SNAP Diet Challenge

The challenge

I am taking a course on Nutrition in the Community, which covers nutrition programs and policies, as well as disparities in health and food security. The largest federal nutrition program in the United States is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formally known as the Food Stamp Program and also known as CalFresh in California. It supports more than 40 million low-income Americans by providing monthly cash benefits ("food stamps") for purchasing food.

One of the final assignments in this class is to complete the 7-day SNAP challenge, which attempts to simulate dependence on food stamps in order to raise awareness about poverty and hunger in the nation. The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) began the trend around 2006. In 2013, lawmakers and government officials participated in the challenge to protest budget cuts to the program. Ron Shaich, founder and CEO of Panera Bread, also joined the trend in the face of a 15% national poverty rate. That year, the program reached its peak in participation and spending, at 47.6 million people and $79.9 million, respectively. 

Since then, both SNAP participation and spending have been steadily declining. Average SNAP benefits fell by 7% in 2014 after the Recovery Act benefit increase expired. At the same time, fewer low-income families qualified for SNAP. In fiscal year 2017, the average SNAP recipient received about $125 a month (~$4.15 a day, or $1.40 per meal), decreased from about $133 per month in 2013.

Guidelines

People have taken different approaches to the challenge, using either the daily or weekly budget. I am using the following guidelines based on my class assignment, which were adapted from the FRAC's toolkit:

  • Spend $4.15 per person per day for your entire food and drink budget
    • This includes: staples and condiments already on hand
    • This excludes: tap water, salt, pepper
  • Do not accept free food or drink from anyone anywhere
  • If you have a garden or forage for food, estimate the price

Limitations

  • SNAP benefits are meant to be supplemental and not the only source for food
  • This challenge lasts only for one week and does not fully capture what low-income families live through in the long-term
  • SNAP participants include low-income families, low-income seniors, and the disabled -- these vulnerable populations may have different nutrition needs than that of a college student
  • Basically anyone would take any opportunity to accept food at no cost, however there is no guarantee that SNAP recipients will consistently have access to free food
  • There are guides for planning how to conquer this challenge, but in reality, SNAP participants may not have the time or resources available to prepare healthful, nutritious meals on a low budget

I look forward to sharing my experience and reflections on this challenge.

FoodMichaela Ramirez MDSNAP challenge