January 10, 2009

January 5 - Money, Money, Money

We need a budget.  Can a family of 2 with your average income live locally and sustainably?  If you read 100 Mile Diet: Local Eating for Global Change, it says:

Was it expensive?

Again, only in the beginning.  Most of us pay a big premium for out-of-season foods like cherries in winter or prepared foods like spaghetti sauce, usually with a long list of ingredients we might prefer not to have in our bodies.  Eating locally, we bought fresh ingredients in season and direct from the farmer - and we were often buying bulk.  We preserved enough food for the winter that we rarely had to buy groceries.  Our bet?  Most people eating a typical diet could save money by eating locally.

 

However, there is no total dollar amount mentioned.  So how much does a 100 Mile Diet cost annually?  I went to our local library today and came across a flyer “Facts About Basic Food”.  It’s a Washington State program that helps low-income family with their food needs, www.foodhelp.wa.gov.  The flyer states that to qualify a household of 2 needs to make up to $2,334 a month.  The program will give them $323 a month in food assistance.  These are just good numbers to start my budget planning.  ($2,334 + $323) x 12 months = $31,884.  Can a person live sustainably and organically on $32,000 (for everything, not just food) a year?

I posted a question to James and Alisa on their site.  I hope they answer. 

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