Food City Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Protein ranking (most economical to most expensive per serving for 4 people):
- Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh): $1.29/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$2.58 total, ~$0.65/person
- Mixed Pork Chops, Food City Fresh, Bone-In, Family Pack: $1.49/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$2.98 total, ~$0.75/person
- Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms, Family Pack: $1.99/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$3.98 total, ~$1.00/person
- Ground Round, Food City Fresh, 85% Lean, 3 lbs or more: $6.99/lb - 1.5 lbs feeds 4 = ~$10.49 total, ~$2.62/person (note: minimum purchase is 3 lbs at this price; 3 lbs = $20.97, but only 1.5 lbs is needed for one meal - to stay budget-conscious, the full 3 lb minimum is purchased and the remainder is used across the week or frozen; cost allocated to this meal is 1.5 lbs = $10.49)
- Gourmet Burgers, Black & Bleu, Spinach & Feta, Bacon & Cheddar and More, 5 oz: $3.00 each - 4 patties feeds 4 = $12.00 total, $3.00/person
- Salmon Fillets, Fresh: $9.99/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$19.98 total, ~$5.00/person (premium)
- Cooked Shrimp, Farm Raised, Previously Frozen, 41/50 ct: $7.99/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$15.98 total, ~$4.00/person (premium)
- Round Tip Roast, Certified Angus Beef: $7.99/lb - 2.5 lbs feeds 4 = ~$19.98 total, ~$5.00/person (premium; also exceeds 60-minute cook time and budget ceiling)
- New York Strip Steak, Certified Angus Beef, Family Pack: $14.99/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$29.98 total, ~$7.50/person (premium)
- Prime New York Strip Steak, Certified Angus Beef: $22.99/lb - 2 lbs feeds 4 = ~$45.98 total, ~$11.50/person (premium)

Why these meals: This week's flyer is a genuine bargain hunter's dream for the everyday proteins. The Whole Boneless Pork Loin at $1.29/lb with a digital coupon is one of the cheapest proteins you will find anywhere this summer, and the bone-in Mixed Pork Chops at $1.49/lb are nearly as good. Fresh Split Chicken Breast at $1.99/lb rounds out a trio of proteins that keep four nights comfortably affordable. The Ground Round requires a 3 lb minimum purchase at $6.99/lb, so buying the full 3 lbs and using 1.5 lbs for burgers one night is the smart play - freeze the rest for next week. For the one premium night, Salmon Fillets at $9.99/lb were skipped because even 2 lbs pushes the weekly total past the ceiling; instead, the Gourmet Burgers at $3.00 each (4 patties for $12.00) serve as the fun, kid-friendly splurge night without blowing the budget. The steak options and shrimp were all left on the shelf this week because their per-serving costs would have pushed the total well above $18 per person.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Pan-Seared Boneless Pork Loin Slices with Corn on the Cob
Description: Thick slices of Whole Boneless Pork Loin are seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then pan-seared until golden and cooked through - simple, juicy, and familiar enough for even picky eaters. Fresh corn on the cob is boiled alongside and served with butter for a classic summer pairing kids love.
Sale items used: Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh), Fresh Corn, 4 pk
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of pork loin, sliced into 4 portions (about 8 oz each); use 1 pack of Fresh Corn, 4 pk, giving each person one ear of corn.

Tuesday
Meal: Baked Bone-In Pork Chops with Instant Mashed Potatoes
Description: Bone-in Mixed Pork Chops are seasoned with salt, pepper, and a little paprika, then baked in the oven until tender and cooked through - a hands-off weeknight dinner that kids recognize and enjoy. Idahoan Instant Potatoes are prepared on the stovetop and served alongside for a filling, comforting plate.
Sale items used: Mixed Pork Chops, Food City Fresh, Bone-In, Family Pack; Idahoan Instant Potatoes, Selected Varieties, 4-4.1 oz
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of pork chops (4 chops at roughly 8 oz each); use 2 pouches of Idahoan Instant Potatoes (each pouch serves 2, so 2 pouches serve 4).
Recipes:
- Juicy Oven Baked Bone-In Pork Chops

Wednesday
Meal: Baked Chicken Breast with Russet Potato Wedges
Description: Fresh Split Chicken Breast is seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and baked until juicy and golden - a no-fuss dinner that kids eat without complaint. Russet potato wedges are tossed in oil and baked on the same sheet pan for an easy, kid-approved side.
Sale items used: Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms, Family Pack; Russet Potatoes, Basket & Bushel, 10 lb
Prep time: 50 minutes
Serving note: Use 2 lbs of chicken breast (roughly 4 split breasts); use approximately 2 lbs of russet potatoes cut into wedges from the 10 lb bag (the remaining potatoes keep well for the week).

Thursday
Meal: Cheesy Skillet Ground Round Pasta with Classico Pasta Sauce
Description: Ground Round is browned in a skillet, then simmered with Classico Pasta Sauce and tossed with cooked pasta for a hearty, cheesy meat sauce dinner that kids consistently love. It comes together in one pan in under 30 minutes and is easy to customize with a little extra cheese on top.
Sale items used: Ground Round, Food City Fresh, 85% Lean, 3 lbs or more; Classico Pasta Sauce, Selected Varieties, 15-24 oz
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: Use 1.5 lbs of ground round from the required 3 lb minimum purchase (freeze the remaining 1.5 lbs for later); use 1 jar of Classico Pasta Sauce (buy 2 jars at 2/$6.00 to meet the deal, second jar is a pantry bonus); serve over pasta from pantry, enough for 4 people.
Recipes:
- Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Friday
Meal: Grilled Gourmet Burgers on Sub Rolls with Ketchup
Description: Gourmet Burgers are grilled to juicy perfection and served on fresh-baked Sub Rolls for a fun Friday dinner the whole family looks forward to all week. Kids can top their own burgers with Heinz Ketchup and Tillamook Sliced Cheese for a build-your-own experience that makes dinner feel like an event.
Sale items used: Gourmet Burgers, Black & Bleu, Spinach & Feta, Bacon & Cheddar and More, 5 oz; Sub Rolls, Fresh Baked in the Bakery, 4 ct; Heinz Ketchup, 32 oz; Tillamook Sliced Cheese, Selected Varieties
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Purchase 4 Gourmet Burger patties (one per person at $3.00 each); 1 pack of Sub Rolls, Fresh Baked in the Bakery, 4 ct feeds all 4; 1 bottle of Heinz Ketchup, 32 oz; 1 pack of Tillamook Sliced Cheese.
Recipes:
- Cheeseburger Subs

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh) (2 lbs): $2.58
- Fresh Corn, 4 pk (x1): $3.99
- Mixed Pork Chops, Food City Fresh, Bone-In, Family Pack (2 lbs): $2.98
- Idahoan Instant Potatoes, Selected Varieties, 4-4.1 oz (x2 pouches, part of 3/$4.00 deal - buy 3, use 2 this week): $4.00
- Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms, Family Pack (2 lbs): $3.98
- Russet Potatoes, Basket & Bushel, 10 lb (x1): $4.99
- Ground Round, Food City Fresh, 85% Lean, 3 lbs or more (3 lbs minimum): $20.97
- Classico Pasta Sauce, Selected Varieties, 15-24 oz (x2 at 2/$6.00): $6.00
- Gourmet Burgers, Black & Bleu, Spinach & Feta, Bacon & Cheddar and More, 5 oz (x4 patties): $12.00
- Sub Rolls, Fresh Baked in the Bakery, 4 ct (x1): $3.99
- Heinz Ketchup, 32 oz (x1): $3.99
- Tillamook Sliced Cheese, Selected Varieties (x1): $1.99

Pantry staples needed:
- Dry pasta (spaghetti or penne) for Thursday meat sauce
- Olive oil or vegetable oil for searing pork and baking potato wedges
- Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika
- Butter for corn on the cob