What’s in your fridge?

[happily single]

I’m sure many of you can relate when I say grocery shopping becomes so tedious and repetitive. I’m guilty of checking out other shopping carts to see what they are buying. Just today I wanted to high-five the guy in the produce aisle. He had all my weekly supplies (Fresca soda, coffee cream, carrots and hamburger).

Anywho, I have a family member at the end stages of a terminal disease. I cook and deliver food 1-2x a week for them and their spouse, focusing on things that the terminal one can eat. because of the illness they are very limited on what they can eat.

As I was leaving today their spouse mentioned in passing that they never have food in the fridge, only whatever I cook, or other meals that are gifted to them. They absolutely have the funds for food, but between the spouse working and caring for the sick patient food shopping is low on their list of priorities. I’ve decided to “fill the fridge” on my next visit. If I were to ask what they need I’d get the “nothing”.

So..what stales do you keep in your fridge? I always have iced coffee, milk, coffee cream, deli meat and protein shakes. I try to keep some cut fruit. Oh, I always have butter. Lots and lots of butter.

 

[leebee]

Milk, half-n-half, butter, cheese, eggs, cream cheese, carrots, celery, peppers, bags of salad (really quick and easy to put together), jam, yogurt, juice. Regular pantry staples include cereal, oatmeal, bread, bagels, tortillas, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, mac-n-cheese, canned tomato soup, peanut butter, sometimes chips or tortilla chips. With some deli meat, one could easily throw together some basic meals.
(Not going to include baking staples like flour, sugar, etc. I'm thinking these folks won't be doing a lot of baking.)

 

[barkley]

I'm going to go with the fridge staples I don't rely on to cook full meals since it sounds like that's being taken care of-

bread (plain white)
other bread product (bagels or rasin cinnamon)
tortillas

milk
cheese (shredded and sliced b/c the shredded can be used w/tortillas for quick quesadillas, sliced for sandwich/esp grilled cheese and on top of baked potatos)
eggs
sour cream (I always have some potatoes on hand-easy to bake and top with cheese, sour cream or canned chili from the pantry)
butter
flavored cream cheese (if we have bagels)

bacon bits (quick to toss into scrambled eggs/again on potatoes)
mayo and pickle relish (tuna is on pantry shelf)
jam

potatoes (as explained above)
tomatos (sliced for sandwiches if we have deli meat otherwise I eat them with a variety of dressings).


lots of staples in the fridge freezer but the one that comes to mind for quick and easy meals-small premeasured containers with pre-cooked ground beef. you can microwave them in minutes to toss into jarred pasta sauce, manwich sauce or season with taco seasoning to make a meaty quesadilla or (with pantry canned refried beans) burritos.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This is very nice of you to do.

Fresh fruit (apples, oranges, nectarines, plums, canteloupe or melon, etc.)
Yogurt, various types (Chobani for morning and types like banana cream or maple for later in day)
Chobani protein shakes (can be pricey, watch for them on sale)
Applesauce
Fruit cups
Puddings/jello, individual (good for sick person)
Eggo type waffles and maple syrup (sugar free if diabetic)
Bagels and cream cheese
English muffins
Block cheese like pepper jack or Monterey jack/crackers
Eggs
Heat and serve bacon or frozen breakfast sausage (we cook a lot of breakfasts but not everyone will, so make it easy)
Individually wrapped American cheese
Cold cuts (maybe vacuum sealed to last longer?)
Cans of tuna and/or chicken (cabinet stock but handy)
Loaf of good bread
Rotisserie chicken
Bell pepper, red onion, lettuce, celery, carrots
Jar of garlic
Chicken stock (for soup)

Personally I think Aldi’s would be a great place to shop for much of this if you have one near you.

You may also investigate what types of online ordering and grocery delivery are available in their area and help them get that set up on their computer or tablet and help them through first order.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This is very nice of you to do.

Fresh fruit (apples, oranges, nectarines, plums, canteloupe or melon, etc.)
Yogurt, various types (Chobani for morning and types like banana cream or maple for later in day)
Chobani protein shakes (can be pricey, watch for them on sale)
Applesauce
Fruit cups
Puddings/jello, individual (good for sick person)
Eggo type waffles and maple syrup (sugar free if diabetic)
Bagels and cream cheese
English muffins
Block cheese like pepper jack or Monterey jack/crackers
Eggs
Heat and serve bacon or frozen breakfast sausage (we cook a lot of breakfasts but not everyone will, so make it easy)
Individually wrapped American cheese
Cold cuts (maybe vacuum sealed to last longer?)
Cans of tuna and/or chicken (cabinet stock but handy)
Loaf of good bread
Rotisserie chicken
Bell pepper, red onion, lettuce, celery, carrots
Jar of garlic
Chicken stock (for soup)

Personally I think Aldi’s would be a great place to shop for much of this if you have one near you.

You may also investigate what types of online ordering and grocery delivery are available in their area and help them get that set up on their computer or tablet and help them through first order.

I forgot to add berries and grapes. Older people enjoy fresh fruit. I would just get a small amount of each fruit.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Definitely a jug of Publix iced tea.