The Shopping Game

Objective:
Students will gain awareness of the relationship between hunger and poverty by trying to create nutritious meals on a tight budget.

Materials Needed:
Paper money, grocery price list, supermarket circulars.

Procedure:
Copy and cut paper money provided in Appendix F5. Divide the group into groups of four, each representing a family unit.

In envelopes, distribute the paper money to each group. Some groups should receive $40, others $20, and others $10.

Have each family unit “buy” healthy food for one day (3 meals) for their family, using the Food Guide Pyramid as a reference. They can consult supermarket circulars for prices, or use the price lists provided.

Each group then reports to the class about the meals they planned. Facilitate a discussion on the difficulties buying nutritious food on a low budget.

• What are some of the foods we need to have a balanced diet?

• If you had enough money, how did you feel about shopping for food? What
  kinds of items were you able to buy?

• If you did not have enough money, how did you feel? Were there items you
  wanted to buy that you could not?

Explain that some families have limited resources left over for food after all other family needs have been met. Brainstorm what some of these expenses might be. The list could include housing, heat, childcare, clothing, transportation, and medicine. The Food Bank member agencies report serving many individuals and families who are working and simply cannot make ends meet.

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