Hi GB.
I walked the VDLP in stages between Nov. 2010 and Oct. 2011. I slept in pensiones or hotels, as I was making an app trail guide in English, and I was sending my laptop, extra camera and other such gear ahead each day. So I was able to eat breakfast every morning in the pension or casa rural or wherever.
When I needed food or water during the day, most towns had something available, although yes, there are a few stretches where you don't go through any towns all day long. I'm surprised to read people ate menus del dia for 7 or 8 euros. I normally paid 10 or 12, and I wasn't going anywhere fancy -- just wherever the other peregrinos went! Maybe I hit the peak season. Oh, and because I sent my bags ahead, I had the luxury of packing a lot of energy bars and that sort of thing before I left home, so I packed a few of those in my day pack each day. You could pack a few from home and start your trip with some, then stock up when you hit a big city.
If you have a Droid or iPhone, check out my app. It's working really well because pilgrims have the ability to update things as they're walking. So in spots where, say, I mention poor signage from my passage in March 2011, pilgrims are leaving comments that the signage has been fixed, or detours are now removed, or albergues are now closed -- that sort of thing. It's always current, then, although I'm going back this fall (yay!) to update it officially.
Here's the iPhone version:
http://sutromedia.com/apps/Via_de_la_Plata
And the Droid:
http://sutromedia.com/android/Via_de_la_Plata
Melanie