Oct 08 2009
Angel Food Ministries
I recently tried Angel Food Ministries and was pleasantly surprised with the quality and quantity of the food for the price. For $30 you get a selection of foods from their monthly menu, the idea being that you can feed a family of four for a week of dinners with the foods. I have found that I have to add in some of my own foods, but for the most part it’s a wonderful way to stock your freezer for very little money. This month (October) I have decided that I will order again, and then post what I am planning on making with each of the items, to give you an idea of a typical Angel Food menu.
1.5 lbs New York Strip Steaks (3×8oz) - I have found that these steaks are not the best quality for grilling, but they are great in stir fry, but this month I am planning on chopping them up and making beef stew in the slow cooker. I will buy potatoes, carrots and onions.
1 lb Steak Fajita Strips - This one is easy, fajitas are always a hit around here, this will require buying vegetables, the tortillas are provided in the box.
2 lb Chicken Stir Fry Meal - I am saving this one for a day when I am really rushed, all you have to do it dump it in a skillet and heat it up. I may serve it with pitas or over rice.
1 lb lean ground beef - I will use this with the marinara sauce and pasta to make pasta with meat sauce. I will serve it with some of the mixed vegetables and will buy garlic bread to eat with it (the vegetables, sauce and pasta are part of the food box)
1.5 lb breaded chicken tenders and 1 lb fish sticks - These I generally save for lunches. They are quick and easy and the toddler loves them.
1 lb Center Cut Ham Steak - I will use eggs (also provided), milk and cheese to make a frittata
The box also comes with frozen lima beans, 2 lb bag of apples, a box of shelf stable milk and a family dessert item (last month it was a can of pears and a package of cookie dough), which will get thrown into the mix at some point, or just eaten 
It is a very good deal, although I have heard it criticized because people feel they get better deals by shopping sales and double coupons. For me though, this is excellent, I don’t always have time to chase sales and it’s nice to have at least a weeks worth of meals already ready.
Angel Food Ministries has other boxes you can also order, I tend to only order the standard box (which is what I talked about above), but they also have a Senior/Convenience Box (already portioned and prepared meals that only need to be heated), The 5 Lb Allergen Free Box (this is great for people with peanut, soybean, milk, fish, crustacea, tree nut, or gluten allergies), and A Thanksgiving Special Box (this looks like a great deal and includes a roasting hen, a ham, and all the trimmings, including a pie or cake, for$36!). They also have their October Special boxes, the grill box (7 lbs of grilling meat), the steak box (4.5 lb of assorted steaks), the breaded chicken box (10 lbs of assorted breaded chicken), and the fresh fruit and veggie box.
If you haven’t tried Angel Food Ministries yet, please give them a try, the food is quite good and a great value. Most pick up locations allow you to place your order online and pay by credit card or EBT card (yes, they take food stamps).
http://www.angelfoodministries.com/
