If, like many Saratoga teens, you’re on a bit of a budget when it comes to eating out for lunch or dinner, what is your best local option? For me and many others, the answer is Safeway, the only large grocery store within the city.
Recently, I took it upon myself to try to buy as many items as I could to make a balanced meal for only $10.
Upon entering, I felt thirsty and made my way to buy a drink. Looking at all the options, I found a can of Arizona Green Tea for only 99 cents. Kudos to Don Vultaggio, CEO of Arizona, who maintains each drink at 99 cents amid inflation, making Arizonas very price-friendly.
Next, I had to plan an edible and tangible main course. Almost everything I saw that was “main course worthy” was above $5 — such as Safeway’s famous onigiri, a Japanese rice ball — which would immediately break my budget.
Disappointed, I made my way to the Asian food aisle, where I found Maruchuran Instant Lunch Hot and Spicy Chicken Ramen. This, too, was only 99 cents. Was it healthy? No. But the low cost more than made up for its high sodium content and lack of nutritional value. It has calories and tastes good. That was enough for me.
To mitigate the copious amount of unhealthy food that I had put in my cart, I went on a hunt for some fruits and vegetables. As expected, Safeway had a wide variety to choose from — though these days they are not at a reasonable price.
I was distraught to realize that a small container of strawberries had a hefty price tag of $7.
Looking through the health aisle, I found a Boost Bento that could cover my nutrients, containing cheese, cinnamon roasted almonds and blueberries. It didn’t exactly look fresh, but I needed to fill up my daily nutrients. For $2.99, this Bento Box was among my most expensive purchases for the challenge, yet it contained a good mix for a filling meal.
To top everything off, I decided to get a sweet treat (as if my meal wasn’t already unhealthy enough). Of all the packs of chocolates and candy that were at Safeway, the best bang for my buck came from a medium size Haribo. I was able to snag a bag for $2.99, a little more than I was expecting to pay.
Additionally, since I’m a diehard chip lover, I bought a small can of Sour Cream and Onion Pringles, which I found right next to the cash register. This small can retailed for $1.99, an arguably fair price given the bigger ones go for about $4.
Ultimately, I was satisfied with the amount of food I got. The cost? Exactly $10 (and with tax included!). For comparison, at fast-food places such as In-N-Out, customers get around three items for $10, usually a combo consisting of a burger, fries and a soft drink.
Due to Safeway’s proximity (just five minutes away by car) and relatively cheap prices, it’s an obvious go-to place for students. Even though $10 may not go far in today’s economy, you can end up with a decent amount of food, though it might not win any blue ribbons for being healthy.
