Meal planning for a week!

[Tonight1]

I am not used to planning for more than a few days so am stumped 😆

The money I have saved is for a specific purpose and is absolutely ringfenced.

I'm doing vegetarian chilli tonight which will probably cover 3 portions.

I have enough fruit in for one a day, rice, pasta, seasonings, herbs and spices, and bread.

So on £20 for the week I think:

4 jacket potatoes
Lentil, vegetable and pulses casserole
Cauliflower cheese
Beans on toast
Omelettes
Vegetarian sausages and vegetables

Sound feasible?

How many people are you feeding? That will make a huge difference in terms of how feasible. Is this to include breakfasts/lunches too?

I would also have a look to see if you have a community fridge near you where people can drop off any potential food waste/excess for sharing. We have one in our local town (at the community centre) and it's not a 'food bank' where you need to be in need to use. It's just about reducing food waste, while also helping anyone who needs food.

We dropped off a boatload of cucumbers yesterday as I'm drowning in them, but there were loads of apples as it's apple season, plus boxes of fresh bread (rolls/baguettes), and lots of random veg (courgettes, mushrooms, etc.). With some extra fresh food from a place like that, you could make up some roasted veg and have bread to go with meals.

You might also do veg soups - I like blended ones - with any random veg and have with bread, butter if you have some or can buy in.

If you have the time, you might look on Facebook marketplace as there are lots of people giving away apples and plums around here at the moment.

It's going well so far, I made a massive chilli (2 portions left), the cauliflower cheese (eaten instantly, natch) and am planning the vegetable and pulses casserole for today.

Then a few jacket potatoes with salad and omelettes then I'm done and have reached my target :)