Below is a list of 4 different food plans as outlined by the USDA. Each plan represents a healthful and nutritious diet including grains, vegetables, fruit, milk products, meat and beans, and other foods such as fats, oils, soda, fruit drinks and sweets. Each Plan assumes that all purchased food is consumed at home. Please read through the information for each plan, choose your food plan and write the per month average cost for your food plan on your worksheet. For more information about the different food plans, visit the USDA website at http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/

1. Thrifty Food Plan

 

Males (age 14-18)
$161.20* per month for food (+) plus $20.00 per month for non-food items = $181.20 total cost for food and non-food items.

Females (age 14-18)
$154.50* per month for food (+) plus $20.00 per month for non-food items = $174.50 total cost for food and non-food items.

* Average monthy cost for Groceries by age group under this plan, based on the Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels, U.S. Average, February 2011.

The Thrifty Food Plan provides a healthy minimum cost meal plan that shows how a nutritious diet may be achieved with limited resources. The plan includes more vegetables, fruits, and milk products, the same amount of meat and beans (lower cost meats) as the other plans, but less other foods, such as fats, oils, soda, fruit drinks and sweets. The Thrifty Food Plan has become the basis for maximum food stamp allotments (low income populations).

Non-Food Items: Please include the cost of non-food items after choosing your food plan. Non-food items could be such things as laundry soap, bar soap, dish soap, toilet paper, kleenex, shampoo, hair care products, deodorant, toothpaste, cosmetics, perfume, household cleaning supplies, etc.



2. Low-Cost Food Plan

 

Males (age 14-18)
$225.90* per month for food (+) plus $30.00 per month for non-food items = $255.90 total cost for food and non-food items.

Females (age 14-18)
$191.70* per month for food (+) plus $30.00 per month for non-food items = $221.70 total cost for food and non-food items.

* Average monthy cost for Groceries by age group under this plan, based on the Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels, U.S. Average, February 2011.

The Low-Cost Food Plan includes:

  • the same amounts of milk and whole fruits as the Moderate-Cost and Liberal Food Plans.
  • equal amounts of poultry (chicken & turkey), beef and pork, but in lesser amounts.
  • more potato products and lesser amounts of dark green vegetables since potatoes are an inexpensive form of nutrients.
  • more soft drinks, sodas, fruit drinks, and ades then the the Moderate-Cost and Liberal Food Plans.

Non-Food Items: Please include the cost of non-food items after choosing your food plan. Non-food items could be such things as laundry soap, bar soap, dish soap, toilet paper, kleenex, shampoo, hair care products, deodorant, toothpaste, cosmetics, perfume, household cleaning supplies, etc.



3. Moderate-Cost Food Plan

 

Males (age 14-18)
$282.20* per month for food (+) plus $40.00 per month for non-food items = $322.20 total cost for food and non-food items.

Females (age 14-18)
$230.00* per month for food (+) plus $40.00 per month for non-food items = $270.00 total cost for food and non-food items.

* Average monthy cost for Groceries by age group under this plan, based on the Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels, U.S. Average, February 2011.

The Moderate-Cost Food Plan includes:

  • larger quantities of all food groups except for the same amounts of milk and whole fruits as the Low-Cost and Liberal Food Plans.
  • larger amounts of poultry (chicken & turkey) and lesser amounts of beef and pork then other plans.
  • more potato products and lesser amounts of dark green vegetables since potatoes are an inexpensive form of nutrients.

Non-Food Items: Please include the cost of non-food items after choosing your food plan. Non-food items could be such things as laundry soap, bar soap, dish soap, toilet paper, kleenex, shampoo, hair care products, deodorant, toothpaste, cosmetics, perfume, household cleaning supplies, etc.



4. Liberal Food Plan

 

Males (age 14-18)
$326.60* per month for food (+) plus $50.00 per month for non-food items = $376.60 total cost for food and non-food items.

Females (age 14-18)
$283.40* per month for food (+) plus $50.00 per month for non-food items = $333.40 total cost for food and non-food items.

* Average monthy cost for Groceries by age group under this plan, based on the Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels, U.S. Average, February 2011.

The Liberal Food Plan includes:

  • larger quantities of all food groups except for the same amounts of milk and whole fruits as the Low-Cost and Moderate-Cost Food Plans, but with more expensive, exotic fruits to satisfy the taste of the consumer.
  • more whole grain cereals because such cereals tend to be more expensive.
  • more dark green vegetables and lesser amounts of potatoes.
  • more expensive cuts of beef and pork (STEAK) and very little chicken or turkey.
  • the use of name brand products when preparing recipes.

Non-Food Items: Please include the cost of non-food items after choosing your food plan. Non-food items could be such things as laundry soap, bar soap, dish soap, toilet paper, kleenex, shampoo, hair care products, deodorant, toothpaste, cosmetics, perfume, household cleaning supplies, etc.


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