Food Stamp Challenge
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Sep. 7-13 is Food Stamp Challenge week. An average food stamp recipient receives $21 per week - $1 per meal and the challenge is to see if YOU can live under a food stamp budget.

Well, you might notice I am *actually* doing the budget challenge this month, and our monthly budget for all household goods is $750.

Our food stamp budget, for 9 people, would be $756 for 4 weeks. So I suppose I'm already doing the challenge!


During Hunger Action Month, I pledge to take the Food Stamp
Challenge in order to better understand how the program is working on a personal
level. For one week in September 2008, I will take part in the challenge and
will live on the nationwide average food stamp benefit. According to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for administering the Food Stamp
Program, the nationwide average monthly benefit in FY 2005 was $94.05,
approximately $3 a day or $1 a meal.


You, your spouse, friends, and co-workers are encouraged to join the
Challenge and share your experiences of a week of living on a food stamp diet
online at www.easttexasfoodbank.org.
Now, according to the rules you are not supposed to eat food you already have in the house, but I'm not going to follow that rule. We have lots of food stocked, and on my shopping trips I basically buy the same things to replenish the supply. Also, two weeks ago hubs bought pork ribs (99 cents per pound) with the intention of grilling them Sunday.

I'll be posting a menu after I hit the stores. In my coupon box, I have index cards with different cuts of meat listed and dishes I can make filled in underneath. We'll see if there are any specials at the store before I make my list. I'll be hitting HEB for meat and sale items, and FoodTown for produce and canned goods.

Anyone want to join me, as I join Shanda at Embraced and Being Embraced in this challenge?

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posted by Milehimama @ Mama Says at 9/06/2008 09:59:00 AM | Permalink | |