It’s pretty much all over the place in the world of food related news. Last week, members of Congress and anyone who wished to join them, were invited to do the “Food Stamp Challenge”– buying groceries on a budget of $21 per person per week. Started by Oregon governor, Ted Kulongoski to show how badly the food stamp program needs to be overhauled. The media printed a picture of Kulongoski, putting back a couple of bananas and the message was clear: our country doesn’t do enough to feed the hungry.
I avoided blogging on it because I thought it was bunk. The more research I do, the more I am convinced that it is. I’m not saying that people should go hungry and I’m not saying that the food stamp program doesn’t need massive reform. I’m just saying that the idea that food stamp recipients need more money to feed their family is just not true.
How Much Can You Get With Food Stamps?
Let’s assume that my family finds hard times. My husband loses his job, our resources are gone. According to the United States government–we are eligible for up to $816 of Food Stamps per month. That’s for a family of 7 who has nothing. Now because I have children ages 4 and under. . .we would also qualify for WIC so the amount we’d get from Food Stamps would be less but we’d of course, get the food from WIC.
But now I find myself in a quandary. $816 per month for 7 people is about $120 + per month per member. I actually spend between $350 to $450 per month on groceries and that includes things that food stamps would not buy like diapers, laundry detergent etc. So I’m wondering why can’t someone feed themselves and their family off of $816? There are not many people here who could argue their cost of living to be higher than ours either. I haven’t even mentioned the free breakfast and free lunch programs provided by the federal government via the local schools. (Although not every family on food stamps includes children.)
And why exactly is the average recipient in Oregon getting $21? Well, because how much you get is based on need. So when we read $21 per week we all think, “Oh gee–how horrible. I could never do that.” But what we need to be asking is how much in resources does the average person on food stamps have? I suspect they have enough resources to find a way to make $21 per week work for their food related groceries.
Do we need public assistance reform? Sure-let’s start with WIC promoting breastfeeding by paying for IBCLC lactation consultants rather than formula. (WIC does pay for these services in some states.) Let’s overhaul the menus of the free breakfast and lunch programs to promote healthy options like fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and low fat yogurt. Let’s educate parents on how to fill their grocery cart full of nutritious food for $21. I’m here to say it can be done. I can’t speak for the frugal blog but I would be shocked if any of them spent significantly more than $21 per person on food per week. Let’s not sensationalize a need that doesn’t truly exist.