Variety not much of a consideration on food stamps
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Editor's note: A few U.S. representatives earlier this year took the food stamp challenge and attempted to live for a week on the average food stamp budget — $21.
Taking a cue from them, we decided to see if we could fill our stomachs for seven days on $25.25, the amount the average Clark County food stamp recipient receives per week.
Extras
I conquered the food stamp challenge.
But I'm not ready to declare myself a victor. I did it for a week. I'm not sure I could do it for two.
I never went hungry, but I brooded over the hamburger or piece of chocolate that was just out of reach.
I sincerely missed my husband's and my weekly dinner out.
For one week, eating was utilitarian. Almost a chore.
My husband frequently comments (only half-jokingly) on my childlike tastes. I don't care for steak. I eat peanut butter — by choice — for about five meals a week.
So I didn't think the food stamp challenge would prove too difficult.
My mistake.
Staying within the prescribed money limit was easy, but eating the same meal over and over again was tough.
I spent $18.50 of the $25.25 that was at my disposal for the week, but I had variations of just three meals for 14 consecutive lunches and suppers.
I started the week as if I had nothing. No staples, such as bags of flour or sugar. No jug of milk, no carton of eggs.
Normally I would buy in bulk a few frequently-used items.
I settled on a nearly 32-ounce jar of couscous, but I was afraid the largest jars of peanut butter or salsa would break my budget.
At the end of the week, I had food left over. I could have sprung for more fruit, and maybe even some sweets. But I was cautious and left money in case I ran out of food.
In the interest of full disclosure, I had a couple of minor indiscretions: I "borrowed" a couple of tablespoons of
vegetable oil to fry quesadillas and once took a sip of black cherry-flavored water my husband asked me to sample.
However, I nibbled my own food at Sunday dinner at my mother-in-law's house while everyone else munched on steak and bruschetta and washed it down with homemade mint limeade.
And I resisted the strawberry-rhubarb pie that capped off the meal.
But I had an advantage not available to many on food stamps — a firm ending date. My mother-in-law packed up a piece of pie for me to enjoy then.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or derwin@coxohio.com.
