According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a record 47.1 million Americans are a part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as the Food Stamp program. The U.S. Census Bureau claims that, here in Washington, DC, 18.7% of the population live below the poverty line. In fact, a recent Washington Post article says that nearly 1 in 5 DC residents receive SNAP benefits. Millions of Americans resort to unhealthy diets because they believe that SNAP benefits give them very little opportunities to make healthy eating choices.
First, I want to thank Mayor Cory Booker for using his national profile to bring attention to the difficulties faced by the working poor in getting nutritious food to the table. Unfortunately, one week is not enough. We need ideas to help others. This nine-week series starting April 1 will attempt to show that a person can be vegan, or at least vegetarian on a SNAP budget. In DC, the maximum SNAP benefit for a single person, is $200 per month.
I will:
- Shop only at stores that accept SNAP cards,
- List the names of the grocery stores, I've shopped at
- Keep an online pantry
