- Nationally, the Food Stamp Program is now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP)
- Congress established the program under the passage of the Food Stamp Act of 1964
- Originally, books of food stamps were issued but today most benefits are issued via electronic benefits transfer that work like debit cards
- SNAP is the country's largest and most far reaching nutrition program
- In Utah there are over 130,000 people who benefit from the Food Stamp program each month
- 53 percent of Food Stamp recipients are children ages 17 and under
- On average, the Food Stamp Program provides just over $1 per meal in Utah
- Only around 60 percent of eligible people are enrolled in the program
Thanks,
Shawn
It's interesting because if you say $1.52 per meal per person it sounds like hardly anything, and yet $95.00 a week for a family of three is really very ample. So part of this has to do with the way it is presented. I'm getting the impression that this is a step back for your family...do you mind telling us what you usually spend on groceries for a family of 3? I know this wouldn't include eating out, but still I can't imagine that you'd be spending alot more than that. If so, you're either eating very unhealthy, already prepared processed foods, or you're throwing out alot of uneaten food that goes bad.
ReplyDeleteHey thanks for the comment! We've been waiting to hear from someone.
ReplyDeleteWhile we are admittedly generous with our food budget, our money is certainly not spent on processed foods, or I think unhealthy foods. Since we do not eat meat, we buy a lot of cheese and eggs. The rest of our money is spent on fresh fruits, vegetables, beans and grains. Even fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive. A single, large organic apple at $1.99 per pound costs $1.00. The same conventionally grown apple (I was at Smiths yesterday and found them at between $1.49 and $1.79) would still be $0.75 or more. We do choose to buy organic food. This is somewhat for our own health, but more for the health of the people who live around and harvest the food that we eat. We would like when possible for those workers to not be exposed to toxic chemicals. We have the luxury of making certain food choices that many cannot make. We also derive a lot of pleasure from eating and cooking.
To answer your question specifically, we spend between $100 and $150 per week on store purchased food and throw away very little of it. Seemingly we do not need to cut back too much. However, much of the amount over our $95 current budget was spent on snacks (including fairly pricy fruits). And as I’ve said before, several of our meals were eaten out, extending our previous budget at home.
We will talk much more about eating flexibility and food in general in a week or so.
Thanks again.