Feeding a Family of 4 on SNAP Benefits

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 I was on StumbleUpon and found (this) over the weekend.  With money tight for many people, getting the most bang for your buck is important right now, and for healthy food, at that.  The article had an RD, Stacey Antine, create a weekly menu for a family of 4 based on the SNAP average (~$4.50 per day or $133/month in New Jersey at least).   She was able to do a menu for $124.06 per week that did not contain high fructose corn syrup or trans fats.  The menu focused on dried beans, eggs, and lentils.  While this was doable, starting in November the SNAP benefits will decrease ($36 less for a family of 4 per month) and over the next decade, they will decrease even more.  There are SNAP-Ed programs in the area for those interested learning about smart shopping and nutrition as well.

While this was a great idea, I do not feel that the menu provided was realistic.  As Antine herself said, “The way this is structured, people have to cook.”  Many people don’t know how to cook or do not have even the most basic, bare minimum things needed to do so.  Already, this could turn people away.  She also had stated that for the menu to be successful, portion control was essential.  Our society in general does not eat “just one” serving of many foods; if someone does portion wisely, they are not in the majority.  Right here we have two major issues that could be barriers to following something like this.  People would need to have the cooking and portioning know-how for this to work.  Additionally, the article stated that the RD was able to shop at a decently sized grocery store.  But for many Americans, a convenience store might be all they have access to.  Factoring in transportation and distance from home if transportation is not available/reliable brings up even more challenges.  Lastly, the SNAP-ed program sounds like a great idea, but transportation and desire to even want to go could be barriers to that.

As almost-RDs, what can we do?  If your client has food allergies or intolerances, that menu simply will not work.  The article mentioned using food pantries to help get families food to last until the end of the month.  But that is also just a supplement.  So, what are your ideas on how to help those who receive SNAP make the most of their benefit and eat healthy?

Source:

Yorio, K. (2013, October 6). Can you feed a family of 4 healthy food for $126 a week? [Web Log Post]. Retrieved from http://www.northjersey.com/community/226631771_Can_you_
feed_a_family_of_4_healthy_food_for__126_a_week_.html

--Christine P.--


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