Why Is Mario Batali on Food Stamps?

[riderinthestorm]

122. You said it yourself, because you live near a grocery store and a Trader Joe's. You also have time

to shop at multiple outlets which I'm surmising since you mentioned a special food deal at CVS beyond the TJs and the grocery store. The pop chips sound like a regular snack which means you make a trip there to pick it up. Doesn't sound as though you are working 2 jobs (I'm guessing here but since you mention an exercise program, I'm presuming you have enough time in a day instead of spending 16 hours/day working at min wage jobs) nor do you have kids. Furthermore I'll go out on a limb and guess you have transport but even if you don't you already have many advantages over the average urban poor person.

Since you also put out a sample menu I can also deduce you have electricity, a stove, and a working refrigerator to store your food PLUS (I'm guessing) an apartment/house/condo that's rodent free that isn't getting into your dry goods (ie. another safe place to store your food).

So you have close stores that actually stock healthy food, you have the time to shop and cook (and exercise), you have functioning appliances and safe food storage. I'm guessing you don't have children and that you have transport (those two things factor in a lot!)

Even the chef in the OP, a person experienced in nutrition, food, and prep is having a very difficult time doing this. FWIW, I also have a very low food budget by choice but I don't dare presume to scold since I've actually been poor. I've got the money, time, transport, and kitchen to actually eat properly now but I've scavenged out of dumpsters, eaten leftovers off restaurant plates, debated whether to buy the can of spaghetti-os or an orange at the 7-11 with the $1.26 I found in the sofa cushions that dropped out of someone's pocket (before deciding to go for the $ menu at Mickey Ds because your hands are shaking from being so hungry and you need fat, sugar and/or carbs instantly or you'll faint).