On buying food

I've been cooking quite a lot recently, as Boaz and LaRae have left for their Christmas vacation, and the lady who usually helps LaRae to cook has also taken off for the month. I've kept careful track of what I buy at the market so that I can learn how to cook things economically here. I thought some of you would be interested to see the things I've gotten at the market the past three trips. 

November 10, 2011

Item	Quantity	Cost -- CFA / ($)*
Salt	1 kilo	150 CFA (0.33)
Potatoes	2 kilos	1,300 CFA (2.88)
Banana	1 hand (8)	500 CFA (1.11)
Lentils	1 kilo	900 CFA (2.00)
Cornmeal	2 kilos	700 CFA (1.55)
Onions	2 kilos	600 CFA (1.33)
Baking Powder	250 grams	500 CFA (1.11)
Garlic	1/2 kilo	500 CFA (1.11)
Carrots	1 kilo	1,000 CFA (2.22)
Ginger	1/4 kilo	600 CFA (1.33)
Powdered milk	1 bag	1,500 CFA (3.33)
Green Olives	1 jar	750 CFA (1.67)

• Conversion based on the exchange rate of 450 CFA / $1.00 USD... this is usually variable between 450-500 CFA / $1.00 USD. 

November 13, 2011

Item	Quantity	Cost -- CFA / ($)*
Sugar	2 kilos	1300 CFA (2.88)
Spaghetti	4 packages	1600 CFA (3.55)
Couscous	2 kilos	1600 CFA (3.55)
Potatoes	2 kilos	1200 CFA (2.66)
Tomatoes	1 kilo	1500 CFA (3.33)
Peanut Butter	2 kilos	2000 CFA (4.44)
Bananas	11 bananas	700 CFA (1.55)
Tomato Paste	2 large cans	2,100 CFA (4.66)
Cabbage	1 kilo (4 small heads)	1,000 CFA (2.22)
Chives	1 small bunch	100 CFA (0.22)
Parsley	1 small bunch	100 CFA (0.22)

November 17, 2011

Item	Quantity	Cost -- CFA / ($)*
Bananas	10	500 CFA (1.11)
White Flour	2 kilos	950 CFA (2.11)
Onions	2 kilos	600 CFA (1.33)
Chives	1 bunch	100 CFA (0.22)
Beans	1 kilo	700 CFA (1.55)
Couscous	2 kilos	1600 CFA (3.55)
Grapefruit	3	500 CFA (1.11)