Could you eat with only $4.50 a day?

Do you think you could live on $4.50 a day? That’s the average amount of money that 500,000 Coloradans are receiving from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.   

Thousands of our neighbors subsist on such a budget for themselves and their families through their SNAP benefits. The federal nutrition program, previously known as food stamps, provides households with the financial resources to purchase groceries—literally putting food on tables for millions of American children, adults and seniors.

Many families survive entirely on the food acquired through their SNAP benefits, which affords $31.92 per week to the average recipient in Colorado. What if that’s all you had to spend on groceries?

The Food Bank for Larimer County, in partnership with the Coloradoan, will be hosting a SNAP Challenge for five days during Hunger Action Month this September.  As an influential member of our community, we cordially invite you to take part of this experience. 

The SNAP Challenge gives participants a view of what life can be like for millions of low-income Americans. Challenge participants are forced to make food shopping choices on a limited budget, and often realize how difficult it is to avoid hunger, afford nutritious foods, and stay healthy with too few resources.

Members of Congress, governors, state officials, journalists and other community leaders have taken the Challenge and have learned firsthand what it is like to try to make ends meet on the average SNAP benefit.

While living on a SNAP 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.

Are you up for the Challenge?  Here is how it works:

The SNAP challenge will take place from September 9^th to September 13^th.  

Your food budget for the five days of the Challenge will be based on the average SNAP benefit, which is $4.50 per person per day– for ALL your food and beverages. You can use coupons while taking the Challenge but should not shop at membership clubs.

Using your Challenge budget, decide on groceries to purchase and how much to put aside for food incidentals. Be aware of ALL food purchased and eaten during the Challenge days. 

During the Challenge, do not eat food that you purchased prior to starting the challenge. Condiments and cooking oils are accepted because they are not purchased weekly. 

Avoid accepting free food from friends, family, or while at work.

Keep track of receipts on food spending and take note of your experiences throughout the week, in particular the choices you made between the variety and quality of food you ate. You will be submitting your notes and receipts to the Coloradoan nightly. 

Invite others to join you, including your co-workers, family members, and elected officials.

Share your SNAP Challenge through social media and by blogging about your experience. Please use the hash tag #SNAPchallenge

 The Registered Dietitian from the Food Bank will evaluate your shopping list.  

Check back at to this blog daily to check on our progress!

For more information on the Challenge or Hunger Action Month  visit foodbanklarimer.org email Lauren Ross Dewey.