Anyone for a Dollar tree challenge?

[mo mauser]

Recent posts on dollar tree reminded me of a challenge I had with several co workers a year or so ago to create the cheapest meal for two following the American diabetes association's guidelines. I won with a meal costing $7.06. Not bad for two people.

So I propose a challenge creating a meal of around 2000 calories (one person) or 4000 (two person which may be easier) that is packable and has over a 12 month self life and is economical thus being purchased at your local dollar tree or equivalent. Can it be done?

 

[Survivor Johnny]

American diabetes association's guidelines

can it be just a meal or does it have follow some guidelines (over calorie)?

 

[Laufen]

That's a hell of a lot of calories for one meal. Does the dollar tree have any fresh veggies or are you limited to canned or processed food?
There are some good survivalesque deals at dollar stores, but I don't like to skimp on food if I can help it.

 

[mo mauser]

Calories were based on FEMA guideline I believe as I'll have to relocate my source. USCG is 800 per meal per day so it could adjusted as a daily intake. I was thinking on the lines of a dollar tree mre. I am open to suggestions on the criteria. I thought if enough people try it would make a good shopping list for survival food stores.

 

[Survivor Johnny]

ultra high calorie foods. Such foods include: nuts, peanut butter, chocolate, butter, oils, snack chips and crackers, pepperoni, and pre-packaged cooked bacon

credit: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00034#.UcHeKNhklLA

it is common for ultralight backpackers to try to achieve 125-150 calories per ounce of carried food so a meal would be in neighborhood of 3.25OZ

 

[Lockout]

Recent posts on dollar tree reminded me of a challenge I had with several co workers a year or so ago to create the cheapest meal for two following the American diabetes association's guidelines. I won with a meal costing $7.06. Not bad for two people.

So I propose a challenge creating a meal of around 2000 calories (one person) or 4000 (two person which may be easier) that is packable and has over a 12 month self life and is economical thus being purchased at your local dollar tree or equivalent. Can it be done?

dollar tree sells food???

 

[dial1911]

I'm game for a meal challenge.

It might be good to give the food content some weighting factors- such as plus "X" points per gram of protein and/or minus "X" points per gram for saturated fat. Just a thought. Or just base it on a minumum calorie content and cover the basic food groups... I.e. slim jims and pop corn.

 

[dial1911]

dollar tree sells food???

Not sure about "dollar tree" but Big Lots, Family Dollar, etc. all do.

 

[jmc10129]

dollar tree sells food???

dollar general has a market now.

 

[mo mauser]

Incorporating the food groups is a good idea.