The SNAP Food Challenge

     

Photo by Valeria Boltneva: https://www.pexels.com/photo/gourmet-bruschetta-with-herb-garnish-close-up-29380170/

     Through work, we were invited to participate in The SNAP Challenge. For readers outside the United States, SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, with the average benefit is $5.16 per person per day. We were asked to participate between November 25-27, to shed light on how hard a limited budget is on eating healthy, particularly when other economic stressors are added. I went ahead and signed up, but will participate alone in my house. I think as I approach retirement, it might be more akin to the experience of an older adult and stretching a senior citizen budget. 

     I think it also adds additional challenge of not being able to leverage with other household members allocation. Some families or individuals may get more or less benefits. As the name states, it's intended as supplemental, but the reality is that without it, there are families with nothing left for food after other expenses. Most families and individuals receiving SNAP are working or had been in the workforce before retirement, but too often their income just can't meet all basic needs and food is often reduced. 

 Here's the basic rules. 

1. Plan to spend the average SNAP benefit of $5.16 per individual each day as your budget for three (3) days.

2. All food purchased and eaten during the Challenge must be included in the total spending.

3. During the Challenge, only eat food that you purchase for the project (this does not include spices and condiments).

4. Avoid accepting free food from friends, family, or at work, including at receptions, briefings, or other events where food is served (with the exception of food eaten at public places where anyone could eat, e.g., a temporary housing, free community meals, etc.).

     As this is my birthday week for the challenge, perhaps that adds another aspect to reliance on a very limited budget. Appreciating what I have is a gift to myself. I have the benefit of a kitchen full of appliances and loads of spices and condiments. I'll try to limit those. I have the advantage of having a mother that knew how to stretch a low budget to feed a large family, and I learned from her. I'm going to shop only at my nearby grocery store, understanding that part of the hurdle is accessibility to low cost and quality food. It's an expensive store, but I can walk there and back. $15.48 already feels daunting when I look at the store advertisement. I won't have the luxury of variety. Nothing can be wasted. 

     For my age, I should be consuming approximately 1800 calories a day, made up of a balance of protein, grains, dairy, fruit and vegetables. I'll try to not load the three days with cheap, filling, salt heavy foods like boxed macaroni and cheese and hotdogs.  I know this is just a glimpse and short term, not a challenge to say, "see, it can be done" but likely highlight the stress of having to make it work. I'll check back after Thanksgiving to share how I did. 

Edit: I already see such great comments. To be clear, I am no where near the income range to receive benefits, nor are my adult children. This was an exercise to shine light on food insecurity and the challenge to eat healthy on a limited budget. As we all try and make the most from our food funds, all tips are appreciated. I feel when I save in an area of my budget, I can afford to give more generously.