Food Stamp Challenge Sweeps the Nation

Have you tried eating on the average food stamps allocation of $1 per meal yet? Politicians, local leaders, and journalists have across the nation in the hopes of bringing awareness to the issue of inadequate food stamp allocations in today’s environment. They hope that in doing so it will strengthen support for the Food Stamp Program, which is being reviewed by Congress this year.

Members of Congress, led by Representatives James McGovern (D-Mass.) and JoAnn Emerson (R-Mo.), embarked on a week-long challenge. Reps. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) also participated.

McGovern began the challenge with his wife by grocery shopping at Safeway. They were allotted just $42 for the week and their total bill came to $41.70. McGovern pointed out that the goal of the challenge is to ensure that no one in this country should be food insecure. Emerson stuck to the budget as well but noted that she had to forego some favorite items because of the cost.

Nevada reporter Kat Kerlin, of the Reno Nevada News and Review accepted the challenge using the maximum food stamp benefit given to an individual of $155 a month. She reported during her first week, “I’m hungry and cranky, and I broke down. There was a yogurt I left in the office fridge from last week (not part of the budgeted diet), so I ate it to hold me over for the next 2-3 hours until I can go home and make dinner. Next week, I’ll buy some peanut butter to get me through the day,” Kerlin abandoned the diet at the end of the second week and reports “There’s a weird, psychological deprivation … that comes from not being able to eat or buy food whenever, wherever I want, so when I finally get it, I inhale it, like someone might take it away from me.” According to FRAC digest, she also describes people on real food stamps who she met at local food banks. She observed that for many of the people who she met who are on food stamps, help with applying for food stamps can play a crucial role in whether they will have enough to eat. Kerlin also discovered that the lack of basic conveniences such as a freezer and refrigerator or a car add extra difficulty to their ability to put food on the table.

Information, quotes, and excerpts for the above article was gathered from Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) News Digest, Issue 13, March 26, 2007 and Issue 20, June 11, 2007.