January 1, 2008

Dear Friends,

The little pink book that I wrote in 1992 called How to Feed Your Family on $45.00 a Week: A Common Sense Guide to Feeding Your Family for Less was the beginning of a series of home economic publications throughout the 90’s. Nearly sixteen years later, some things have changed. But, the basic principles that I outlined in my books are still followed in our home.

Over the last few months, I’ve contemplated between producing an updated How To Feed Your Family project, and then not to do it. Was it worth my time to compile this book  into an updated format? Is there really a need for the information? My decision to go forth and do this project was based on what I’ve always believed. If I help one family, then I’ve done what was intended. Hopefully, this book will go many miles to help families throughout the United States. 

Many of the economic factors that effect our lives are found in the headlines of our daily newspapers. Gas prices are nearly $100 a barrel and milk is $4.00 a gallon. The other day I saw an article about the soaring cost of wheat and other grains. In the article it asked if we thought it was possible that cereal could be priced seven bucks a box in the near future? Scary. Actually, quite possible when one begins to consider how quickly our food prices have risen over the last few years, and even the last few weeks.

I did want to keep the price of the book affordable. Perhaps within the price of what a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread and a bag of potatoes would cost. If one follows the basic principles found in Feed Your Family’s Primer, I believe the cost of the book will be an investment in your life.

I have seen items at the grocery store change throughout the years. In 2008, everything seems to be seasoned, cut and chopped for us. All you have to do is heat and eat. The packaging of individual servings can be found throughout most every department. I know that our food manufactures have taken in account the on-the-go, fast-paced, no-time-to-cook society that Americans live. This all comes with a hefty price. Do the math on cost-per-serving compared to taking a little time and making your own. Basic cooking skills have been lost through the generations. Often, my heart breaks when I go to the grocery store and observe families. I can see that they need help with their food budgets. As I approach the age of 50, I pray that How To Feed Your Family reflects me as a Titus 2 woman. Part of the teaching of good things and loving your husband and children is to provide them with nourishing meals prepared with a loving heart.    
                                                                                                                                  
Family life in America is busy and grocery shopping is considered drudgery. Families rarely eat together. Additional factors of our eating lifestyle is that nutrition is compromised, excessive packaging adds to the garbage dumps, and because it’s easier to call for take-out Chinese or eat out, our food budgets are stretched! We’ve become dependent on the large food companies. Our confidence to take a little time in our kitchens, even with limited cooking skills, has diminished. This is all of great concern to me. 

You will receive your How To Feed Your Family book in an unbound, three-hole binder format. I've done it this way to make it affordable for both you and me. The cost is $10.00 per book and I include First Class postage. The book is printed on standard 8 1/2 x 11" paper, with the three hole punches. You can put it in your own binder. Many of us have a spare one around the house, if not one can be purchased for a dollar or two.  With a three-hole format you will be able to add your own family favorite recipes.                                                     
                     
I believe that How to Feed Your Family needs to get to as many families as possible. So, I am allowing you to photocopy the information in the book for your church or home school group, budget seminars, families who need help and food pantry distribution. If you photocopy How To Feed Your Family you DO NOT have permission to sell the book. You must give it away. Also, please contact me and tell me how many copies you are distributing.

I encourage you to e-mail me at FeedFamily@aol.com with any comments or questions.                             

With  love,     
                                                                                                                                                                           
Cynthia Hillson
Food and Nutrition “Master” with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, 1991