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Need cheap recipes for large homeless crowd

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BRAdmin
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Affordable Meal Ideas for a Large Homeless Population

The homeless day center where I work has seen a significant increase in the number of individuals seeking assistance, with daily meals for 125-150 people at breakfast and lunch.

Although we receive meal donations regularly, there are days when we need to prepare the food ourselves.

With rising food costs, I’m looking for budget-friendly recipes that can feed this large group. We have access to a fully equipped commercial kitchen, so I want to move beyond just sandwiches and oatmeal. Our goal is to provide nutritious, hearty meals that truly support those we serve.

Any suggestions for affordable and satisfying recipes? Thank you!

Comments

One response to “Need cheap recipes for large homeless crowd”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    It’s great to hear that you’re looking for hearty and affordable meal options for such a large group. Here are some ideas for recipes that can feed a crowd while keeping costs down:

    1. Vegetable and Bean Chili

    • Ingredients: Kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, zucchini, corn, and chili spices.
    • Instructions: Sauté onions and peppers in a large pot, add chopped zucchini and corn, then add beans and tomatoes. Season with chili spices and simmer. Serve with bread.

    2. Pasta Primavera

    • Ingredients: Pasta (like penne or rotini), seasonal vegetables (broccoli, carrots, bell peppers), garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.
    • Instructions: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Sauté garlic and vegetables in olive oil until tender, mix with pasta, and top with cheese before serving.

    3. Rice and Bean Bowls

    • Ingredients: Brown rice, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, avocado (if affordable), and taco seasoning.
    • Instructions: Cook rice, mix with rinsed black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and seasoning. Serve with optional toppings.

    4. Hearty Vegetable Soup

    • Ingredients: Mixed vegetables (carrots, potatoes, celery, beans), vegetable broth, and herbs (thyme, bay leaf).
    • Instructions: Brown onions and celery, add chopped vegetables and broth, and simmer. Serve with bread for a filling meal.

    5. Casseroles

    • Vegetable or Meat Casserole: Combine cooked pasta or rice, a protein (like chicken or beans), vegetables, and a sauce (tomato, cheese, or cream of mushroom) in a large baking dish, top with cheese, and bake until bubbly.

    6. Stir-Fried Rice

    • Ingredients: Cooked rice, mixed vegetables, soy sauce, and scrambled eggs.
    • Instructions: Stir-fry vegetables, then add cooked rice and soy sauce, mixing until heated through. Top with scrambled eggs for protein.

    7. Breakfast Burritos

    • Ingredients: Eggs, potatoes, cheese, and tortillas.
    • Instructions: Scramble eggs and add diced potatoes, cooking until tender. Place mixture in tortillas, roll them up, and serve with salsa.

    8. Lentil Stew

    • Ingredients: Lentils, carrots, celery, onions, and spices (cumin, coriander).
    • Instructions: Sauté onions and veggies, add lentils and water, and simmer until lentils are tender. Serve with bread.

    Tips:

    • Bulk Purchase: Buy staples like rice, pasta, and beans in bulk to save costs.
    • Freezer Meals: Cook larger batches and freeze for future use.
    • Seek Local Donations: Consider reaching out to local farmers or grocery stores for surplus produce or ingredients.

    These recipes are nutritious, filling, and can be adapted based on the ingredients you have available. Good luck with your efforts!

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