Day 7: I Choose To Never Forget

I have finished my eggs, my bread, my carrots, my pasta, my jar of sauce, my yogurt, my bread, my bananas, and all that remains is a cup of ramen noodles and 1.5 bags of frozen vegetables. I have finished the SNAP challenge. During this week of necessary frugality and its resulting hunger, I have learned many things about myself and life for those on foodstamps in America.

Things I've learned about myself:
1. I probably eat too much.
2. Cooking more would be beneficial (and fun)
3. I should be more mindful about what I eat
4. I should be more mindful about what I spend on food
5. I am forever grateful for my nearly unlimited access to food

Things I've learned about SNAP:
1. $1.40 per person per meal is not enough--you are always hungry!
2. $1.40 per person per meal does not allow for balanced meals
3. $1.40 per person per meal is a disgrace. People apply for SNAP because they need it and for many its all that they have to spend on food. Our great nation should not be shrugging off those who need assistance with pocket change.
4. The SNAP program requires much more discussion and reform. How do we decide who really needs SNAP? How long should they have access to SNAP? What can we afford to give for SNAP that's cost efficient but doesn't leave masses of people hungry? These are questions that require input from all sides.
5. There is no shame in SNAP-- we all need financial help sometimes, and SNAP is designed to be just that: temporary food assistance for those in need. I don't believe that SNAP should ever become permanent assistance, but we need to support and accept those who truly need help.

To opponents of funding SNAP and assistance programs like it I say this: It is too easy to sit comfortably with a roof over our heads and full bellies and proclaim that government assistance is too expensive. Before any of us condemn the budget we must live on it! We will find out more about ourselves and our society than we expect.

From this moment forward I choose to be involved in the SNAP discussion, I choose to appreciate all that I have, I choose to eat mindfully, I choose to eat healthy and, above all else, I choose to never forget this experience.

Eat Well & Be Merry!
James