Food Stamp Challenge Diary

by Mark Leno [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

I truly appreciate the support and encouragement I have received from colleagues and friends as I started this week to learn for myself if food stamp benefits are enough to eat adequately and nutritiously, while balancing a busy life.  I can already tell you that the experience has truly lived up to its name? it really is a challenge.

Yesterday I began the day with a bowl of cereal, which isn?t a huge departure from what I usually eat.  But as the day wore on, I began to notice the many food choices that were available to me before the challenge, but are no longer.  A generous staff member happened to bring in four dozen hand-dipped chocolate strawberries.  An array of cheeses and fresh fruits tempted me in the Assembly member?s lounge.  All of it was off limits. 
At lunchtime I prepared a bowl of chicken noodle soup.  The afternoon didn?t get much easier as directly following session I made a quick stop at an event overflowing with delicacies that a person on food stamps certainly couldn?t afford. 

Having not eaten since my lunch soup, I headed back to work for a 7 p.m. continuation of our Budget Conference Committee.  A glass of water carried me through to it?s conclusion at 9:30 p.m. 

When I arrived home at 10:30 p.m., the evening?s bowl of cereal could wait no longer.  The temptation to have a second bowl was tempered by the knowledge that the two boxes of cereal I bought on Sunday need to get me through the entire week.

As hungry as I am, this challenge has gripped me.  My intent is to continue it through the week.