This is supposed to be an ironic title - because as I approach my 57th birthday, I am now using Food Stamps for the first time in my life. However, as one who has always aspired to make lemonade of life's lemons, I will attempt in this blog to make the most the experience by sharing creative ideas on the best usage of the EBT.
I got through a couple of months mostly on beans, rice, oatmeal, and the gradual emptying of my pantry shelves and freezer before the paperwork finally cleared and my card and PIN number arrived in the mail. Interestingly, the PIN number arrived first, torturing me with anticipation for a full week before I was able actually to access the benefit and get to the store. The first thing I did was to run to Wegmans and pick up some vegetarian proteins that were not beans! I also splurged on a half gallon of orange juice, some peanut butter and jam, and 5 lbs. of additional rice (as I had run out). I think the whole draw on the account was $12.00 when I checked out. I need to point out that I am self-employed, my children are grown and out on their own, and the only one who needs to be fed in my household is me. And my two cats. The issue of pets will be the topic of a later blog.
It is high harvest season now in the Finger Lakes. Farmers' Markets, farmstands, specialty dealers such as Red Jacket Orchards, are overflowing with healthful fruit and produce at reasonable prices, and in bulk quantities suitable for canning and freezing for later use. Unfortunately, most of these outlets do not accept the EBT card. Also, I experienced for the first time the mortification of offering the card at one such venue and the owner not even knowing what it was, much less being able to honor it. There is shame in this, even in necessity.
The only sources of bulk produce I have found that do accept Food Stamps are the Mennonite grocery stores, primarily Sauder's in Seneca Falls. From these outlets I have, to date, purchased and canned bushels of peaches (sliced, and as jam), tomatoes (as puree and prepared sauce), and green beans. Total cost so far has been only 1/4 of my monthly benefit. I borrowed a pressure cooker to process the low-acid vegetables and sauce. Everything else was open kettle. I anticipate that one months EBT benefit would supply me with enough raw products to process as would feed me for several months. Many other staples such as dried beans, cheese, flour, spices (incredibly cheap!) and other baking supplies, can be purchased in bulk at the Mennonite stores.
I have just finished processing 7 qts. of tomato sauce in the pressure cooker; which basically was 2 1/2 hours of work: 1 hour to cut up and put 1/2 bushel of tomatoes through the Victorio strainer, chop onions, garlic, and peppers, and start the sauce cooking down. Another hour to prep the canning jars and lids, and set up and load the pressure cooker, plus 1/2 hour listening to the jiggling of the 10 lb. pressure weight, making sure the temperature was neither too high nor too low, while I wrote this blog.
My EBT card renews in two weeks. I've used less than half, both meeting my current needs and laying up healthful food supplies for the cold winter months. This is all still new to me; so I am sure others may have useful ideas. Feel free to post them here.
