Student food "staples" parcel - suggestions?

gloriouslyhappy

Sainsburys does packets of flavoured couscous for 69p, or watch out for when they're 2 for £1 - you cook them with boiling water and leave to stand for 6 minutes, so perfect for keeping in a student room and making via a kettle. Each packet makes a decent meal for one, or a side dish with 2-3 servings, cheap and nutritious. There are several flavours - Moroccan spice, lemon & coriander etc, and the packets are perfect for popping in a padded envelope and posting off. My DSS is now out of uni and working as a researcher on an island so still appreciates getting these in the post.

Medstudent

I think the important things is really how much you think they will want to cook. If they have expressed no interest then I would stick with things that are easy to make, so basics like pasta rice etc. and then some jars of various curry sauces/pasta sauces. I know this is horrendously expensive and making it yourself is cheaper and healthier (and once good at it tastier) but for someone starting out who has never cooked and will want to spend the time partying this beats perpetual beans on toast/pasta with cheese/pesto/etc. Also things like yes beans are cheaper dry but cans are faster, this means far more likely to be used than come back next year! Likwise pre flavoured couscous is more likely to be used than plain where you need to make everything yourself.

If they are a more adventurous cook then all the small use but high initial outlay items are probably best (and what I beg parents for now when I go home ).

The other thing is to give them some advice. I was an ok cook when I went to uni I could do some basic meals (spag bol, chill, curry, casseroles) but nothing particularly spectacular. But I knew people on my corridor could and loved cooking. So I would share some meals with them, they cook I clean. This worked well and I also learned from them at the same time. I then lived with them and then a different foodie the next year. As a result I am now the most (or at least joint most ) accomplished cook in my flat. Obviously this isn't for everyone but with someone with some foresight this can pay off in years to come!

All I can say is it worked for me and it is near enough in my memory (still a student although a 5th year so feeling old!)

oldtrout

Oven gloves, tea towels, disposable kitchen cloths, a tray, toilet rolls.

Also, make sure the first job they do when they arrive is to make the bed ... it's easier to actually put the quilt cover on the quilt, and pillowcases on the pillows before leaving home.

strandedinaber

Definitely teabags and baked beans. I would include staples but also 'home comfort' food. For example, I always had Heinz tomato soup when I was sick as a kid. I took a few tins up to university and had it whenever I felt homesick; it made a big difference.

Hezzawithkids

Useful thread, thanks. I now have a long list to go over with DD who is also off to uni in a couple of weeks!

no.1swimmum

I am about to take DS back on Saturday for his third year of a 4 year course. Going back early to start pre-season training, so he won't have any money from student finance until end of the month. I have a some frozen foods but the freezer in there student let (which by the way is amazing, brand new house with all mod cons including a dishwasher, dryer etc) is only 3 drawers for 4 students.

His first two years he spent in halls, made it easier to get to the pool at 4.30 in the morning, and he lived on Pasta in various forms, made his own burgers, chicken casseroles etc. I would suggest some containers for left overs after seeing the inside of the fridge (this marked me for life ), antibacterial spray, an electric can opener - he broke 2 quite expensive lakeland plastics ones in his first year so just spent a little extra on and electric one, still going strong... I bought him a small box of celebrations it was great way to introduce himself to the others in his halls, a student cook book, foil, cling fill, gift card for the local supermarket, my parents often send him one of these it means he can use his money for other things.

Zed42

Some great suggestions here

One other thing I would mention ... is a permanent marker pen, for labelling food / containers clearly as belonging to her!

I remember turning up for my first day, over 2 decades ago, like it was yesterday !

:rotfl:

[Deleted User]

VJsMUM don't send too much stuff that needs fridge or freezer space, it will be very limited.

Tea bags and Coffee.
Porridge oats.
Biscuits and crackers, crispbreads too, good keepers.
Tins of baked beans, spaghetti, tuna,soup (tomato is good for the homesick blues!)
Ketchup, salad cream,brown sauce.
Oxo cubes.
Jam/marmite/peanut butter/non fridge cheese triangles.
Instant noodles.
Hot chocolate.
supplies of chocolate for sad days.
and take her fresh things when you go to visit but in quantities that can be used quickly or you might end up feeding the entire hall of residence!
Cans of cola also appreciated!!!

Good luck, Lyn xxx.

jobbingmusician

You do all know about http://agirlcalledjack.com/category/below-the-line-budget-recipes/ don't you? (The first few in the list at the moment are 'mummy' recipes, but there are plenty of cordon bleu level 'proper' food recipes costing around 29p a serving!!!!)

Also see here....http://agirlcalledjack.com/2013/08/30/jack-vs-jamie-the-evening-standard-cook-off/

(As you can tell, I'm a fan. A fan of her documentation of poverty and challenging govt policy, as much as anything).

allybee101

Like many others have suggested, I'd recommend leaving it til later in the term when the student loan is diminished and a voucher for her local supermarket is a very welcome present!
The suggestion of a fresher's flu box is great - paracetamol, lemsip, strepsils, tissues, orange squash and some tins of chicekn/tomato soup etc. This might be a lovely present.
On arrival at uni my parents and I unpacked the car, made the bed and then they took me to the nearest supermarket to do a shop for essentials. It was much easier than taking it all with us (the car was packed to the brim as it was!).