The $5 Challenge: Part I

A couple of weeks ago someone posted on facebook about the $5 Challenge sponsored by Slow Food USA. Here is the challenge, from the website:

THE CHALLENGE: This September 17, you're invited to take back the 'value meal' by getting together with family, friends and neighbors for a slow food meal that costs no more than $5 per person. Cook a meal with family and friends, have a potluck, or find a local event.

WHY: Because slow food shouldn't have to cost more than fast food. If you know how to cook, then teach others. If you want to learn, this is your chance. Together, we're sending a message that too many people live in communities where it's harder to buy fruit than Froot Loops. Everybody should be able to eat fresh, healthy food every day.

I completely agree with this theory - that fresh food should not cost more than processed foods. [Sidenote: we had an interesting conversation in one of my classes the other day about the fact that while processed foods might be cheaper to purchase in a store, they actually end up costing more due to the price of health care (because the foods might contribute towards chronic illnesses such as diabetes) as well as the cost to the environment. But more on that some other time.] So, I decided to host a small dinner party with the idea that I would make sure that each serving costs only $5; partly because I really enjoy cooking when there is a challenge attached and partly because I just like hosting get-togethers!

As I considered what to make for the dinner, some obvious options came to mind: pasta is extremely inexpensive, as are many frozen vegetables and dry beans. However, it's still summer (barely) and the farmer's markets are still in full swing so I decided to go there for inspiration. I overheard someone say the other day "I can't afford to shop at farmer's markets." I can see that - sometimes produce can be pricey when it hasn't been flown in from another country (which is crazy, but again, more on that some other day). Since I was on a budget, I decided to just go, purchase whatever seemed in season (at a farmer's market you can often tell what is most in season by what is cheapest), and figure it out from there. Here is what I purchased today, for a total of $15...

4 ears of corn, 2 giant eggplant, 4 pounds of potatoes, 4 onions, a bunch of carrots, and a bunch of beets

Check back next week to see what I ended up making with this bounty (your guess is as good as mine at this point)! And consider this challenge as you cook dinner on Saturday night. Even if you don't sign up through the challenge website, it's good to think about the fact that a $5 meal doesn't have to come in a box or takeout container.