Food City Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: The pork loin at $1.29/lb with a digital coupon is the single best meat deal on this entire flyer - at roughly $2.58 for a 2-lb roast that feeds four, it anchors one of the most satisfying dinners of the week. Bone-in pork chops at $1.49/lb and Sanderson Farms chicken breasts at $1.99/lb are both outstanding everyday values that keep four weeknight dinners well within reach. The Smithfield Marinated Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast at a flat $7.99 each works out to about $2.00 per serving and is a genuinely economical choice, but it requires a long slow cook - so it earns its spot on a day where you can start it early. The Gourmet Burgers at $3.00 each are the most kid-friendly premium pick on the flyer, and at $12.00 for four patties they are far more reasonable than the steaks or salmon, making them the natural choice for the one slightly splurge-worthy night.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Oven-Roasted Boneless Pork Loin with Corn on the Cob
Description: A simple, juicy pork loin seasoned with pantry spices and roasted in the oven until golden, sliced into tender medallions the whole family will love. Sweet fresh corn on the cob rounds out the plate and makes it feel like a summer celebration.
Sale items used: Whole Boneless Pork Loin (Food City Fresh), Fresh Corn, 4 pk
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 45-50 minutes roasting
Serving note: Use a 2 lb section of the pork loin for 4 people; roast at 400F until internal temp reaches 145F, about 45-50 minutes - slice and rest 5 minutes before serving. Use 1 pack of Fresh Corn (4 ears) for 4 people, one ear each. Make-ahead tip: season the pork the night before and refrigerate for even better flavor.
Recipes:
- Best Damn Oven Roasted Pork Loin

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Bone-In Pork Chops with Instant Mashed Potatoes
Description: Thick bone-in pork chops are seasoned and seared in a hot skillet until golden brown with a juicy center, a meal kids recognize and always ask for seconds of. Creamy Idahoan instant mashed potatoes made on the stovetop come together in minutes for an easy, comforting side.
Sale items used: Mixed Pork Chops, Food City Fresh, Bone-In, Family Pack; Idahoan Instant Potatoes, Selected Varieties
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serving note: Use 2.5 lbs of bone-in pork chops for 4 people (roughly one generous chop per person). Buy 2 packages of Idahoan Instant Potatoes (from the 3/$4.00 deal, cost counted as 2 of 3) to make enough for 4 servings; prepare according to package directions.

Wednesday
Meal: Baked Chicken Breast with Classico Pasta Sauce over Kraft Mac and Cheese
Description: Tender Sanderson Farms chicken breasts are baked in the oven and topped with warm Classico pasta sauce for a kid-approved Italian-style dinner that comes together without any fuss. Kraft Mac and Cheese cooked on the stovetop serves as a creamy, cheesy base that kids will absolutely devour alongside the saucy chicken.
Sale items used: Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms, Family Pack; Classico Pasta Sauce, Selected Varieties; Kraft Mac & Cheese, Original, 7.25 oz
Prep time: 10 minutes active, 30-35 minutes baking
Serving note: Use 2.5 lbs of split chicken breast for 4 people; bake at 375F for 30-35 minutes until cooked through. Use 1 jar of Classico Pasta Sauce (from the 2/$6.00 deal, cost counted as 1 of 2). Buy 4 boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese (from the 5/$5.00 deal) to make enough for 4 hungry kids and adults; prepare according to package directions.

Thursday
Meal: Slow-Cooked Smithfield Marinated Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast with Russet Potatoes
Description: The Smithfield Marinated Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast goes into the oven low and slow, filling the house with savory aroma and producing fork-tender sliced pork that kids love piled on a plate. Halved russet potatoes roasted alongside in the same pan soak up the drippings and turn golden and crispy on the outside.
Sale items used: Smithfield Marinated Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast, Selected Varieties; Russet Potatoes, Basket & Bushel, 10 lb
Prep time: 15 minutes active, 3.5-4 hours roasting
Serving note: Use 1 Smithfield Marinated Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast for 4 people. Use approximately 2 lbs of russet potatoes from the 10 lb bag (the remaining potatoes keep well all week). Start the roast by mid-afternoon - roast covered at 325F for 3.5 to 4 hours until fork-tender, then add potatoes for the last 45 minutes uncovered. Make-ahead tip: this is an ideal weekend-style dinner; start it early in the day.

Friday
Meal: Skillet Gourmet Burgers on Sub Rolls with Tillamook Sliced Cheese
Description: Juicy Gourmet Burger patties are cooked in a skillet until browned and topped with melted Tillamook Sliced Cheese, then served on fresh-baked Sub Rolls for a Friday night burger night kids will cheer for. Keep toppings simple - ketchup, mustard, and whatever the kids like - for a fun build-your-own dinner experience.
Sale items used: Gourmet Burgers, Black & Bleu, Spinach & Feta, Bacon & Cheddar and More, 5 oz; Sub Rolls, Fresh Baked in the Bakery, 4 ct; Tillamook Sliced Cheese; Squeeze Food Club Ketchup, 38 oz; That's Smart! Yellow Mustard, 14 oz
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serving note: Buy 4 Gourmet Burger patties (one per person at $3.00 each). Buy 1 pack of Sub Rolls, Fresh Baked in the Bakery, 4 ct (one roll per person). Buy 1 package of Tillamook Sliced Cheese ($1.99 each). The Squeeze Food Club Ketchup and That's Smart! Yellow Mustard are both under $2.00 each and are used directly as condiments central to this meal.
Recipes:
- Quick & Tasty Cheeseburger Sub Recipe

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 (2.5 lbs): $3.73
- Idahoan Instant Potatoes, Selected Varieties (x2 packages of the 3/$4.00 deal): $2.67
- Fresh Split Chicken Breast, Sanderson Farms, Family Pack (2.5 lbs): $4.98
- Classico Pasta Sauce, Selected Varieties (x1 of the 2/$6.00 deal): $3.00
- Kraft Mac & Cheese, Original, 7.25 oz (x4 of the 5/$5.00 deal): $4.00
- Smithfield Marinated Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast, Selected Varieties (x1): $7.99
- Russet Potatoes, Basket & Bushel, 10 lb (x1): $4.99
- Gourmet Burgers, Black & Bleu, Spinach & Feta, Bacon & Cheddar and More, 5 oz (x4): $12.00
- Sub Rolls, Fresh Baked in the Bakery, 4 ct (x1): $3.99
- Tillamook Sliced Cheese (x1): $1.99
- Squeeze Food Club Ketchup, 38 oz (x1): $1.99
- That's Smart! Yellow Mustard, 14 oz (x1): $1.00

Pantry staples needed:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil (for searing and roasting)
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Butter (for mashed potatoes and corn)
- Milk (for instant mashed potatoes)