Food Stamp Challenge: Day 4

Along with about 100 other participants, I am in the middle of the Maryland Food Stamp Challenge. This week (October 9 - 15) we are eating only what we can buy with $30. That's the average amount recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) have per person per week.

I'm healthy, but hungry.

Breakfast today was oatmeal, with a half a banana as a mid-morning snack. Lunch will be mac and cheese with ground turkey - leftovers from last night's dinner. Dinner will be canned pork and beans, with maybe some rice. I'll have to decide whether to break into my last can of vegetables, or to save it for later in the week. (Why not celebrate? It's my birthday after all).


I'm used to bigger meals, more variety, and more opportunities to snack between meals.

Over 700,000 Marylanders depend on SNAP from every jurisdiction in the state. 

Nationally, 80 percent of SNAP participants are children, parents, or senior citizens.  Thirty percent of SNAP households include wage-earners, but do not bring in enough income to afford decent food. Other SNAP recipients are out of work and drawing unemployment, or are retired and getting social security. SNAP provides critical resources to keep the wolf from the door.

Based on data from before the national recession, SNAP is mostly a help to households during a tough spell. Most SNAP recipients in all categories are on the program for less than 12 months at a stretch. Seniors are the most likely to stay on the program longer than that.

In Congress, SNAP funding is on the chopping block. After a desperate fight funding is now in place through March. After that, SNAP is on the bargaining table as Congress negotiates the federal budget and deficit reduction after the November election.

Food for struggling families should not be at risk. Congress must provide adequate funding for SNAP as part of any budget deal. Otherwise, they are playing politics with the health and well being of kids, working parents and seniors.