We are participating in the Tucson Community Food Bank SNAP Challenge again this year. I found our participation last year enlightening, it’s one thing to “say” you recognize the challenge some families face but entirely different to “try” and experience a few days in their shoes.
The idea is to spend only $16 per person on food for the length of the challenge, September 3rd – 6th. SNAP benefits are approximately $4 a day per person and while the benefits are intended to supplement a food budget, the reality is many families have no additional funds for food after paying for diapers, rent, utilities, medical costs and daycare.
Our SNAP Challenge Menu Plan
For our family of 4 that means I have a $64 budget for the 4 days of the SNAP Challenge. I spent extra time pouring over the grocery ads trying to figure out the best way to eat on our SNAP Challenge budget.
I had a couple of food priorities when planning our menu for the challenge.
1. I wanted to minimize the changes to the boys’ school lunches.
Luckily my boys’ don’t have special dietary concerns to worry about. That would be difficult for any family but I imagine it’s a nightmare for families on SNAP. They do have typical kid pickiness with food though and I prefer to keep their lunches as normal as possible so I know they’ll eat it. I hate the idea of them being hungry at school. I started my SNAP challenge shopping list with their lunch items first.
2. My 2nd priority was to incorporate two of our regular dinner recipes into the plan.
Luckily one of our family favorites, Homemade Hamburger Helper is very budget friendly. I also decided to make White Bean and Kale Soup because I think it’s one of our healthier recipes. Our remaining two dinners will be hotdogs and leftovers.
SNAP Challenge Menu Shopping
I ended up shopping at our neighborhood Walmart for the bulk of our food. I price-matched some items and relied on their “lower” prices for other things. I did pick up a few things at my 99 Cents Only store since their deals can be quite good and I do bargain hunt there on a regular basis. I wanted to keep the shopping plan “real” for my family but also simplified. Transportation issues and store proximity makes a big difference on one’s ability to shop often and find food deals.
The SNAP Challenge starts today. If you decide to join in, I would love to hear about it and so would the food bank! Share your experience with the Community Food Bank on twitter and facebook, or even write about it on the Community Food Bank Snap Challenge blog!
Juli says
My thoughts on this are that a lot of people using the SNAP program don’t take the time and/or don’t have the resources to know how to get the best deals. Running into one grocery store to get whatever you want for given meals or snacks is just plain expensive, without planning! I think part of it is a lack of education in this area, not that they can’t or won’t. Many of them are consumed with surviving day to day — and as you said, transportation might be an issue, etc.
I know this might not be a popular opinion and most think this is an awful amount to survive on, but I think it’s quite generous. I think it should come with some simple education — even if it’s just some quick Walmart ad matching tips.
If I got $4 per day for my family, we’d be tripling (or more!) what we spend a month on groceries. So, for me this wouldn’t be a challenge. But, I have the skills and background to know how to hunt down bargains, as well as time and motivation. I realize everyone doesn’t have that — but they can! There are so many resources out there.
I hope you hit your goal and can eat healthy while doing it. It sounds like you have a plan that will work!
Karen says
Juli,
Thanks for the comment, I actually think your sentiment is quite popular especially among coupon/frugal peeps. Most people are pretty divided on this topic, either they think it’s a ton of money to eat on or they are flabbergasted that people have to survive on it.
I think the reality is somewhere in the middle. I think there are people that take advantage and buy the wrong things but I also think there are people that truly need it and just don’t have the time or resources (knowledge, kitchen appliances, transportation, computer access) that would allow them to eat well on a budget.
I really wish that basic budgeting and cooking was a high school class requirement. There is an organization called Share Our Strength which is behind the No Child Hungry campaign. One of their programs is called Cooking Matters, it teaches families the skills to buy and cook healthy, low cost meals. It’s something I think that needs a lot of support! http://cookingmatters.org
I realize how lucky I am to have all the kitchen appliances (extra fridge/freezer to stock up on deals, slow cooker, oven, etc), the time and transportation to shop often grab the best deals, several Walmart (among lots of others grocery stores) that I can price match at. I have access to the grocery ads online (and deal blogs) that help me know what is on sale at various stores.. And I have the knowledge and skills (not that I always use them) to live frugally…
I just find I don’t have the same amount of time to do it as I used to, I try and I should try harder but I do know not everyone is as lucky as me.
Juli says
Totally agree with everything you said! It’s not as simple as anyone on either side thinks. I’m glad to hear about Cooking Matters. I’ll have to check them out. Thanks!
Guest says
I am currently doing the SNAP challenge for the month of September for Hunger Action Month. I have completed the first week and will be starting week 2 tomorrow. I must say that the time I put into my meal planning is at least 50% more than normal. If someone is a single parent working 2 or more jobs (many only work part-time, however with more than one job hours can get crazy regardless) this amount of time would be almost impossible to commit. I agree that education is lacking the HomeEc area in schools. I have been doing a lot of research of the past 8 months or so learning how to budget, how to cook, how to meal plan, how to make small clothing repairs etc. I was not taught these things in school or by my parents. I have vague, distant memories of cooking and sewing with my great grandmother in my very early years of grammar school. I am learning to sew, can, garden, cook from scratch etc all at nearly 30 … If those on snap benefits had a childhood anything like mine they are in the same boat and may not have the time to learn and research these things as I have.