Reflecting on hunger and the reality of a SNAP budget

Families and seniors in Minnesota are struggling to feed themselves as food prices and food insecurity continue to rise. In 2023, Minnesotans visited food shelves a record 7.5 million times – this number has steadily increased since 2020. Food insecurity among seniors is surging, and visits to food shelves by older adults increased by 64% in 2023. Meals on Wheels has also experienced an exponential increase in the number of seniors reaching out for help. Our numbers have increased 70% since 2020 as we do our best to keep up with need in the community.

Federal assistance provides some relief, but it’s not enough to cover basic needs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) plays an important role in helping people with low incomes, however, the maximum benefit for a Minnesotan is just $5.16 per day. In the three days leading up to Thanksgiving, our friends at the Food Group hosted the SNAP Challenge, in which participants were asked to subsist on $5.16 per day, or $15.48 through the entirety of the challenge.

Our Marketing and Communications Manager Grant Boelter participated in the challenge and shares his reflections:

What does eating on a SNAP budget look like?

Participants in the challenge were asked to shop specifically for the challenge, but with a surplus of food at home that would spoil after a long weekend of travel to visit family, I elected to work with what we had on hand. Here’s what I ate over those three days along with the prices I estimated to the best of my ability:

Hnub Monday

2 cups of coffee $.50
2 slices of bread $1
2 eggs $.66
1 slice peanut butter toast $.50
2 cup of tea $.30
1 carrot $.25
Bowl of potato-leek soup $1.50
1 slice of bread $.50
4 cookies (baked at home by my wife) $0.40

Hnub Tuesday

2 slices of peanut butter toast $1
1 carrot $.25
3 cookies $.30
2 cups coffee $.50
2 cups of tea $.30
2 squashes to bring to a friend’s dinner $2.50

Hnub Wednesday

2 cups coffee $.50
2 slices of peanut butter toast $1
1 bowl of potato-leek soup $1.50
3 carrots $.75
Butterhorn rolls and cookies at in-laws’ $1.25

Total cost estimate for the three days: $15.46

Reflections

As a slightly larger than average, active man in his early 40s, what I ate during these three days was significantly less than what I would usually eat. I went into the challenge knowing that any discomfort would be temporary and I still found it both mentally and physically challenging.

Food was always on my mind. For most of the three days, I either felt hungry or was preoccupied with when and what I would eat. When deciding what to eat, it was less about what seemed appealing and more about what would be the most filling.

‘Simple pleasures’ became complicated. Plain and simple, I’m addicted to caffeine and consider my morning cups of coffee and afternoon tea as simple pleasures. When I had to choose those drinks over something I might eat, the decision to indulge became more fraught.

My routine was altered. I snack often, but there just wasn’t much room in the budget for it. I snacked less and mainly stuck to carrots because they seemed more filling at their price than my usual snacks like an apple or nuts. On Monday, I skipped a planned workout because I just didn’t have the energy due to eating less than usual.

My many privileges were clear. My wife and I have the time and resources to cook and bake. We have lots of cookbooks, access to recipes online, and a well-stocked pantry full of spices and condiments to make simple foods more flavorful. Perhaps even more importantly, we have friends and family nearby, most of whom aren’t struggling with their food budgets. We had dinner at a friend’s house on Tuesday to which we brought roasted squash as a side. They provided everything else. That evening was the only time I felt truly satisfied during the challenge. I felt some shame over not contributing more to the meal, but knew that our hosts weren’t judging me.

The importance of SNAP can’t be overstated

While eating on a SNAP budget alone is challenging, the value of the program is essential to those who use it. For anyone struggling with food insecurity, the Food Help Line (1-888-711-1151) is a great resource that can help determine eligibility for SNAP and connect individuals with other food-related resources.

And of course, seniors and people with disabilities who could benefit from receiving meals delivered to their homes can sau npe ntawm no lossis muab peb tus xov tooj rau 612-623-3363.