About 2 years ago a friend told me about an organization that sells discounted food packages. I've tried it myself, & it was very helpful - especially during financially difficult times. We live in a suburb of New Orleans, & rent has skyrocketed since Katrina. About a year ago we rented a house for $1000 per month (believe it or not that's cheap now!), & it put such a huge financial strain on us that we lived off Angel Food for a long time.

Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing food relief and contributing to benevolent outreaches in communities throughout the United States. However, it's not JUST for those who are in need of assistance! Angel Food is for anyone looking to save money, & with gas prices what they are, who isn't eager to save money wherever they can??? Many families who use Angel Food have found their monthly grocery bills reduced by 30% or more. I've seen people from all different walks of life at Angel Food, & most are average middle class!

Angel Food is for you if you meet any of the following critera:

~You are a senior, a single Mom, or a family and are budget conscious.

~You are on a limited or fixed income.

~You are high income & want to save money.

~You are middle income & want to save money.

~You are low income & want to save money.

Angel Food's groceries are sold in a quantity that can fit into a box. You must buy a basic box that offers a variety of food items, & then after you buy the basic box you can purchase other boxes, such as: chicken, steak, grill mix, frozen entree dinners, coffee samplers, fresh fruit, or any other variety they offer that particular month.

~Each month's menu is different than the previous month.

~No damaged or out-dated items

~No dented cans without labels

~No day old breads

~No overly ripe produce

~There is NO LIMIT in the # of boxes an individual can purchase

~There are no applications to complete

~There are no qualifications for which purchasers must adhere

~Orders are pre-paid using cash, money orders, credit cards, Paypal, or food stamps

~Orders must be paid for by the deadline date (noted on food menu for the month)

~Food must be picked up on the designated date, during the food pickup times, or it will be donated to others.

I won't lie to you, the food isn't gourmet, but it is edible. You get namebrand products in the basic box - including a dessert item! Here is a sample menu from our local Angel Food site for the month of July:

The July specials run in price from $17 per box to $21 per box locally. After you buy a basic box you may purchase as many specials as you like! This has been a true blessing to us, so I hope you'll try it! Honestly, the only box I try to avoid is the chicken box. I find it cooks down to nothing & has a weird texture, but everything else is fine.