Whenever we talk to groups about our nutrition education program, one of the most common questions we receive is “Isn’t it more expensive to buy fresh produce? Are the families you serve able to afford it?”

There is a common misconception that buying healthy food is expensive, but that’s not exactly true. If you shop right, there are plenty of affordable healthy options for snacking.

Let’s compare Apples to Doritos… really. Take our Giving Tuesday challenge: Apples vs Doritos and vote.

Based on approximate average prices as of Nov. 21, 2023…

A box of 42 snack-sized variety bags of chips is $20, or 48¢ ea.

A 3 lb. bag of gala apples is $4.50 with approximately 8 apples, varying based on weight, 56¢ ea.

While that is a higher price, it’s a difference of 8¢, which is still comparable. If you bought 5 bags of apples (approx for $22.50 you would have 40 apples). Yes, that is still $2.50 more for potentially 2 less snacking opportunities, but the nutritional benefits outweigh the cost difference. And you have to take into account that many fruits and vegetables are cheaper when they are in season, plus any special grocery store rewards pricing, and that most people will want to buy a variety of snack options - and you can still come out on top in the end.

We could go on with more examples and combinations that equate to a bag of chips, but the point is, it’s time we make cents out of our grocery shopping, and focus on affordable healthy alternatives where we can. It IS possible.

While on our recent field trip to visit our new friends at Nevada Youth Network in Sherman Gardens Annex, we toured their facility and saw that they have a food pantry for the local residents, and it really got us thinking…

Most donation drives for food-insecure families focus on non-perishable boxed/canned products that have a longer shelf life. With longer shelf life, typically comes higher calories, less nutrients, more carbohydrates, and/or salt to preserve the food. Even canned fruit, while healthier than some other options, can be heavy in sugars and some nutrients are diminished the longer the fruit stays canned.

This next year our goal is to supplement the Sherman Gardens Annex pantry on a regular basis with healthier snacking options including 🍏APPLES🍎.

If you think your contribution is too small to make a difference… Think about Sherman Gardens’ food pantry. Think about how for $22.50 you could provide 40 apples for food-insecure kids. Our recent class had 24 students in it. A small gift of any kind can easily go far to provide them with healthy snacks.

So add a note and tell us are you Team APPLES or are Team DORITOS? Either way your vote counts to helping us raise the next generation of Healthy Eating HEROES!

Comparing Apples to Doritos…