The Food Stamp Challenge
The Food Stamp Challenge gives participants a view of what life can be like for millions of low-income Americans. Challenge participants use the average Food Supplement benefit–$30 per person for the week–as their budget for food for one week. They are forced to make difficult food shopping choices, and often realize how hard it is to avoid hunger, afford nutritious foods, and stay healthy.
Click on the screen icon in the black bar above to view all videos for the September 2011 Food Stamp Challenge.
Download the Food Stamp Challenge Advocacy Book... (pdf)
Read the 2011 Food Stamp Challenge Diary...
Download a list of Challenge events...
See who participated in September 2011...
Visit the January 2011 Challenge archives...
While living on a food stamp budget for just a week cannot come close to the struggles encountered by low-income families week after week and month after month, it does provide those who take the Challenge with a new perspective and greater understanding.
More than 90 people participated in the first annual Maryland Food Stamp Challenge led by Maryland Hunger Solutions in January 2011. Joining MDHS Director Cathy Demeroto, challenge takers in Maryland included state legislators, representatives from the Governor's Office, officials from state agencies, and leaders from the nonprofit community. In September 2011, the number of Challenge participants grew to 175, attracting international media attention.
Interested in organizing your own Food Stamp Challenge? Contact Laura Flamm.
