TL;DR
Get kitchen staples and gadgets delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
The Kitchn published a grocery diary from Jordan Smith, a 37-year-old Brooklyn baker and bookseller, who spent $61.48 at Met Fresh on a week’s groceries. Smith described shopping with a basket or in their arms, and said busy workdays mean some meals come from restaurants and nearby markets. The diary is one person’s account, not a complete measure of weekly food costs.
Jordan Smith spent $61.48 on a week’s groceries at Met Fresh in Brooklyn, according to a grocery diary published by The Kitchn. Smith, a 37-year-old baker and bookseller who shares a home with three roommates, described a quick, no-cart shopping routine—but the diary also includes meals bought near work, so the grocery total is not a full accounting of every food expense that week.
Smith’s listed purchases included spinach, fruit, tofu, okra, bread, celery, coconut milk, popcorn, smoked mussels and other produce and pantry items. The reported total was $61.48. The Kitchn says prices were accurate at the time of publication; the source does not provide a date for the shopping trip or item-by-item quantities for most products.
Smith said they prefer carrying groceries in their arms or using a basket rather than taking a cart, aiming to get in and out quickly. They shop the produce section first and may build a meal around a vegetable that looks appealing, then pick up canned goods and pantry staples. Smith said beans and coconut milk are frequent purchases because they can be used in many dishes.
The diary’s meal log shows a mix of home cooking, leftovers and food bought elsewhere. Smith made vegetable curry with sweet potatoes, chickpeas, okra and coconut milk, then ate leftovers the next day. Other meals included tofu, falafel, sandwiches, smoothies and a quesadilla. The log also lists purchased muffins, coffee, restaurant or market lunches and other prepared food, which are not included in the $61.48 grocery-store total.
What the $61 Grocery Total Covers
The diary offers a specific example of how one New Yorker shops and eats on a busy schedule, but it should not be read as a full weekly food budget. $61.48 covers the listed Met Fresh shop; it does not cover all food Smith describes eating. The report records items bought away from home, including coffee and meals, without totaling those expenses.
That distinction matters for readers comparing grocery spending. Household size, the number of meals eaten at home, work schedules, shopping options and product quantities all affect what a weekly total represents. Smith’s account also notes that nearby stores in their Bed-Stuy neighborhood can have limited fresh-produce selection and less favorable prices, while reaching other supermarkets takes a trip downtown.
Products Worth Considering
Philips Café Aromis Automatic Espresso Machine with LatteGo Pro Milk System
Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender, 64 oz. Container, Black
Weber Searwood XL 600 Wood Pellet Smoker Grill, 36 inches, Black
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Smith’s Bed-Stuy Shopping Routine
Smith told The Kitchn that they live in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, with three roommates and work as a baker and bookseller. Their schedule includes part-time and freelance work, a long commute and, on some evenings, several more hours of baking after getting home. They said dinner can be simple—such as popcorn, carrots and hummus, chips and dips, or leftovers—when time is short.
When able to plan, Smith said they try to assemble meals from a protein, a carbohydrate and a vegetable, cooking components separately and recombining them with sauces and condiments. The shopping list reflects that approach, with produce and tofu alongside pantry items. Smith described occasionally traveling to Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods for different selection and prices, but the featured shop was at Met Fresh.
“I’m a no-cart shopper, preferring to load up my arms or use a shopping basket.”
— Jordan Smith, as quoted by The Kitchn
What the Weekly Figure Leaves Out
The report does not state how much Smith spent in total on food that week. Although it gives a $61.48 grocery-store total, the meal diary includes food and drinks bought elsewhere, and their costs are not added to that figure. It is also unclear how much of the listed food was shared with roommates, how much remained after the week, or whether every meal and snack is represented.
The source gives no detailed comparison with a prior week, a household grocery budget or typical New York spending. The figure is therefore a record of one shopping trip, not evidence that another person or household could meet its food needs for the same amount.
No Follow-Up Spending Update Listed
The Kitchn’s grocery diary presents Smith’s shopping list and meal log as a snapshot of one week. The supplied report does not announce a follow-up, a recurring budget series for Smith or a plan to track all food spending. Any broader comparison would require more information, including the cost of meals bought away from home, the share of groceries used by roommates and prices from other weeks.
Key Questions
How much did Jordan Smith spend at Met Fresh?
The Kitchn reports a total of $61.48 for the items Smith listed from Met Fresh.
Does the $61.48 include all the food Smith ate that week?
No. The diary also describes meals, coffee and other items bought from markets, restaurants or nearby businesses, but does not include their costs in the Met Fresh total.
What does Smith mean by a no-cart shopper?
Smith said they prefer carrying items in their arms or using a shopping basket instead of taking a cart, to shop quickly.
Who lives in Smith’s household?
Smith told The Kitchn that they live in Brooklyn with three roommates. The report does not say how the grocery purchases were divided or shared.
Can the diary show what a typical New York grocery budget is?
No. It documents one person’s shopping trip and week of meals. It does not provide a citywide comparison or a complete total for Smith’s food spending.
Source: thekitchn.com
