But there is a serious problem behind it.

For example, with food, if you have enough money you can afford to buy large quantities and take advantage of discounts.

For rent, it you have money, deposits won't be a problem, and landlord may be more willing to give you interesting offers. Poor people are at risk of not being able to pay the rent, and landlords have to account for it. You may even buy and not pay the rent.

For utilities, if you have money, you can buy more efficient heaters and appliances, better isolation, maybe even solar panels and stuff like that which may be profitable after a few years.

That said, I don't see why we can't have both (A base level of UBI + a federal jobs guarantee)

Metaphors can be tricky.

If you don't have any money right now you are often forced to make decisions that cost you more money later, which sets up a vicious circle.

AirBnB exists, for example. There have been people who sleep in trains and rent out their apartment in their absence - it’s not fun, but it does reduce rent.

Potatoes can be grown, for example.

You can shop around for a place where utilities are included, for example - and many utility companies will give you rebates to do things that lower your bill.

None of these are really a path out of poverty though.

Yes, by splitting with someone else, or worst case moving.

Can you be very smart and buy a really good potato that will last you for years?

Yes again, by cutting and planting it, or at least part of it.

Can you be very smart and negotiate a better rate for the utilities you pay?

Sometimes, by moving to a lower cost area, or by shedding unnecessary usage and getting cheaper options. Get slow Internet instead of cable TV. Use an older phone on a cheap cell plan instead of the latest flagship on a subsidized plan. Take shorter, colder showers. Turn the lights off.