Comments on: How to Start a Meal Exchange http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:55:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mary W http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817946 Mary W Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:05:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817946 When I worked we had a salad bar lunch group. Bring in one salad ingredient a week and you ate salad for that week. About 8 people at anyone time participated. Members changed over time. No big deal if you didn't want to participate in any given week. No notice required. There is an endless variety of salad ingredients and most are pretty cheap. If someone didn't like an ingredient then they didn't add it to their salad. The Supper Club idea wouldn't work for our current situation of retired with no kids. I don't want to eat frozen casserole even if it is homemade. When I worked we had a salad bar lunch group. Bring in one salad ingredient a week and you ate salad for that week. About 8 people at anyone time participated. Members changed over time. No big deal if you didn’t want to participate in any given week. No notice required. There is an endless variety of salad ingredients and most are pretty cheap. If someone didn’t like an ingredient then they didn’t add it to their salad.

The Supper Club idea wouldn’t work for our current situation of retired with no kids. I don’t want to eat frozen casserole even if it is homemade.

]]> By: Steven http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817826 Steven Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:01:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817826 Haha, this made me laugh. Man I wish I could find people my age who cook. All through college, I met so many people, and very few did much beyond reheating meals on the stove or in the nuker. Met a few guys here and there who would cook a little, but no one who would cook from scratch like I would. Still waiting for the girl who can cook. Looks like it's a lost skill among the females of my generation. T_T Haha, this made me laugh. Man I wish I could find people my age who cook. All through college, I met so many people, and very few did much beyond reheating meals on the stove or in the nuker.

Met a few guys here and there who would cook a little, but no one who would cook from scratch like I would.

Still waiting for the girl who can cook. Looks like it’s a lost skill among the females of my generation. T_T

]]> By: John DeFlumeri Jr http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817608 John DeFlumeri Jr Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:29:32 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817608 Good idea for people who trust other peoples recipes. I cannot do that. John DeFlumeri Jr Good idea for people who trust other peoples recipes. I cannot do that.

John DeFlumeri Jr

]]> By: Rachel http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817492 Rachel Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:59:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817492 Personally I'm not sure I could go for that, I would probably prefer to be invited to someone's house for dinner once a week and invite everyone over once a month, than take someone else's food out of my freezer and serve it up. The secret ballot does sound a bit much, and you would need to be careful about specialty vs ultra-frugal ingredients as *sara* @10 mentioned, as well as family/portion sizes (or just have members with the same family size). I did like the lunch group idea that bethh @11 described, though. Personally I’m not sure I could go for that, I would probably prefer to be invited to someone’s house for dinner once a week and invite everyone over once a month, than take someone else’s food out of my freezer and serve it up.

The secret ballot does sound a bit much, and you would need to be careful about specialty vs ultra-frugal ingredients as *sara* @10 mentioned, as well as family/portion sizes (or just have members with the same family size).

I did like the lunch group idea that bethh @11 described, though.

]]> By: Candi http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817284 Candi Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:48:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817284 Hmmm I could just cook what I actually like in bulk and freeze it. And no secret ballot voting required, sheesh. Thanks Hannah, I think you said it best! Hmmm I could just cook what I actually like in bulk and freeze it. And no secret ballot voting required, sheesh.

Thanks Hannah, I think you said it best!

]]> By: sbt http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817181 sbt Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:13:35 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817181 I think this would save money for those of us who would otherwise be tempted to go out to eat on those days you just don't feel like cooking. It's nice to have things in the freezer for those days when they hit, and a cooking club would make it much less headache to keep a variety in the freezer. I think this would save money for those of us who would otherwise be tempted to go out to eat on those days you just don’t feel like cooking. It’s nice to have things in the freezer for those days when they hit, and a cooking club would make it much less headache to keep a variety in the freezer.

]]> By: Looby http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817079 Looby Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:42:47 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817079 Thanks Brad @ 9 for causing me to laugh out loud at my desk, while I'm supposed to be working! As well as Hannah's comment, which I completely agree with, there is not one part of this that appeals to me; from having to come up with a suitable and original dish each month (catering to goodness knows how many food foibles and allergies) to coming away with who knows what from other people, and having to store a "laundry basket" of dishes in between times. Thanks Brad @ 9 for causing me to laugh out loud at my desk, while I’m supposed to be working!

As well as Hannah’s comment, which I completely agree with, there is not one part of this that appeals to me; from having to come up with a suitable and original dish each month (catering to goodness knows how many food foibles and allergies)
to coming away with who knows what from other people, and having to store a “laundry basket” of dishes in between times.

]]> By: Stephan F- http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817061 Stephan F- Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:57:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817061 Something we are considering restarting is a "tamale" party. We used to get together with friends and make a big pile of masa, fillings and then came together, assembled and cooked it all together. It doesn't need to be tamales either, it could be anything like would benefit from a mass production environment: empanadas, ravioli, potstickers (yum), pasties, wantons, eggrolls, or maultashen. It is a fun way to spend time together and cook. Something we are considering restarting is a “tamale” party. We used to get together with friends and make a big pile of masa, fillings and then came together, assembled and cooked it all together.
It doesn’t need to be tamales either, it could be anything like would benefit from a mass production environment: empanadas, ravioli, potstickers (yum), pasties, wantons, eggrolls, or maultashen.
It is a fun way to spend time together and cook.

]]> By: bethh http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817052 bethh Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:45:50 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817052 I belong to a lunch group at work and it's extremely awesome. We currently have three active members (a fourth person is on leave), and we're each responsible for bringing a home-made lunch to feed the group, one day per week. I bring lunch on Tuesdays, and have food provided for me on Monday & Wednesday. We usually eat vegetarian meals, but have no rules or food issues at all. It's super easy - a few people expressed interest, and we decided to just do it. It's been 2 1/2 years and no secret ballots have been required :) This arrangement motivates me to cook regularly, is way healthier/cheaper than buying lunch those days, and builds community among those of us in the group. I belong to a lunch group at work and it’s extremely awesome. We currently have three active members (a fourth person is on leave), and we’re each responsible for bringing a home-made lunch to feed the group, one day per week. I bring lunch on Tuesdays, and have food provided for me on Monday & Wednesday. We usually eat vegetarian meals, but have no rules or food issues at all.

It’s super easy – a few people expressed interest, and we decided to just do it. It’s been 2 1/2 years and no secret ballots have been required :)

This arrangement motivates me to cook regularly, is way healthier/cheaper than buying lunch those days, and builds community among those of us in the group.

]]> By: *sara* http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817038 *sara* Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:10:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817038 Great idea. I've always wanted to start a group like this except invite members of different ethnicities to cook and exchange meals from their cultures. That would be a great way to learn, and share some foods that I wouldn't normally know how to prepare! Another tip is to make sure there are expectations communicated about things like meat, cheese, or other "specialty" (ie expensive) ingredients, so that there isn't one member (as in my own experience) who always brings split pea soup, or something else thats ultra-frugal, but happily accepting the chicken and steak that others provided. Thanks for the tips! Great idea. I’ve always wanted to start a group like this except invite members of different ethnicities to cook and exchange meals from their cultures. That would be a great way to learn, and share some foods that I wouldn’t normally know how to prepare!

Another tip is to make sure there are expectations communicated about things like meat, cheese, or other “specialty” (ie expensive) ingredients, so that there isn’t one member (as in my own experience) who always brings split pea soup, or something else thats ultra-frugal, but happily accepting the chicken and steak that others provided.

Thanks for the tips!

]]> By: brad http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817033 brad Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:06:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817033 @ 7 hannah BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! IN SOVIET NEIGHBORHOOD, MEAL EXCHANGE YOU!!! @ 7 hannah

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

IN SOVIET NEIGHBORHOOD, MEAL EXCHANGE YOU!!!

]]> By: Gretchen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817031 Gretchen Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:04:30 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817031 I can't even agree with meal ideas my husband comes up with, let alone those of 6, 8 other families. I also don't have the kind of freezer space it much require. Bulk cooking is okay in theory, but in practice I don't do that much of it. Lunches and some snacks during the weekend, but dinners usually get cooked and eaten right away. I can’t even agree with meal ideas my husband comes up with, let alone those of 6, 8 other families.

I also don’t have the kind of freezer space it much require.
Bulk cooking is okay in theory, but in practice I don’t do that much of it. Lunches and some snacks during the weekend, but dinners usually get cooked and eaten right away.

]]> By: Hannah http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817003 Hannah Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:26:34 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817003 Voting by a secret ballot to see who gets to stay in the meal club? Oh my god, I have never wanted to belong to a "community" of neighbors less. Voting by a secret ballot to see who gets to stay in the meal club? Oh my god, I have never wanted to belong to a “community” of neighbors less.

]]> By: Rick http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-817000 Rick Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:24:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-817000 I agree that this saves more time than money. I would imagine that making six of the same meal is easier, since you only have to buy 1 set of the ingredients needed, and you can make all the meals at the same. I agree that this saves more time than money. I would imagine that making six of the same meal is easier, since you only have to buy 1 set of the ingredients needed, and you can make all the meals at the same.

]]> By: Kristen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-816975 Kristen Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:07:32 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-816975 If you're someone who doesn't self-motivate very well, this looks like a great way to be accountable for eating healthily and frugally (at home). You only have to get up the gumption once a month and others are counting on you. Then you will always have something good and healthy in the freezer. I do think you would want to limit the size of the group so that the cooking (and buying the dishes) didn't get insane. I'm thinking around 8 families would be a good maximum. How many does the group you mentioned have? If you’re someone who doesn’t self-motivate very well, this looks like a great way to be accountable for eating healthily and frugally (at home). You only have to get up the gumption once a month and others are counting on you. Then you will always have something good and healthy in the freezer.

I do think you would want to limit the size of the group so that the cooking (and buying the dishes) didn’t get insane. I’m thinking around 8 families would be a good maximum. How many does the group you mentioned have?

]]> By: Chapeau http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-816969 Chapeau Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:05:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-816969 To my way of thinking it saves money less in the cost of actual meal prep and more in the cost of my time and taste buds. While I like cooking in bulk, I only have a couple of recipes that I love to cook in bulk (I can only take so much lasagna, for example). But if other people have other recipes, then I'm getting new food ideas and new tastes. Having a variety of food in my freezer is just as important to me as having prepared foods in my freezer. I'm also hesitant to buy a "strange" ingredient sometimes, because I don't know if my family will like it, or the recipe I want to use it in. But if I try a different ingredient in someone else's recipe, then I get to taste it without the cash investment. And if my husband could please taste quinoa, for example, without knowing that it's quinoa, then he might like it. And then I could cook with it more often. Cause I love it. To my way of thinking it saves money less in the cost of actual meal prep and more in the cost of my time and taste buds. While I like cooking in bulk, I only have a couple of recipes that I love to cook in bulk (I can only take so much lasagna, for example). But if other people have other recipes, then I’m getting new food ideas and new tastes.
Having a variety of food in my freezer is just as important to me as having prepared foods in my freezer.
I’m also hesitant to buy a “strange” ingredient sometimes, because I don’t know if my family will like it, or the recipe I want to use it in. But if I try a different ingredient in someone else’s recipe, then I get to taste it without the cash investment. And if my husband could please taste quinoa, for example, without knowing that it’s quinoa, then he might like it. And then I could cook with it more often. Cause I love it.

]]> By: Johanna http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-816956 Johanna Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:55:40 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-816956 Considering all the arguments people here have about nutrition, I'd think you'd also want to make sure that everyone in the group has similar feelings about what constitutes a balanced, healthful meal. But how much money does this really save you? Non-perishable ingredients, you can buy in bulk regardless (as long as you have sufficient storage space). Meats and some cheeses, you can buy in bulk and freeze. That leaves fresh fruits and vegetables and perhaps a few dairy products, and you don't get *that* much of a discount for buying those in bulk. At least, you don't where I shop. Considering all the arguments people here have about nutrition, I’d think you’d also want to make sure that everyone in the group has similar feelings about what constitutes a balanced, healthful meal.

But how much money does this really save you? Non-perishable ingredients, you can buy in bulk regardless (as long as you have sufficient storage space). Meats and some cheeses, you can buy in bulk and freeze. That leaves fresh fruits and vegetables and perhaps a few dairy products, and you don’t get *that* much of a discount for buying those in bulk. At least, you don’t where I shop.

]]> By: Courtney http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-816912 Courtney Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:23:13 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-816912 And if you don't have a bunch of frugal friends in your area, you can use a meal preparation service. I use Let's Dish (www.letsdish.com) and split all my meals in half since they serve 4-6 each, but it's just the two of us. I spend 1-2 hours a month and take home anywhere from 8-24 meals at a cost of $10.50-12.50 per meal. And if you don’t have a bunch of frugal friends in your area, you can use a meal preparation service. I use Let’s Dish (www.letsdish.com) and split all my meals in half since they serve 4-6 each, but it’s just the two of us. I spend 1-2 hours a month and take home anywhere from 8-24 meals at a cost of $10.50-12.50 per meal.

]]> By: Courtney http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/comment-page-1/#comment-816902 Courtney Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:20:31 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=4633#comment-816902 I guess I would just prefer to eat food that I cooked myself. If you do it, make sure that everyone in your group has a clean, sanitary kitchen :) I guess I would just prefer to eat food that I cooked myself.

If you do it, make sure that everyone in your group has a clean, sanitary kitchen :)

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