How Much Money Does an Inmate Need Weekly to Eat Well?

What commissary provides is the ability to supplement those meals with preferred items and to have more control over what goes into the diet. Common commissary food purchases include soups, snacks, protein supplements, condiments, coffee, and items that make the standard facility meals more palatable or filling. For inmates who find the cafeteria food difficult to eat consistently, having commissary food available becomes more important.

At the county jail and state prison level, $75 per week represents a reasonable high-end budget for someone who wants to supplement their meals meaningfully. Most inmates spend less than that on food specifically, particularly once the one-time purchases like a radio and sneakers have been handled and the weekly budget is focused on consumables.

Practical tips for making the commissary food budget go further include sticking to high-calorie, high-protein items that provide real nutritional value rather than spending heavily on snacks with limited nutritional return. Ramen noodles, peanut butter, tuna and mackerel fish, and protein bars are consistently among the most practical commissary food purchases for inmates trying to stretch their budget and eat reasonably well.