n 2009, President Obama's Recovery Act boosted food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) to help hungry people and to jump start the economy. This program ends on November 1st. The US government will cut SNAP benefits by family size:
$11 for 1 person
$20 for 2 people
$29 for 3 people
$36 for 4 people
Please join me in taking the SNAPcut Challenge to increase awareness of what this will mean at the table. Week 1, we'll live on the current maximum SNAP allowance in our states. In the second week, we'll live on the reduced amount. Some of us will get our first glimpses of what its really like to live on such a restricted budget. Others will see what the difference this particular cut makes. This gut-level knowledge will help us communicate better with government leaders. I hope it inspires us to be more effective in assisting people who will be living with this cut long after the Challenge is over.
My husband and I are on eating on $84.46 the first week and $79.86 the second week here in North Carolina. We started on Monday October 14, so it's day 5 now. During the October SNAPcut Challenge, I'm posting daily at CookforGood.com as I figure out what to buy, when to cook, and what to eat. Join in now if you want or start when I do it again starting November 4th. For the November challenge, you'll be able to use my shopping lists, menus, and tips. No matter how you slice it, it should be enlightening!
See below the fold for some money-saving ideas and highlights of my #SNAPcut Challenge to date.
How much can you spend on SNAP? To make this as real as possible, set your food budget to match the actual SNAP amounts in your state. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has information on SNAP by state, plus a link to your state website. Look on your state website for the benefits by family size.
Then find the maximum monthly benefit for your family size. See my guide to what you can buy or make your own rules.
I'm shopping as I usually do for the October challenge, at my local farmers' market and at Whole Foods, with a small stop at Food Lion. For November, I'm going to shop at Walmart, because that is where most people on food stamps shop (and where many work). I only shop there when out of town and when there is no other option, but I want to experience what it's like for those who rely on this biggest of big-box stores.
Lessons so far:
- Banana water is delicious and healthy (pour hot water over a clean, organic banana peel and let steep for about 20 minutes).
- Adding a scrap jar to my kitchen tricks means less waste and better broth.
- I'm having to speed it up and do without. It's thriftiest and healthiest to cook real food from scratch, but it can be a lot of work. I shudder to think about doing this after a long day on my feet, two (or four!) bus rides, and with kids.
- Spicy Peanut Noodles is still the dish that rules them all, showing how to eat with the seasons, reduce waste, and get more pleasure out of thrifty food.
Even though I'm an expert shopper and meal planner, I'm going to run out of peanut butter on Sunday. I'm short on flour now and long on diced tomatoes.
What about you?Have you ever taking a SNAP or food-stamp challenge? What was it like? Have you / do you use SNAP or other similar benefits? What should we know? How will the November cuts change your life?