Help a friend feed protesters.
October 5, 2011 8:48 AM Subscribe
How would you feed a maximum number of people on foot, on the fly, on the cheap, and from an oversized knapsack?
Let's say there's a protest going on in your city, and you want to join in but - alas! and fortunately - you are employed during the day. However, you have a lunch break, and would like to boost the blood sugar of your (fellow?) protesters. Lunch break indeed!
You have no car, but you have a backpack the size of a mothership. You work downtown, where there aren't a lot of supermarkets nearby, but could pre-plan the night before if the food was non-perishable. You would like to feed the maximum number of people - quickly, cheaply, cleanly, non-perishably.
What would you bring?
Let's say there's a protest going on in your city, and you want to join in but - alas! and fortunately - you are employed during the day. However, you have a lunch break, and would like to boost the blood sugar of your (fellow?) protesters. Lunch break indeed!
You have no car, but you have a backpack the size of a mothership. You work downtown, where there aren't a lot of supermarkets nearby, but could pre-plan the night before if the food was non-perishable. You would like to feed the maximum number of people - quickly, cheaply, cleanly, non-perishably.
What would you bring?
Something pre-packaged like a granola bar or fruit (like oranges or bananas). I don't care how nice or trustworthy a guy you are in real life; if a total stranger tried to feed me, say, a sandwich from their backpack, I would scurry off in the other direction, pronto.
posted by phunniemee at 8:53 AM on October 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by phunniemee at 8:53 AM on October 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
The MET-Rx Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Meal Replacement Bar.
370 calories, 28 grams of protein, 54 grams of carbs, 4 grams of fat, and 24 grams of sugar.
posted by Jairus at 8:57 AM on October 5, 2011
370 calories, 28 grams of protein, 54 grams of carbs, 4 grams of fat, and 24 grams of sugar.
posted by Jairus at 8:57 AM on October 5, 2011
I missed the 'on the cheap' part of this post. They are not cheap.
posted by Jairus at 8:59 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by Jairus at 8:59 AM on October 5, 2011
Loaves and fishes? I'd say peanut butter/protein bars.
posted by Ideefixe at 8:59 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by Ideefixe at 8:59 AM on October 5, 2011
Response by poster: All good points. Nuts are hideously expensive, but they ARE light. Bananas are seriously cheap, and maybe if they weren't QUITE ripe they'd stand up to being carried? (That's why they show up at the grocery store still-green, after all, right?) Or would bananas offend people?
Hell, I thought sandwiches might be good, but you've got a point about it being creepy. Although at protests the camaraderie factor might negate the creepiness factor.
Meal replacement bars: small, light, nutritious, perfect... and prohibitively expensive to purchase like a thousand of them. Damn.
posted by sarling at 8:59 AM on October 5, 2011
Hell, I thought sandwiches might be good, but you've got a point about it being creepy. Although at protests the camaraderie factor might negate the creepiness factor.
Meal replacement bars: small, light, nutritious, perfect... and prohibitively expensive to purchase like a thousand of them. Damn.
posted by sarling at 8:59 AM on October 5, 2011
Re: bananas. I went through a phase where I wouldn't even buy bananas at the supermarket because they suffered from being banged up on the walk home by the other food I bought. But a backpack full of only bananas might work.
While we're talking about fruit: apples might work, although they're not as cheap.
posted by madcaptenor at 9:03 AM on October 5, 2011
While we're talking about fruit: apples might work, although they're not as cheap.
posted by madcaptenor at 9:03 AM on October 5, 2011
Bananas seemed good to me because they are cheap, biodegradable, popular, and most everyone could eat them outside of some allergy.
posted by Cerulean at 9:03 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by Cerulean at 9:03 AM on October 5, 2011
Best answer: I have fed people PB&Js from a backpack at protests and it went over well. It is also extremely cheap. You can also set up an assembly line so people can make their own sandwiches or you can make them as people wait, instead of having a whole bag of sandwiches pre-made.
posted by ChrisHartley at 9:06 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by ChrisHartley at 9:06 AM on October 5, 2011
PB&J gets soggy if premade. (Unless maybe you put some peanut butter on both slices of bread, and then jelly in the middle? But it's been a long time since I ate PB&J.)
posted by madcaptenor at 9:07 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by madcaptenor at 9:07 AM on October 5, 2011
I used to carry apples in my car to give to the kids in Austin sitting on the on ramps asking for money. So I would go with a bag of apples and possibly peanuts. People do have peanut allergies, but a lot of people don't have peanut allergies, so a bulk container of them might be a good choice. There's minimal trash with both, although neither is completely trash free.
posted by crush-onastick at 9:09 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by crush-onastick at 9:09 AM on October 5, 2011
I think a backpack of flour tortillas, peanut butter in squeezable containers, and bananas (on top if at all) would do it. Preparing it there will save space, and squeezing the pb will save the need for utensils.
posted by hanoixan at 9:09 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by hanoixan at 9:09 AM on October 5, 2011
Yeah, PBJ fixings can work.
Otoh, to get around the creep factor of "HELLO I AM A STRANGER AND I HAVE PREPARED UNSOLICITED FOOD FOR YOU! BETTER HOPE I DIDN'T MODIFY IN THE YOGURT", I'd suggest something cheap and prepackaged. Cup-of-noodle or ramen are both cheap. That and some hot water in a a couple of thermoses might do it.
Along with other fruit, lots of individually packaged boxes of raisins! Granola bars (available in bulk at Costco), too.
posted by rmd1023 at 9:09 AM on October 5, 2011
Otoh, to get around the creep factor of "HELLO I AM A STRANGER AND I HAVE PREPARED UNSOLICITED FOOD FOR YOU! BETTER HOPE I DIDN'T MODIFY IN THE YOGURT", I'd suggest something cheap and prepackaged. Cup-of-noodle or ramen are both cheap. That and some hot water in a a couple of thermoses might do it.
Along with other fruit, lots of individually packaged boxes of raisins! Granola bars (available in bulk at Costco), too.
posted by rmd1023 at 9:09 AM on October 5, 2011
I use fruit bars as meal replacement bars in emergency kits for people with allergies to standard meal replacement bars. If you aren't near a trash can, the wrappers can be stuffed in your pocket, whereas an apple core or banana peel is too messy. Many fruit bars (I like SunRype, but I don't know if that is available everywhere) have about 125 calories. You could also go with a chocolate bar or something, but the nice thing about fruit bars is that they are made from the pulp from fruit juice and at least have some nutritional value. And you can get them in cases at my Costco.
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 9:12 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 9:12 AM on October 5, 2011
I'd say that an inexpensive trail mix (which can usually be bought from the bulk section of grocery stores) would be your best bet for quick and easy energy. But nut allergies are a common enough issue that you wouldn't be able to feed everyone with this option.
But, to get trail mix on the cheap you'd have to buy it from the bulk bins rather than getting the pre-packaged stuff. As people have already mentioned, this might be an issue for some of the folks you're trying to feed.
posted by asnider at 9:42 AM on October 5, 2011
But, to get trail mix on the cheap you'd have to buy it from the bulk bins rather than getting the pre-packaged stuff. As people have already mentioned, this might be an issue for some of the folks you're trying to feed.
posted by asnider at 9:42 AM on October 5, 2011
Response by poster: Bananas and PB&Js seem to be the best options... though I hadn't considered (until y'all brought it up) what in the hell we'd do with 200 banana peels. For PB&Js, maybe peanut butter and marshmallow fluff would be less soggy. And we could pack them in shoe-boxes to keep them from getting crushed?
I don't know where on earth I would get peanut butter in individual-sized, squeezable containers.
posted by sarling at 9:42 AM on October 5, 2011
I don't know where on earth I would get peanut butter in individual-sized, squeezable containers.
posted by sarling at 9:42 AM on October 5, 2011
Best answer: Peanut butter and banana sandwiches, wrapped in sandwich bags, stacked and carried in bread wrappers.
IMO, people too squeamish to eat food from a kind stranger can just get their calories elsewhere.
posted by ottereroticist at 9:49 AM on October 5, 2011
IMO, people too squeamish to eat food from a kind stranger can just get their calories elsewhere.
posted by ottereroticist at 9:49 AM on October 5, 2011
Can you buy loaves of bread, a few jars of PB and jelly, and a plastic knife or ten? Then people could make it themselves. You can also load the bread on the top of your pack so it wouldn't get too crushed.
posted by mlo at 9:49 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by mlo at 9:49 AM on October 5, 2011
maybe peanut butter and marshmallow fluff
I swear, I am not trying to rain on your lunch, but as a vegetarian... is marshmallow fluff vegetarian? Most marshmallows these days are now.
posted by kellyblah at 9:50 AM on October 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
I swear, I am not trying to rain on your lunch, but as a vegetarian... is marshmallow fluff vegetarian? Most marshmallows these days are now.
posted by kellyblah at 9:50 AM on October 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Throw a couple cinch-style trash bags in your pack, and you can help a bit with whatever litter issues they are having, as well as covering the trash produced by your gifts. I mean, you don't have to haul it away, but it might help keep things less messy for them, and give them an easy way to not just throw stuff on the ground.
posted by marble at 9:51 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by marble at 9:51 AM on October 5, 2011
Seconding the loaves of bread + jars of PB & jelly (or squeeze bottles, if those are available). Assuming this doesn't offend your (or others') sensibilities, a roll of paper towels and a couple of garbage bags are also good ideas.
Also, a gigantic vat of trail mix + (paper cups (that can be crushed and stuck in a pocket once the trail mix is gone)?
posted by rebekah at 9:57 AM on October 5, 2011
Also, a gigantic vat of trail mix + (paper cups (that can be crushed and stuck in a pocket once the trail mix is gone)?
posted by rebekah at 9:57 AM on October 5, 2011
I swear, I am not trying to rain on your lunch, but as a vegetarian... is marshmallow fluff vegetarian? Most marshmallows these days are now.
That was my concern too. Reading and responding as a vegan... that was my first thought. What could I eat?
posted by Cerulean at 9:59 AM on October 5, 2011
Response by poster: Whoa, I didn't consider that fluff might not be vegan. Okay, I'll check the ingredients.
BTW, carrying the sandwiches IN bread wrappers? F-ING GENIUS!
And the gigantic vat of trail mix suggestion made me wonder if I could make my OWN trail mix on the cheap... hmm.
And I'm sorry I didn't clarify this earlier, but lunch hour is... an hour. So making stuff on the spot would be difficult, as would finding a flat surface to do so. It's a big crowd. But the idea of bringing along trash bags and maybe taking back the sandwich wrappers as soon as they're handed over? Awesome.
Y'all have some fabulous ideas.
posted by sarling at 10:02 AM on October 5, 2011
BTW, carrying the sandwiches IN bread wrappers? F-ING GENIUS!
And the gigantic vat of trail mix suggestion made me wonder if I could make my OWN trail mix on the cheap... hmm.
And I'm sorry I didn't clarify this earlier, but lunch hour is... an hour. So making stuff on the spot would be difficult, as would finding a flat surface to do so. It's a big crowd. But the idea of bringing along trash bags and maybe taking back the sandwich wrappers as soon as they're handed over? Awesome.
Y'all have some fabulous ideas.
posted by sarling at 10:02 AM on October 5, 2011
Whoa, I didn't consider that fluff might not be vegan. Okay, I'll check the ingredients.
Classic Nitpicker: You'll wanna check the bread too
posted by Cerulean at 10:03 AM on October 5, 2011
Classic Nitpicker: You'll wanna check the bread too
posted by Cerulean at 10:03 AM on October 5, 2011
Hummus will survive for a while unrefrigerated, has protein and fat, and goes a looong way (especially with protesters, the vegans among whom will appreciate the option very much). I'd bring a whole bunch of pita (check for honey in ingredients, but there is vegan pita available) and hummus, which you may be able to make really cheaply or buy pretty cheaply. It requires no silverware, will last long enough for protesters to demolish it within food safety guidelines, and you can fit a LOT into a backpack considering how many calories you'll be providing. Better than bananas because of protein and less of a sugar crash, and... delicious!
posted by verbyournouns at 10:04 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by verbyournouns at 10:04 AM on October 5, 2011
Soup.
Hold it in a crock pot at work to a insulated cooler (think the Gatorade container at the side of sportslines). Something like a potato soup or an itallian wedding soup (sans meatballs) is simple and cheap enough to make. Yeah, there will be cups and spoons - but its the fall officially... its getting cold.
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:49 AM on October 5, 2011
Hold it in a crock pot at work to a insulated cooler (think the Gatorade container at the side of sportslines). Something like a potato soup or an itallian wedding soup (sans meatballs) is simple and cheap enough to make. Yeah, there will be cups and spoons - but its the fall officially... its getting cold.
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:49 AM on October 5, 2011
To build on Nanukthedog's soup idea: skip the spoons, they could just drink it from the cups.
posted by easily confused at 11:05 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by easily confused at 11:05 AM on October 5, 2011
Apples are in season aren't they? Pears? Both travel pretty well.
posted by TooFewShoes at 12:39 PM on October 5, 2011
posted by TooFewShoes at 12:39 PM on October 5, 2011
sarling: "I don't know where on earth I would get peanut butter in individual-sized, squeezable containers."
Amazon:
Squeezable, pack of 30 (3x10) for $22.71
Non-squeezable, pack of 100 for for $23.45
posted by I am the Walrus at 12:49 PM on October 5, 2011
Amazon:
Squeezable, pack of 30 (3x10) for $22.71
Non-squeezable, pack of 100 for for $23.45
posted by I am the Walrus at 12:49 PM on October 5, 2011
Since you are going the homemade route, here is a recipe for granola bars
posted by I am the Walrus at 12:51 PM on October 5, 2011
posted by I am the Walrus at 12:51 PM on October 5, 2011
If you use a piece of cardboard between layers, things will get a little less squished. I think showing up with peanut butter, jelly, bread, spreader, a plate or tray for sammich-making-on and napkins would be really nice. And/or a big jug of juice, ice, and paper cups. Juice from concentrate isn't too spendy, or make tea lade with tea (4 teabags and a kettle full of water) and 1 batch of lemonade from 1 can of concentrate, combined. You might be able to get in touch with organizers and ask if they need anything delivered. I'll bet there are local restaurants who might donate food, and you could do the delivery.
Thanks for doing this. Your ask.me made me just a little bit less cynical.
posted by theora55 at 3:04 PM on October 5, 2011
Thanks for doing this. Your ask.me made me just a little bit less cynical.
posted by theora55 at 3:04 PM on October 5, 2011
To make the PB&J not soggy, mix together the PB and the Jelly before spreading. Also, if you mixed a lot of PB and Jelly together at once (in a blender), spreading would be much faster.
Just a thought.
(On the other hand, a sandwich with goop between the bread? That increases creepy points. :? )
posted by 47triple2 at 7:10 PM on October 5, 2011
Just a thought.
(On the other hand, a sandwich with goop between the bread? That increases creepy points. :? )
posted by 47triple2 at 7:10 PM on October 5, 2011
Yeah marshmallow fluff is creepy in itself...let alone being handed out by a stranger.
Can you see if an Indian restaurant will sell you a whole lot of samosas for cheap? Carrots, pita, and hummus could work too.
posted by whalebreath at 7:24 PM on October 5, 2011
Can you see if an Indian restaurant will sell you a whole lot of samosas for cheap? Carrots, pita, and hummus could work too.
posted by whalebreath at 7:24 PM on October 5, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Cerulean at 8:50 AM on October 5, 2011