been 100% raw for 4 days, so I really can't give a figure as yet. I've cleaned out my cupboards and fridge in preparation. Where I live, there are no farmer's markets and organic produce are extremely overpriced! Right now, my options are to start a garden (which I'm in the process of doing) and buying "reasonably" priced organic produce from the store based on what is recommended on the Food News.org website. They give a list of produce that helps you to figure out what has the most levels of pesticides to the least.

Since organic food is scare here, I'll follow this list by getting the least pesticide laden (conventional) produce and buying organic periodically of certain produce. I can grow whatever else I'll need (hopefully, I'm new to gardening also). The website is http://www.foodnews.org it's called Environmental Working Group. They have a tabled format of produce based on pesticide levels.

Here's a link that suggests how to use the table, called the "Dirty Dozen" http://www.thisnext.com/item/0E43F063/C98951B8/Environmental-Working-Group ("http://www.thisnext.com/item/0E43F063/C98951B8/Environmental-Working-Group), this is the 12 highest pesticide content foods. They suggest you buy these 12 organically. The 12 at the bottom of the chart can be purchased conventionally. Good info.

[Apasaraw]

Average of $50 a week is average for my raw...hubby is half raw (if you will)and spends $50. Less when we're stocked with nuts etc and more when we need to fill the pantry. I will occassionally splurge on treats like organic blueberries and agave in bulk...or unpasturized juice if it's a busy week.

I love Vallarta Mexican market. If you're in CA check them out. Cheap fresh heaven.
http://www.vallartasupermarket.com/

[sareca]

I'm high-raw and most of the time my husband eats whatever I'm eating but he's not into raw. I spend about $75/week but I'm hoping it will get better. The weather is warming which means I'll be frequenting the farmers' markets and starting my own garden. http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/smilies/yay.gif

[molliegirl]

About $8 a day or less. Eating the fruits on sale makes a BIG difference.

[RawSinger]

When I'm 100% raw, I spend at least $100 per week for two people. That's kind of embarassing but I'm in Upstate New York. I also eat a lot of recipes as opposed to a really basic diet. And I don't even eat organic. It's still really expensive. If I had to guess, I'd say it would cost at least $100 per week for one person in San Francisco if you buy entirely organic from a grocery store. If you buy from a farmer's market, it may be less. It really does depend on the kind of meals you prepare.

[Raw Hope]

Sareca your hair is beautiful
Hey you guys
i love this thread
MORN I'm from Grand Rapids, MI
wanted to know if you were around, great advice
and were there any asian markets in th area
Keep posting that list, TWEETY
i spend about 80/week, trying not ti
the price was the cause of a couple of slip ups
but then i was reminded that i could eat simplier, just will have to buy fruit more often