Today is Day 5 of the SNAP Challenge. As Open Farms Director at Open Arms of Minnesota I grow organic vegetables for the Open Arms Kitchen. Along with many of my co-workers and friends at Open Arms we’re taking part in this year’s SNAP Challenge. As part of the challenge my wife and I are both eating on $30.25 apiece for the week leading up to Thanksgiving Day. We’re both following a meal plan (with a few modifications) constructed by the Gwen Hill, Open Arms' Dietician.
The first few days were the hardest as I got used to
rationing everything.
Truth be told I don’t think I would get along on $30.25 for very long or
very well. But a funny thing happened along the way. I am not that hungry on
this menu though as a farmer I can’t help but notice that the fresh vegetables
consist mainly of a carrot and an orange here and there. I suspect that I’m not
hungry because I substituted the chicken on the menu with a 20 lb. turkey at
the local grocery store that went for about $12. That’s a whole lot of
meat. Though I’m already getting tired
of turkey
The point of the challenge, however isn’t only to see how
creative you can get about your shopping dollars and then brag about it. I’ve noticed something happening to me during the
challenge. Though I grew up for a time
on Food Stamps and free and reduced lunches at school, I recently haven't thought much about my own ability to pay for good food. But for many too many people eating good food consistently is anything but
normal. Now I realize – again – that the
struggle to access and pay for good, nourishing food week in and week out is often the reality of life. At Open Arms and at Open Farms we’re joining the conversation about Food
Justice this Thanksgiving week and every week.
I hope you’ll join us.
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