Food Stamp Challenge > Rexroad.com

Last Tuesday the Board of Supervisors started the day at the Yolo County Food Bank. We were given some information on the Food Stamp Challenge. It is a challenge to live on $3 a day for five days. I actually think I can do it. It is intended to show how difficult it would be to live off the food stamp allowance.

Here is a story I found on the issue.

So here is my plan. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I will try it for five days. $15 for five days. I need to do some research but I think I can make it happen.

Here is my general breakdown of what I will do with the $15.

Chicken Livers -- $4
Frozen OJ -- $3
Rice --$2
Beans -- $2
Fruit -- $2
Bread - $2

The plan would be to see if I can make a stew with some of the stuff above and then see how it goes.

Then I will see if i can catch a couple fish to be able to add to the above. I could also try and get a duck or pheasant.

I will need to get off Diet Coke prior to that and drink lots of water.

We will see -- but I think I can do this and not be hungry. If I was planning on it and could get a garden going I am sure that I could do it well and probably eat healthier than I am now.

Anyone want to join me on this?

Comments

By yolovoter @ Friday, September 26, 2008 8:22 PM

This thread is idiodic and absurd. I'd be willing to bet most people in the u.s. eat for less than $3/day. I eat probably one dollar per day unless i get wasted, in which case I will most likely pay more than I would normally for the convienence of eating without driving (pizza delivery suddendly becomes very, very cheap when you factor in the cost of a dui).

By YoloCalVet @ Friday, September 26, 2008 8:27 PM

Hook up with another 3 dollar a day person and buy a $5 foot long and split it. You have saved a net $.50 at he end of the week you have saved $2.50

Hell, you might even get a gig selling sandwiches like that other guy.

By yolovoter @ Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:29 AM

And, why the chicken livers?! Not even people in Esparto eat chicken livers.

By Matt Rexroad @ Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:32 AM

Chicken livers i think are full of nutrients and inexpensive. If you have other suggestions -- bring them on.

By Matt Rexroad @ Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:34 AM

Yolovoter -- you are usually arguing that government (taxpayers) give more to people. Are you then good with cutting the amount given to food stamp recipients? $1 a day is fine then?

By Charlie in Esparto @ Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:55 AM

I lived on about $5 a week in college...true things were a bit cheaper 2 decades ago...but I got by fine (potatos, turkey legs, etc..good stuff)...back then at Chico Rent was first, then Beer, then food...laugh. Hunger made me work the weekends...so it was good for me.

Yolovoter...Buzz off on Esparto...Doubt you even know many folks out here.

Charlie-san

By YoloCalVet @ Saturday, September 27, 2008 4:17 PM

Chicken Livers ae dual purpose. Food and catfish bait.
Also it is doubtful anyone would boost your chicken livers as opposed to a nice t-bone in the 'fridge (Sac State room mate did that screwed up my date)

Call it Pate' Chef Rexroad.

By yolovoter @ Saturday, September 27, 2008 6:08 PM

Well now that you have me thinking about it, I do actually have a julia child recipe for chicken liver mousse. I haven't tried it yet, but will get around to it. If you want it I can email it.

By brokeacres @ Sunday, September 28, 2008 2:42 PM

I might do this with you Matt. I figured it out and my family of four already eat on $5.00 per day. I cook and that makes a difference. Food is better for you, tastes better, and cheaper.

Here are some tips.

whole chicken - individual parts are more expensive.

flour - make your own bread, biscuits, pancakes, noodles, tortillas, etc.

fruit/vegetables - only buy in season or canned/frozen

Cheap Meals:

Spanish rice w/hamburger
Chicken soup
scallop potatoes w/hot dogs sliced
tuna noodle casserole
chili beans w/hamburger
tamale pie

By Charlie in Esparto @ Sunday, September 28, 2008 9:29 PM

Brokeacres...Don’t forget it is ‘frozen turkey season’. This time of year they are cheap and I fill my freezer with them. I see that SaveMart in Davis as 18-20 lb'ers for $10 this week. When they hit $7 I usually try to buy a dozen of them. But as most folks know who know me say I am very fiscally conservative...(most say 'cheap'--laugh) If fact when I returned from OIF/OEF about a year ago…I had frozen turkeys that were, in some cases, 8 years frozen…lol…they ate and tasted just fine. Charlie-san

By Jody Dutton @ Monday, September 29, 2008 9:31 AM

How about trying it FOR Thanksgiving or Christmas??? Considering that these two holidays are generally an over indulgence for most I think this wold be the greatest challenge. Having a Holiday Dinner on $3??

By brokeacres @ Monday, September 29, 2008 10:21 PM

Jody,

I would blow the whole deal between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm all about the See's Candy!!!!

By Jody Dutton @ Tuesday, September 30, 2008 11:18 AM

Maybe between Christmas and New Year's...and hope you get a couple pounds of See's for Christmas!!

By mlstephens @ Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:24 PM

What about Top Ramen? Not very healthy but 10 for a $1.00 is my kind of bargain. I couldn't imagine going a Christmas without Norwegian cookies. But I guess that is the whole point -- to go without. Interesting challenge. I think I'll try it.

By jlyoung @ Tuesday, September 30, 2008 4:33 PM

While I admire your resolve to see this through, I see some holes in your plan that you may not have thought about.
In order to fish and hunt, you will need licenses. A fishing license, with all required stamps, runs near $40. A hunting license with your upland game bird stamps probably runs a little more (I don't know the cost for this year, my guys haven't got their stamps yet).
Plus, you'll need fishing gear, which doesn't have to be fancy. You can actually go to yard sales and get some pretty decent gear for cheap.
Hunting gear, on the other hand, is quite pricy, especially shells, if you can find them in Wodland (they never seem to carry enough at WalMart). Usually people already have a shotgun that has been bought earlier or handed down, so that wouldn't be an issue.

So, I guess my point is it might be kind of unrealistic for someone who is on the food stamp program to have the funds to hunt and fish. But I do have some really good recipes for duck a l'orange, roasted pheasant, dove cacciatore, and I hubby makes a mean deep fried striper and chips if you can make all this work!

By Charlie in Esparto @ Thursday, October 02, 2008 12:16 PM

Case in Point: Tonight we are having the $5 BBQ at the Esparto lions Club (members only): 1 Chicken Breast (8oz-$.70 @ $1.35Lb) quarter slab of Pork Ribs (12oz-$1.05 @ $1.35lb). 1 baked Potato with foil and sour cream about $.20. Baked Squash quarter $.40 (aprox 6 oz @$1.15lb) Corn on Cob 30 cents, watermelon slice 25 cents., paper plate and napkins 10 cents...that is quite a bit of food and a really great meal for $3 a person..and the lions make a profit of about $2 a person! Charlie-san...”Lions Club BBQ Chief”..LOL

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