Second Harvest Food Bank SNAP Challenge 2017

Thank you for joining the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida SNAP Challenge 2017! By agreeing to take the SNAP challenge, you are agreeing to attempt to live on a food stamp budget. While living on a food stamp budget for just a few days cannot come close to the struggles low-income families encounter month after month, the challenge will provide a brief experience as to what life is like. When a gallon of milk costs half of your entire day’s food budget, you’ll never look at grocery shopping the same way again.

Why should I take the challenge?
SNAP is the nation’s single most important program in the fight against hunger. The 2018 Farm bill, the largest piece of legislation that provides funding for SNAP, TEFAP and other agriculture programs, is up for renewal and negotiations will start soon in DC. There are proposals right now that aim to reduce benefits and limit the number of people eligible. Any cut to food stamps will only add to the need that food pantries are already struggling to fill.

SNAP Challenge Rules

1. Pick either one day or three days within the month of September to participate in the SNAP challenge;
2. Participants can spend $6.67 on food for an entire day. This is equivalent to the amount a person that receives food stamps has for each day;
3. Participants cannot accept free food from friends or family members and should not use food that is already in their home (common spices and condiments are allowed);
4. Keep all receipts and track your food and beverage spending;
5. Participants are encouraged to share their experience following the challenge through video, blog post or simply by filling out our questionnaire.

What can I buy with SNAP?

Food that can be purchased:
Non-prepared food items; Breads and cereals; Fruits and vegetables; Meats, fish and poultry; Food for the household to eat.

Foods that cannot be purchased:
Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco; Non-food items; Pet foods; Household supplies (soap, paper products, etc); Vitamins and medicines; Hot (prepared) food.

What to do during and after the SNAP challenge

Share your personal experience via social media and tag Second Harvest with #feedhopenow.  We ask that you answer at least one of the SNAP challenge debrief questions below.

To Tag:

• Facebook (www.facebook.com/feedhopenow)
• Tweet to us: @feedhopenow
• Instagram: @feedhopenow

To Answer:

1. Why did you join the SNAP challenge?
2. What was your experience with food shopping? Was $6.67 enough for an entire day?
3. Did you eat well on the SNAP challenge? How did you feel?
4. What kind of meals did you eat/prepare?
5. What was the most difficult thing you faced during the challenge?
6. Do you have any additional thoughts or comments about living for a day on a SNAP budget?

You also have the option to send your videos, blog posts or answers to info@feedhopenow.org.

Help us educate others about SNAP by sharing the graphics and tweets below.