Good luck to all people commenting here, I am amazed by the creativity of people. Never eat out is the best saver. But eating healthy is not easy, white products are not the same quality like some people think.

Cooking large meals and freeze food for later is the best to do I believe. I live in Brussels and food is so expensive here that I cannot even think to live on 25 a week.

Although I earn above average, I am very proud of myself that I never eat Fast food, never eat sweets, cakes and only a few times per week meat.

In europe every year more and more people need to get food help from what we call food banks.

So bottom line, I support all of you here without needing to and I feel good, healthy and proud like you!!!

Geeze, if a middle class house didn't cost over half a million dollars, we'd have money to eat.  That's it, I'm getting a negative ARM for a gingerbread house!!!

What an interesting challenge! While I try to watch what I spend, and the only debt I have is my mortgage, I really haven't taken a close look at what I spend on groceries. I think it's time to take the $25 test myself.

And, yes, with the economy headed the way that it is it's definitely an idea whose time has come.

I don't buy groceries and buy different types of take out for my family. I save energy, no waste, have left overs, save on water, save on doing dishes. It works out to be the same as buying groceries. I know this sounds bad, but just think about it - how much does it cost to run your stove/oven each day @ 425F?

Come on people, I'm still doing it.  Want to have fun?  feed a family of 5 for 2 weeks on $150.  Payday is Friday, but I'm struggling to get costumes, so there's no way I'll buy the pizza I've been craving for a month now!  School lunch is getting high, but it's still cheaper then packing a lunch.  

BTW, I've volunteered at food banks, and most of the food they give out is expired.  So, too much for assistance, with the gas prices no longer enough for food.  Welcome to the new America

I think it's revealing that the people harping on others for taking food stamps have never been on them - those who have highlight that it's temporary, and necessary while people get on their feet.  A few people game the system, but that's no reason to let the majority starve.  I like the idea of making it into more of a WIC-type program, but that requires more money - and the repubs will let hell freeze over before voting for more money for public programs.  Let's teach more people how to cook, and to not eat meat constantly, and we'll save lots of money.

I spend $25-30 a week, as a college student, and my housemates and I share food too.  It's doable, but I buy maybe a head of romaine, a cucumber, an onion or two, and a few apples a week.  Produce is expensive! (Even in the midwest and at farmer's markets)

The government bailed out the financial sector to the tune of $800 billion, ensuring the richest of the rich stay rich, and people have the audacity to complain about food stamps.

Class warfare isn't war between the rich and the poor, or the poor and the rich, it's about making relatively poor people resent other relatively poor people.

Every commenter who has compared his or her own food and meal budget strategy has included how important the meal preparation and food storage is, as well as shopping for sales at places with a wide array of food choices.

Many struggling to eat live in urban or rural areas which don't have accessible full service grocery stores with competitive pricing.  They may have the equivalent of a 7-11.  typically, prices are much higher, fresh fruits and vegetables are very limited, if sold at all, and most of the food is frozen, high fat and of relatively low nutritional value.

Then there is the issue of preparation and storage.  Many do not have working stoves, ovens and refrigerators and freezers.

That limits food choices incredibly.

So I ask you try a second version of the experiment:

On a $25/week budget, you must use public transportation to get to the place where you will buy food.  It must accept food stamps, and it should not be a full service grocers.

You must prepare and store it without refrigeration, freezing, or using an oven.  I'll make it easy and allow a top burner, crockpot or toaster oven.

Give that a whirl and share your experiences.

Food Stamps are supposed to be used hand in hand with a person's own money. Not as a sole source of money for food. Sheesh. You have $25 in food stamps, and $20 in cash. You now have $45. Go Shop at the farmer's market.

Somehow I manage to buy my own groceries in Atlanta on $25 a week by avoiding shopping at "name" stores. (Publix/Kroger.)

Give me a break. No sympathy for these fools.

Annie: 25 cans of Chef Boy R Dee. If the person doesn't want more for themselves than those conditions, what they put into their bodies should be no issue either. 7-11's sell Ramen. Canned Soups and other items that can be fixed with little more than a can opener and an open flame.

People need to stop expecting the government to take care of them.