Entitled to Food

(Photo: (c) Istock Jim Jurica)

I really do think Americans are entitled to food. Freedom from hunger is a real human need, not a luxury. The consequences of inadequate or low-quality food are dire for our community and those in need.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of the most effective programs we have for fighting hunger (especially among children), for improving health, and for upholding human dignity. Nevertheless, conservatives in Congress are attacking the budget for SNAP.

So how much food are we entitled to? SNAP recipients have to make do with about $30 per week per person.

Is that enough? Well, here's how we can find out. October 9 - 15, Maryland Hunger Solutions is sponsoring the Food Stamp Challenge. Regular people all over Maryland are signing up to see how well we can do living on a food stamp budget. I'll be participating again, and I urge you to do it as well. Then you can begin to judge if $30 a week is a humane food budget.

Food Stamp Challenge 2011 - Lunch day 5 - Mac and cheese with tuna - delicious (Photo: Valerie Devaris)

Yet even the experience of eating for just $30 for one week cannot replicate the lived experience of those in need. Many SNAP recipients lack access to decent transit or own a car. There are fewer grocery store options (or maybe none) in their neighborhood. And the mental energy required to manage a very tight budget - one where wasting $5 is the difference between every member of your family eating or fasting at the end of the month - is draining.

I'll check in from time to time as the week progresses.