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To the question about food in the USA
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Posted by: Masha19

I want one more question to all here!

I read a lot, but I can't imagine for myself What is the price of food in the USA? I don't mean any restaraunts there, or fast food, no. I am asking about the food I can buy in the gross store and cook something from it.

I have a habit always to cook (of course if I have time for it), so I want to know for example, how much the cost of food is there? The easiest food. It will help me to understand how much money I will spend on food in the USA.

Thanks to all.
Masha.

Posted by: Masha19

It seems that nobody cooks in the USA.

Posted by: RobOhioGuy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masha19

I want one more question to all here!

Depends on where you live but you probably will find that you spend 50-75 dollars per week. If you buy in bulk at places like Sams Club you can cut your costs on paper products and non perishables.

Posted by: Jill

I think you just need to be more specific in your question. What kind of food? Meat? Milk? Bread? Vegetables?

On average we spend about $100-$120 a week on groceries.

Posted by: novotul

The price of groceries where I live in the USA is similar, on the whole, to what I pay in Novosibirsk. Some things cost more in the States, some less.

Good wine costs less where I live in the USA, and I never have to worry about the wine being counterfit. But vodka, beer, and cognac is cheaper in Novosibirsk

I have purchased spanish, french, and chilean wine here in Novosibirsk that, I'm quite sure, was counterfit and was only fit to be poured down the drain. That isn't part of my experience in the States.

When I want to buy good quality vegetables (and fruits in summer) in Novosibirsk, I buy at a babushka, not in the grocery store. In the States, I tend to buy organic fruits and vegetables. They can be expensive compared to conventional fruits and vegetables, and compared to what I pay in Novosibirsk. Organic food producers are certified, by independent organizations, that these foods are grown without use of pesticides, herbicides, or other toxic chemicals. My fiance laughs at the idea, but I trust these certifications. (Perhaps, in a few years, she'll trust them, too. At this time, she hasn't experience with reliable NGO's, or reliable governments for that matter.) At the babuska in Novosibirsk, I generally buy produce grown locally (perhaps in a greenhouse, but not imported from Africa or Europe) -- and these local producers are less likely to use pesticides and herbicides for economic reasons. The small local producers here in Siberia, I'm told, cannot afford these chemical inputs.

Bread is cheaper and better in Russia than in the States. The variety of pastries and cakes here is really very nice too, and I miss it when I return to the States.

Dairy products cost a similar amount, but dairy products in the States are pasteurized and last longer and last a predictable amount of time. I never know how many days my cream or milk will last in Novosibirsk before souring.

My fiance buys meat, so I cannot comment on that. Fish costs similar amounts. I really like кальмар and we can find good кальмар here but cannot find it where I live in the States. I make due there with mussels or shrimp.

In general, though, there is greater variety of foods available in the groceries in the USA, though, than what I find here in Akademgorodok.

And yes, there are men in the USA who cook, and some of us cook rather well.

Posted by: Cheburashka

Here are the big three grocery stores in Dallas.

http://www.kroger.com/homepage/index.htm

http://www.tomthumb.com/

http://www.safeway.com

I didn't put Walmart or Albertsons because there weren't food prices on their sites although they are very big grocers here in Texas.

Happy shopping!

Posted by: Masha19

Quote:

Originally Posted by novotul

...I buy at a babushka, not in the grocery store...
....And yes, there are men in the USA who cook, and some of us cook rather well.

Thank you very much, Novotul!
Yes, babushki rule! =)))) But in Russia we don't buy vegetables at babushki because we have our own vegetable garden (till even cranberries...), so it equals babushki's vegetables. =)

Yes, it's great when a man can cook! =)

Thanks for answers, I am surprised with prices (in good way).

Masha.

Posted by: Menehune

The price of groceries depend where you live in the US. I tend to pay more in the NE and West Cost. Midwest being the cheapest. I wish my grocery bill was 100-120 dollars. In Hawaii, I tend to spend $150 a week on groceries. Just about everything in Hawaii cost 30% more than the avg mainland prices b/c about 90% of our food are imported. A half gallon of milk cost $3.75 here, on the mainland probably $2.00. Ground beef to make hamburgers will set you back $2.99/lb. Gas is now $3.39, on Maui it's reaching $4.00. The median cost of a home is $650,000 on Ohau. Over all, the cost of living here is bout 66% above the national average. Ahh, the cost of living in paradise, but at least we pay less for movies, still only $8.00.. WOOT. So it really depends where you live.

Posted by: novotul

Only about 20% of the people I know in Novosibirsk have gardens. Everyone I know there buys vegetables from babushkas.

Posted by: Kathy

Are you going to be living on a campus, Masha? In many North American cities, public transportation is inadequate. I don't know if that is the case where you'll be living, so you may want to check on this as well.

Posted by: Masha19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathy

Are you going to be living on a campus, Masha? In many North American cities, public transportation is inadequate. I don't know if that is the case where you'll be living, so you may want to check on this as well.

People, you make me smile. =)
Campus? May be a house or castle?

Do you know what does 'extreme' mean? This exchange programs are aimed on wild Russian students who are going to somewhere and know nothing. Yes, we have employer (housekeeping job positions, fast food and other cr@p, sorry for slang) but the 90% of students are not going to their employers.

Students arrive to NYC, Washington etc without work, place to live in first night etc, go on the first street, open every door and ask: "Do you have ANY job positions? Do you have a place to live, I don't have anything for this night, and for the next too, etc. I have nobody here! Help me!". etcccccccccc (the last words were pronounced by my groupmate there last summer and people helped her)

As experience sais after 2-3 days (50-100 companies and 50-100 hostels/hospice) you will find what you want and will have jobs you want.

Just not to be afraid. Americans are not monsters.

But anyways, our trips are not like 'trips to hot Turkey/Russia for relaxation and having a fun with great spending money'. It's like 'I have 100 bucks for unknown period, I have nothing, I want to earn money and I am ready to work for it till 16 hours per day'. It's known as adventures, extreme and helps you to become independent.

Masha.

Posted by: Masha19

Anyways, it's good that the USA have such prices on food.

Masha.

Posted by: dagpop

Masha,Rima will put up fresh vegetables and fruits to have in the winter time.She also makes jams as differents fruit come into season.She was a cook by profession and good in the kitchen.You also mentioned about men cooking.I am a man and a very good cook.I can cook many types of cuisines.

Posted by: BradIL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masha19

People, you make me smile. =)Campus? May be a house or castle?

You make me smile Masha!

Good luck moving into a house or a castle!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masha19

This exchange programs are aimed on wild Russian students who are going to somewhere and know nothing. Yes, we have employer (housekeeping job positions, fast food and other cr@p, sorry for slang) but the 90% of students are not going to their employers. . . Students arrive to NYC, Washington etc without work, place to live in first night etc, go on the first street, open every door and ask: "Do you have ANY job positions? Do you have a place to live, I don't have anything for this night, and for the next too, etc. I have nobody here! Help me!". etcccccccccc (the last words were pronounced by my groupmate there last summer and people helped her)

WHAT KIND OF EXCHANGE PROGRAM IS THIS? How long will you be here?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masha19

Its known as adventures, extreme and helps you to become independent.

I hope someone keeps you out of the urban ghettos... it can be dangerous to walk in certain areas. VERY DANGEROUS! Udachi!

Masha.[/QUOTE]

Posted by: Masha19

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradIL

WHAT KIND OF EXCHANGE PROGRAM IS THIS? How long will you be here?

"Work and Travel USA", it's from 2 to 4 months. Also there will be students who have programs aimed for working in the USA from 6 to 12 months.

Hurrah! =) I got my visa two days ago! Hurrah! People, it's easy, even for unmarried woman! You should have clever face, very good oral skills in English to make conversation spontaneous and to talk them what they WANT to hear form you! =) All dreams come true.

Masha.

P.S. If you have any questions (what they asked me in embassy, my answers, etc) write me PM! I am experienced in getting USA visa!