by Kimberley Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions
With Child Nutrition Reauthorization coming up, we need to impress upon Congress the importance of making hunger a top priority and simply providing meals to people who are hungry. In addition to talking about these nutrition programs with your community to make sure that everyone eligible participates, it is now also your duty to talk to those who make decisions and let them know how important it is to ensure that the people living in this country do not go to bed hungry.
Take action now: individuals can write letters to Maryland's Congressional representatives, and organizations can sign onto the Statement of Principles for Child Nutrition Reauthorization at the Food Research and Action Center's (FRAC) Web site.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Making Sure Maryland's Children Are Fed This Summer
by Kimberley Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions
We're in a recession, school is about to get out and a lot of children who depend on school meals will have to find another place for their meals. As a mother of three young boys, I know the fears and worries that families face as they try to pay for their housing, transportation, energy, childcare, credit card bills, and all the other bills that tend to come out of nowhere. My car recently broke down and now I have to pay an additional $800 - hmmm, where is THAT money coming from!
Add to that the worry of making sure your children have food on the table and it can all drive you to the edge. This is where I think that we all need to step up and let everyone in your community know about the federal nutrition programs - especially the summer meals programs.
If you work with children,
if you run a summer program,
if you are able to run a summer program,
it is your duty to make sure that your program uses the federal summer meals program to leverage your budget and serve meals to as many children as you can for as long as you can this summer.
If you work with children,
if you have children,
if you see children in your community,
it is your duty to make sure that they are connected to programs that provide meals in the summer.
Go to www.mdsummermeals.org to find out more about programs in your area.
We're in a recession, school is about to get out and a lot of children who depend on school meals will have to find another place for their meals. As a mother of three young boys, I know the fears and worries that families face as they try to pay for their housing, transportation, energy, childcare, credit card bills, and all the other bills that tend to come out of nowhere. My car recently broke down and now I have to pay an additional $800 - hmmm, where is THAT money coming from!
Add to that the worry of making sure your children have food on the table and it can all drive you to the edge. This is where I think that we all need to step up and let everyone in your community know about the federal nutrition programs - especially the summer meals programs.
If you work with children,
if you run a summer program,
if you are able to run a summer program,
it is your duty to make sure that your program uses the federal summer meals program to leverage your budget and serve meals to as many children as you can for as long as you can this summer.
If you work with children,
if you have children,
if you see children in your community,
it is your duty to make sure that they are connected to programs that provide meals in the summer.
Go to www.mdsummermeals.org to find out more about programs in your area.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
USDA Listening Tour comes to Baltimore City
by Kimberley Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions
Yesterday the 3rd Floor Auditorium of the Enoch Pratt Central Library in Baltimore, Maryland was filled with people listening and waiting to testify about the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization process. Yvette Jackson, Regional Administrator for the USDA Food and Nutrition Mid-Atlantic Region and her team listened attentively as approximately 50 people provided their thoughts and insights into the child nutrition and WIC programs.
It was fascinating to watch child care advocates, nutritionists, physicians, state directors, industry representatives, cafeteria service providers, parents, anti-hunger advocates and others speak so persuasively about the need to make these programs as accessible and healthy for all. Among some of the many issues that came up were the need for more nutrition education, greater reimbursements because of the high prices of foods, more investments in equipment to help schools better serve meals and getting more local foods in schools. There were also several industry groups, such as those for dairy, apples, potatoes, and processed meats that pled their cases during the testimony.
Remember, if you have something to say about the child nutrition and WIC programs, it is not too late. USDA is still taking written comments until October 15, 2008. For more information, visit the FRAC website at http://www.frac.org/html/
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
"Creativity and Collaboration" - a solution to obesity
by Sabina Payen, Maryland Hunger Solutions Summer Intern
Maryland Hunger Solutions was among the large group of health officials, legislators, community advocates and others who came together Tuesday to discuss the issues of obesity and nutrition in Maryland. The Healthy Active Maryland 2008 symposium on the challenges and solutions to addressing obesity was planned by the MD Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyle Coalition. The goal of the event was to empower Maryland partners to address challenges in obesity prevention efforts and to learn the practical programs, policies and solutions.
Ken Stanton, PhD, from the University of Baltimore was the keynote speaker. He made the point that "cheap food" or unhealthy food was a factor in obesity. The unhealthy stuff is the most affordable. I'll admit I live off the $3 meal of a burger, fries and soda instead of going to the market and buying healthy foods and preparing it myself.
Secretary Gloria Lawlah, Maryland Department Aging, one of the panel speakers, gave a moving and empowering speech on the how changes from the past to the present are factors in obesity. I'm too young to remember, but my father reminds me from time to time that he walked everywhere. There were few TVs and definitely no Internet or video games back then. So kids actually went outside to play or found more active things to do than sitting around all day eating. There were really no McDonald's or Burger Kings, so families actually ate home cooked meals everyday. This is very different from today's society of working families and single parent homes. Secretary Lawlah also explained that what we make a habit of now will grow with us into our old age.
The symposium was made up of several different round table discussions on the many issues and solutions to obesity, one of the speakers was Brenda Schwaab from the School and Community Nutrition Branch of the Maryland State Department of Education. Schwaab gave a very informative and interactive presentation on the policy and environment issues involved in implementing school breakfast programs and how to overcome them. She described how school breakfast can promote better eating habits in school age children.
Which brings me back to my title, "Creativity and Collaboration," two words Senator David C. Harrington, Maryland State Senate, District 47, mentioned in the closing remarks of his speech. Creativity and collaboration were his ideas for the solution to obesity. As he explained his take on it, it became clear to me that it was the solution to many issues that involve our youth. Creativity is the idea of restructuring how we do things, and collaboration is realizing that it’s not just a school system problem but a problem for all of us. We have to attack these issues from different angles now to get results in the future.
For more information on the symposium and the coalition visit: http://www.healthyactivemaryland.org.
Maryland Hunger Solutions was among the large group of health officials, legislators, community advocates and others who came together Tuesday to discuss the issues of obesity and nutrition in Maryland. The Healthy Active Maryland 2008 symposium on the challenges and solutions to addressing obesity was planned by the MD Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyle Coalition. The goal of the event was to empower Maryland partners to address challenges in obesity prevention efforts and to learn the practical programs, policies and solutions.
Ken Stanton, PhD, from the University of Baltimore was the keynote speaker. He made the point that "cheap food" or unhealthy food was a factor in obesity. The unhealthy stuff is the most affordable. I'll admit I live off the $3 meal of a burger, fries and soda instead of going to the market and buying healthy foods and preparing it myself.
Secretary Gloria Lawlah, Maryland Department Aging, one of the panel speakers, gave a moving and empowering speech on the how changes from the past to the present are factors in obesity. I'm too young to remember, but my father reminds me from time to time that he walked everywhere. There were few TVs and definitely no Internet or video games back then. So kids actually went outside to play or found more active things to do than sitting around all day eating. There were really no McDonald's or Burger Kings, so families actually ate home cooked meals everyday. This is very different from today's society of working families and single parent homes. Secretary Lawlah also explained that what we make a habit of now will grow with us into our old age.
The symposium was made up of several different round table discussions on the many issues and solutions to obesity, one of the speakers was Brenda Schwaab from the School and Community Nutrition Branch of the Maryland State Department of Education. Schwaab gave a very informative and interactive presentation on the policy and environment issues involved in implementing school breakfast programs and how to overcome them. She described how school breakfast can promote better eating habits in school age children.
Which brings me back to my title, "Creativity and Collaboration," two words Senator David C. Harrington, Maryland State Senate, District 47, mentioned in the closing remarks of his speech. Creativity and collaboration were his ideas for the solution to obesity. As he explained his take on it, it became clear to me that it was the solution to many issues that involve our youth. Creativity is the idea of restructuring how we do things, and collaboration is realizing that it’s not just a school system problem but a problem for all of us. We have to attack these issues from different angles now to get results in the future.
For more information on the symposium and the coalition visit: http://www.healthyactivemaryland.org.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Farm Bill Passes - and MD Hunger Solutions Is There!
by Kimberely Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger SolutionsThis has been an incredibly exciting week. The Farm Bill passed in the House and the Senate with veto proof majorities in both!
With rising prices for food, fuel and housing, this is a great victory for everyone in this country who is just struggling to put food on the table.
The Farm Bill increases the minimum food stamp benefits; updates the food stamp asset rules; ties the asset limits to inflation; and allows families to continue to save for retirement and their children’s education without jeopardizing their eligibility for the program.
This week, in support of the Farm Bill, I also had a wonderful opportunity to speak at a press conference on the Hill on Wednesday, May 14th. Click here for more pictures of the event. Congressional Majority Leader Steny Hoyer from Maryland organized the event with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus to highlight how the increased nutrition benefits in the Farm Bill will benefit their communities. I was honored to be invited by Majority Leader Hoyer to represent the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) as the only non-congressional speaker at the event. Click here to see a copy of my statement (pdf).
Photo courtesy of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus's photostream on Flickr.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Farm Bill Discussion Happening Now
With 9.5 percent, or almost 1 in 10 Maryland Households facing a constant threat of hunger, it is critical that Congress act on the Farm bill now! Maryland’s own Representative Sandy Rosenberg co-wrote a great Op-Ed in the Baltimore Sun discussing food stamps and the desperate need to pass a Farm bill right away. The current law was extended (once again) through April 25th, so Congress has one more week to act on the Farm Bill!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Washington Post Covers School Nutrition Finances
Kudos to the Washington Post for their article titled "Schools Get A Lesson in Lunch Line Economics." Maryland is mentioned a number of times. Gist of the story: school meal programs nationwide are feeling the pinch from the sluggish economy and having to make some financial decisions affecting cost and nutritional value of student meals.
Friday, March 28, 2008
My Week on the Food Stamp Challenge
Mark Millspaugh, Assistant Director, Family Investment, Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services
My experience with the Food Stamp Challenge was illuminating. While I must admit that I cheated, it was still a great learning experience for me and those I came into contact with. The first thing I struggled with was not having a morning cup of coffee. I could not justify the expense and adhered to the rule of not accepting offers of free coffee from well-meaning colleagues who observed my grogginess each morning.
I survived the entire week drinking water almost exclusively, which brings me to my second issue. It became very clear to me that to eat a diet entirely funded through the Food Stamp Program, one had to consume fairly unhealthy food and drinks. I could not afford orange juice, thus did not get my daily recommended allowance of vitamin C. I could not drink milk, thus did not get sufficient amounts of calcium. I ate almost no fresh fruit or vegetables. The Ramen noodles I ate for lunch had very high sodium content. The only meats I could afford had a high fat content. The bread I used was not multigrain and therefore had a low fiber content. Much of my dinner each night consisted of simple carbohydrates which quickly turn to sugar in the body. Because of this I cheated and continued to take multivitamins which I had purchased prior to the FS Challenge.
Lastly, I inadvertently became an ambassador and spokesperson for the FS Program. As I stated earlier, when I attended morning meetings I would often receive offers for free cups of coffee. When I declined and informed the offerer of my participation in the FS Challenge the person would become interested and ask questions about the program and its benefit amounts. On Tuesday I chaperoned a field trip for my 8-year-old sons's school to Mt. Vernon, VA. We were instructed to bring a bag lunch (this is another time when I cheated and took a can of soda that I had purchased previous to the Challenge). When the other parents and teachers saw what I had brought, and how little of it there was, I could not help but notice their inquisitive looks. I told them of the Challenge and informed them of the very low monthly benefit levels that people on Food Stamps receive. They were shocked!
Overall, I think the experience opened my eyes and those of others with whom I came into contact. While I regularly bring my lunch to work each day and eat home-cooked meals each night, the food that I purchase at the grocery store to prepare those meals costs far more than a Food Stamp Program recipient can afford. It is amazing to me how many people routinely stop in Starbucks for a cup of coffee in the morning or go out to a fast food restaurant for lunch or order takeout for dinner. These are things that a Food Stamp Program recipient could not possibly do. Yet the majority of these recipients are employed and caring for children and have the same need for simplicity and expediency in their daily lives as the rest of us do.
My experience with the Food Stamp Challenge was illuminating. While I must admit that I cheated, it was still a great learning experience for me and those I came into contact with. The first thing I struggled with was not having a morning cup of coffee. I could not justify the expense and adhered to the rule of not accepting offers of free coffee from well-meaning colleagues who observed my grogginess each morning.
I survived the entire week drinking water almost exclusively, which brings me to my second issue. It became very clear to me that to eat a diet entirely funded through the Food Stamp Program, one had to consume fairly unhealthy food and drinks. I could not afford orange juice, thus did not get my daily recommended allowance of vitamin C. I could not drink milk, thus did not get sufficient amounts of calcium. I ate almost no fresh fruit or vegetables. The Ramen noodles I ate for lunch had very high sodium content. The only meats I could afford had a high fat content. The bread I used was not multigrain and therefore had a low fiber content. Much of my dinner each night consisted of simple carbohydrates which quickly turn to sugar in the body. Because of this I cheated and continued to take multivitamins which I had purchased prior to the FS Challenge.
Lastly, I inadvertently became an ambassador and spokesperson for the FS Program. As I stated earlier, when I attended morning meetings I would often receive offers for free cups of coffee. When I declined and informed the offerer of my participation in the FS Challenge the person would become interested and ask questions about the program and its benefit amounts. On Tuesday I chaperoned a field trip for my 8-year-old sons's school to Mt. Vernon, VA. We were instructed to bring a bag lunch (this is another time when I cheated and took a can of soda that I had purchased previous to the Challenge). When the other parents and teachers saw what I had brought, and how little of it there was, I could not help but notice their inquisitive looks. I told them of the Challenge and informed them of the very low monthly benefit levels that people on Food Stamps receive. They were shocked!
Overall, I think the experience opened my eyes and those of others with whom I came into contact. While I regularly bring my lunch to work each day and eat home-cooked meals each night, the food that I purchase at the grocery store to prepare those meals costs far more than a Food Stamp Program recipient can afford. It is amazing to me how many people routinely stop in Starbucks for a cup of coffee in the morning or go out to a fast food restaurant for lunch or order takeout for dinner. These are things that a Food Stamp Program recipient could not possibly do. Yet the majority of these recipients are employed and caring for children and have the same need for simplicity and expediency in their daily lives as the rest of us do.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
My Food Stamp Challenge Experience & Lessons Learned
by Peter Buesgens, Director of the Worcester County Department of Social Services
What I learned was it is hard to eat healthy on that amount [$21 per week], fresh meats and vegetable/fruits are cost prohibitive. High carb foods tend to be the cheapest. Also, buying in bulk is difficult. I could have gotten a good deal on ten cans of Ravioli for $10 but that would have taken half my budget for just one type of food. $21 is not conducive to the efficiency of bulk buying. I probably lost a few pounds in the process despite eating a lot of high carb food. I didn't keep a list but I ate: many cereal breakfasts, sometimes with milk, sometimes without. Red beans and rice got me through about half of my dinners. A jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread was my staple for lunch. Spaghettios was my change of pace meal at .89 cents a can. Non-brand-name soups were also good for a change of pace or to have something a little extra with a meal. Glad it's over, I'm heading for a Chinese buffet for lunch today!
What I learned was it is hard to eat healthy on that amount [$21 per week], fresh meats and vegetable/fruits are cost prohibitive. High carb foods tend to be the cheapest. Also, buying in bulk is difficult. I could have gotten a good deal on ten cans of Ravioli for $10 but that would have taken half my budget for just one type of food. $21 is not conducive to the efficiency of bulk buying. I probably lost a few pounds in the process despite eating a lot of high carb food. I didn't keep a list but I ate: many cereal breakfasts, sometimes with milk, sometimes without. Red beans and rice got me through about half of my dinners. A jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread was my staple for lunch. Spaghettios was my change of pace meal at .89 cents a can. Non-brand-name soups were also good for a change of pace or to have something a little extra with a meal. Glad it's over, I'm heading for a Chinese buffet for lunch today!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The Food Stamp Challenge - I'm Still Hungry
Dr. Rebecca Bolton Bridgett, Director of the Charles County Department of Social Services
I spent $14.85 for five days ($3/day x 5 days). I purchased peanut butter, jelly, bread, yogurt, two bananas and soup. I did well the first day. The second day, however, my son was ill and we went to the doctor. Due to the unpredictable schedule, I purchased a sandwich for lunch. I found the difficulties to include:
1.) poor selection,
2.) unable to complete nutritionally balanced meals,
3.) spontaneous decision-making was impossible.
Thank you for the opportunity to experience the Food Stamp Challenge. It was a real eye-opener!
I spent $14.85 for five days ($3/day x 5 days). I purchased peanut butter, jelly, bread, yogurt, two bananas and soup. I did well the first day. The second day, however, my son was ill and we went to the doctor. Due to the unpredictable schedule, I purchased a sandwich for lunch. I found the difficulties to include:
1.) poor selection,
2.) unable to complete nutritionally balanced meals,
3.) spontaneous decision-making was impossible.
Thank you for the opportunity to experience the Food Stamp Challenge. It was a real eye-opener!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
My Food Stamp Challenge Journey
by Ellen Payne, Assistant Director, Worcester County Department of Social Services
I emailed Yolanda at the last minute agreeing to participate “in some way” and when she emailed me back and asked me what I was going to do, I told her “the $21 thing.” So, on Sunday March 9, I went to the Walmart Superstore and put my food stamp groceries in the top of the cart and my family groceries in the bottom of the cart. My food stamp bill was $15.64. I bought generics wherever possible, spaghetti, chunky peanut butter, tuna, raisin bran, spaghetti sauce, ground beef, loaf of bread and quart of milk.
On day one, I had bananas for breakfast, tuna sandwich for lunch and cereal for dinner. After I had raisin bran for dinner, I read the instructions for a procedure I was having on Friday and found out I was not supposed to have bran or nuts. And no food on Thursday. So, on day two I called the doctor’s office, told them what I had eaten (bran and nuts), and they told me it would be OK to proceed on Friday if I didn’t do it again. So, I had to go to the store (Food Lion) to buy a different cereal and smooth peanut butter (I spent $4.38, so I had .98 left). I agonized over the generic cereals, trying to find one that was reasonably healthy and also cheap.
I settled on generic Special K, which I had for dinner that night. Day three (Wednesday) I had cereal for breakfast, a peanut butter sandwich in the car for lunch, then sat through lunch with friends without ordering anything, and spaghetti for dinner which I shared with my husband (he had garlic bread). Day four I could not eat any solid food, so I drank only water until 5PM. When I began to feel light headed, I broke down and had sugar free jello and apple juice I bought a few weeks ago in anticipation of the medical test I was scheduled for on Friday. So I only lasted until Day four, 5PM.
I shared my grocery receipts and my experience with my staff. Diane Reddick, a Long Term Care Case Manager on my staff, said she tried it for one day ($3 for food). I learned that I could not buy the healthy food or the variety I was used to on the food stamp allotment. I learned what it was like to agonize over purchasing groceries, instead of just throwing what I want into the cart. I sat in a restaurant without ordering while my friends had a delicious lunch. And, I didn’t make it past Day four, 5PM!!
I emailed Yolanda at the last minute agreeing to participate “in some way” and when she emailed me back and asked me what I was going to do, I told her “the $21 thing.” So, on Sunday March 9, I went to the Walmart Superstore and put my food stamp groceries in the top of the cart and my family groceries in the bottom of the cart. My food stamp bill was $15.64. I bought generics wherever possible, spaghetti, chunky peanut butter, tuna, raisin bran, spaghetti sauce, ground beef, loaf of bread and quart of milk.
On day one, I had bananas for breakfast, tuna sandwich for lunch and cereal for dinner. After I had raisin bran for dinner, I read the instructions for a procedure I was having on Friday and found out I was not supposed to have bran or nuts. And no food on Thursday. So, on day two I called the doctor’s office, told them what I had eaten (bran and nuts), and they told me it would be OK to proceed on Friday if I didn’t do it again. So, I had to go to the store (Food Lion) to buy a different cereal and smooth peanut butter (I spent $4.38, so I had .98 left). I agonized over the generic cereals, trying to find one that was reasonably healthy and also cheap.
I settled on generic Special K, which I had for dinner that night. Day three (Wednesday) I had cereal for breakfast, a peanut butter sandwich in the car for lunch, then sat through lunch with friends without ordering anything, and spaghetti for dinner which I shared with my husband (he had garlic bread). Day four I could not eat any solid food, so I drank only water until 5PM. When I began to feel light headed, I broke down and had sugar free jello and apple juice I bought a few weeks ago in anticipation of the medical test I was scheduled for on Friday. So I only lasted until Day four, 5PM.
I shared my grocery receipts and my experience with my staff. Diane Reddick, a Long Term Care Case Manager on my staff, said she tried it for one day ($3 for food). I learned that I could not buy the healthy food or the variety I was used to on the food stamp allotment. I learned what it was like to agonize over purchasing groceries, instead of just throwing what I want into the cart. I sat in a restaurant without ordering while my friends had a delicious lunch. And, I didn’t make it past Day four, 5PM!!
Monday, March 24, 2008
The Food Stamp Challenge - My Biggest Challenge Yet
By Brenda Rupp, The Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
Day 3:
On Wednesday nights during Lent, my family and I eat soup and salad before my church's Lenten Service, which includes dinner. I completely forget to eat my dinner before going to Church because I am not accustomed to cooking dinner on Wednesdays. I had to sit there hungry, watching everyone eat. When asked why I was not eating, I said I was on the Food Stamp Challenge and could only eat the things I bought. Everyone was shocked when I said that people on food stamps have to eat on about $3 per day or $1 a meal. Everyone said they could not be able to do it. I challenged everyone that night to try it for a week. However, I was not able to focus on the sermon as I was hungry and thinking only of food and kept looking at my watch to see if it was time to go. It was 8:30 when we got home. I hate my cup o’noodles and was still hungry so I made myself two scrambled eggs.
My Last Day
On my last day on the challenge, the only food left is oatmeal and eggs. My lettuce mix only lasted 3 days and I went through my fruit in the first 4 days. I ate oatmeal for breakfast, two hardboiled eggs for lunch and leftover rice (a very small portion) for dinner. I am still hungry.
My challenge is over. All I can say is that it was truly a humbling experience. My kids saw how little food I ate during the week compared to what they ate. The experience put a new perspective on “left overs,” and my kids appreciated what they had to eat. Not once this week did they complain about what was on their dinner plate.
Day 3:
On Wednesday nights during Lent, my family and I eat soup and salad before my church's Lenten Service, which includes dinner. I completely forget to eat my dinner before going to Church because I am not accustomed to cooking dinner on Wednesdays. I had to sit there hungry, watching everyone eat. When asked why I was not eating, I said I was on the Food Stamp Challenge and could only eat the things I bought. Everyone was shocked when I said that people on food stamps have to eat on about $3 per day or $1 a meal. Everyone said they could not be able to do it. I challenged everyone that night to try it for a week. However, I was not able to focus on the sermon as I was hungry and thinking only of food and kept looking at my watch to see if it was time to go. It was 8:30 when we got home. I hate my cup o’noodles and was still hungry so I made myself two scrambled eggs.
My Last Day
On my last day on the challenge, the only food left is oatmeal and eggs. My lettuce mix only lasted 3 days and I went through my fruit in the first 4 days. I ate oatmeal for breakfast, two hardboiled eggs for lunch and leftover rice (a very small portion) for dinner. I am still hungry.
My challenge is over. All I can say is that it was truly a humbling experience. My kids saw how little food I ate during the week compared to what they ate. The experience put a new perspective on “left overs,” and my kids appreciated what they had to eat. Not once this week did they complain about what was on their dinner plate.
Friday, March 21, 2008
The Food Stamp Challenge - A Week in Review
by Kimberley Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions
The last days of the Food Stamp Challenge: In many ways getting through the weekend was more difficult than it had been during the week. Without a strict work schedule, I constantly felt the need to snack or wander into the kitchen for something to eat. Crackers and carrots aren’t as exciting on the weekend when you face a kitchen full of different foods! Throughout the week people asked me if my mood had changed because of hunger or my change in diet. My family and coworkers would probably agree that I was slightly more moody than usual, but I don’t know if I can truly attribute that to this Food Stamp Challenge. My first meal off the challenge was a dinner at a community meeting and I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. When I got home, however, in the privacy of my kitchen, I felt like someone who had been rescued from a deserted island and sampled (gorged on?) many of the foods that I had missed throughout the week! I have now officially completed the Food Stamp Challenge and look forward to eating a wider variety of more nutritious food, but for so many others, there is no choice. This Challenge has raised my awareness of the difficulties that people face every day to feed themselves and their families. Food stamps are the first line of defense against hunger, but the benefits are not sufficient to help people eat healthy meals throughout the month. We must ensure that congress acts quickly on a Farm bill that can help make food stamps more accessible and adequate to the needs of hungry individuals and families in this country.
The last days of the Food Stamp Challenge: In many ways getting through the weekend was more difficult than it had been during the week. Without a strict work schedule, I constantly felt the need to snack or wander into the kitchen for something to eat. Crackers and carrots aren’t as exciting on the weekend when you face a kitchen full of different foods! Throughout the week people asked me if my mood had changed because of hunger or my change in diet. My family and coworkers would probably agree that I was slightly more moody than usual, but I don’t know if I can truly attribute that to this Food Stamp Challenge. My first meal off the challenge was a dinner at a community meeting and I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. When I got home, however, in the privacy of my kitchen, I felt like someone who had been rescued from a deserted island and sampled (gorged on?) many of the foods that I had missed throughout the week! I have now officially completed the Food Stamp Challenge and look forward to eating a wider variety of more nutritious food, but for so many others, there is no choice. This Challenge has raised my awareness of the difficulties that people face every day to feed themselves and their families. Food stamps are the first line of defense against hunger, but the benefits are not sufficient to help people eat healthy meals throughout the month. We must ensure that congress acts quickly on a Farm bill that can help make food stamps more accessible and adequate to the needs of hungry individuals and families in this country.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The Food Stamp Challenge - Spilling the Beans
by Kimberley Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions
The bean fiasco seemed to spill over into the morning. Once again I wonder when people have the time to prepare food, care for their children, keep the house relatively clean, maintain relationships and work full-time jobs. I threw the beans into a container to take with me for lunch, made my now daily breakfast sandwich of egg on toast, put some carrots into a bag and prepared for the day. The boys were fed, clothed and though a few minutes late, I flew to the car to get to work. As I was driving down the highway, it suddenly came to me that I had forgotten my lunch on the kitchen counter. On a normal day I would simply shrug and go out for lunch at a nearby eatery. Today I just thought about how hungry I would be if I didn’t have my food. I turned the car around and headed back home. As I picked up my lunch and prepared once again to head back into traffic to get to work, I thought about the choice that I had made. If I worked in a position where I had to punch a time clock, got docked for coming in late or had the threat of losing my job for coming in late, I can imagine making another choice. It would be better to go hungry than lose my job. It might be better to use a little of the rent or electricity money to buy a small snack than turn back and end up late for work. This exercise has been about the choices we are forced to make when we have limited resources. It is also about the choices this country can make to ensure that people have enough to eat and don’t have to worry about hunger. By the way, although edible, I think that my beans could probably be cooked some more!
The bean fiasco seemed to spill over into the morning. Once again I wonder when people have the time to prepare food, care for their children, keep the house relatively clean, maintain relationships and work full-time jobs. I threw the beans into a container to take with me for lunch, made my now daily breakfast sandwich of egg on toast, put some carrots into a bag and prepared for the day. The boys were fed, clothed and though a few minutes late, I flew to the car to get to work. As I was driving down the highway, it suddenly came to me that I had forgotten my lunch on the kitchen counter. On a normal day I would simply shrug and go out for lunch at a nearby eatery. Today I just thought about how hungry I would be if I didn’t have my food. I turned the car around and headed back home. As I picked up my lunch and prepared once again to head back into traffic to get to work, I thought about the choice that I had made. If I worked in a position where I had to punch a time clock, got docked for coming in late or had the threat of losing my job for coming in late, I can imagine making another choice. It would be better to go hungry than lose my job. It might be better to use a little of the rent or electricity money to buy a small snack than turn back and end up late for work. This exercise has been about the choices we are forced to make when we have limited resources. It is also about the choices this country can make to ensure that people have enough to eat and don’t have to worry about hunger. By the way, although edible, I think that my beans could probably be cooked some more!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Food Stamp Challenge - My Challenges Go On
By Brenda Rupp, The Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
My Second Challenge
Day 1:
I was able to get through the first day but felt hungry at dinnertime. It was challenging cooking dinner for my family, as they are not doing this with me. Oh how I wanted so badly to eat what I had prepared them for dinner. I prayed to GOD for strength and will power to not cheat.
My Third Challenge
Day 2:
By the lunch the second day, I was very sick. I realized it was because I was using my tap water to drink rather than Deer Park Spring Water that I usually drink. We have well water and it is full of chemicals and not only tastes bad but has a funky smell. When buying my groceries, it did not dawn on me to buy bottled water. Even if I had remembered, that would have taken up most of my budget. As much as I wanted to continue to drink the tap water, I had to cheat and drink the deer park water for health reasons. One of the things my doctor told me 7 years ago when I was diagnosed with Chron’s disease is that well water can be debilitating to the disease. I had to use the water from my deer park cooler at home. I felt so so bad for cheating (not buying the water) but had to for my health.
My Second Challenge
Day 1:
I was able to get through the first day but felt hungry at dinnertime. It was challenging cooking dinner for my family, as they are not doing this with me. Oh how I wanted so badly to eat what I had prepared them for dinner. I prayed to GOD for strength and will power to not cheat.
My Third Challenge
Day 2:
By the lunch the second day, I was very sick. I realized it was because I was using my tap water to drink rather than Deer Park Spring Water that I usually drink. We have well water and it is full of chemicals and not only tastes bad but has a funky smell. When buying my groceries, it did not dawn on me to buy bottled water. Even if I had remembered, that would have taken up most of my budget. As much as I wanted to continue to drink the tap water, I had to cheat and drink the deer park water for health reasons. One of the things my doctor told me 7 years ago when I was diagnosed with Chron’s disease is that well water can be debilitating to the disease. I had to use the water from my deer park cooler at home. I felt so so bad for cheating (not buying the water) but had to for my health.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
My Food Stamp Challenge Journey
By Brenda Rupp, The Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
I wanted to participate in the Food Stamp Challenge for two reasons. One is to bring awareness to the “powers that be” that people with special dietary needs due to health reasons (Diabetes, Chron’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, etc.) need to eat a healthy, whole foods diet. Essentially, this means eating fruits, fresh or frozen vegetables, protein, beans/legumes and nuts – no processed foods. This is very hard to do on $3 a day. My second reason for taking this challenge was because not to long ago, my family and I prepared and served a meatloaf dinner at the only overnight homeless shelter in Harford County. We do this on the 15th of each month with our Church. I did not eat dinner that night with the people we served because I do not eat red meat because of my dietary issues. When asked by one of the ladies who was staying at the shelter why I was not eating, my response was “I can’t eat this food”. I said it assuming she would understand what I meant (because of dietary issues), however this was not the case and she was offended. She said, “When you are hungry and homeless you take what you can get and don’t complain about it”. She then said something that really stuck with me, “Everyone should have to walk a mile in the shoes of those less fortunate”.
My First Challenge
Before going to the grocery store, I prepared a menu for my meals. I realized immediately that I would not be able to afford to eat that way I am accustomed. I have Chron’s disease and have it under control for the most part by eating a whole foods diet. I stay away from processed foods as much as possible. I knew I would not be able to afford to by fresh vegetables and fruit on $3 a day, let alone meat. I thought of some foods that would make me feel full but still healthy. I went to Food Lion and was happy to say that most of my purchases were on sale. Thank goodness or I would have not had much at all in my cart. I purchased eggs for my protein because I could not afford meat. I can’t have lunch meat because it's processed. I bought oatmeal, brown rice, bananas, two apples, pre-packaged lettuce mix, salad dressing, cup o’ noodles and rice cakes. I actually had boxes of macaroni and cheese that were on sale for $0.33 a box. I was so excited I put 3 in my cart and then realized I had to buy milk and butter to make it, so I put it back. At the check out, I told the cashier I was taking the food stamp challenge. He laughed when I told him I had only $3 per day to spend. He said the items in my cart are what he consumes in a day. He looked to be about 21 and about 6ft. 4in so I think he was probably right.
Tomorrow: My Second Challenge
I wanted to participate in the Food Stamp Challenge for two reasons. One is to bring awareness to the “powers that be” that people with special dietary needs due to health reasons (Diabetes, Chron’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, etc.) need to eat a healthy, whole foods diet. Essentially, this means eating fruits, fresh or frozen vegetables, protein, beans/legumes and nuts – no processed foods. This is very hard to do on $3 a day. My second reason for taking this challenge was because not to long ago, my family and I prepared and served a meatloaf dinner at the only overnight homeless shelter in Harford County. We do this on the 15th of each month with our Church. I did not eat dinner that night with the people we served because I do not eat red meat because of my dietary issues. When asked by one of the ladies who was staying at the shelter why I was not eating, my response was “I can’t eat this food”. I said it assuming she would understand what I meant (because of dietary issues), however this was not the case and she was offended. She said, “When you are hungry and homeless you take what you can get and don’t complain about it”. She then said something that really stuck with me, “Everyone should have to walk a mile in the shoes of those less fortunate”.
My First Challenge
Before going to the grocery store, I prepared a menu for my meals. I realized immediately that I would not be able to afford to eat that way I am accustomed. I have Chron’s disease and have it under control for the most part by eating a whole foods diet. I stay away from processed foods as much as possible. I knew I would not be able to afford to by fresh vegetables and fruit on $3 a day, let alone meat. I thought of some foods that would make me feel full but still healthy. I went to Food Lion and was happy to say that most of my purchases were on sale. Thank goodness or I would have not had much at all in my cart. I purchased eggs for my protein because I could not afford meat. I can’t have lunch meat because it's processed. I bought oatmeal, brown rice, bananas, two apples, pre-packaged lettuce mix, salad dressing, cup o’ noodles and rice cakes. I actually had boxes of macaroni and cheese that were on sale for $0.33 a box. I was so excited I put 3 in my cart and then realized I had to buy milk and butter to make it, so I put it back. At the check out, I told the cashier I was taking the food stamp challenge. He laughed when I told him I had only $3 per day to spend. He said the items in my cart are what he consumes in a day. He looked to be about 21 and about 6ft. 4in so I think he was probably right.
Tomorrow: My Second Challenge
My Final Day of the MD FS Challenge
by Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources
This is the last day of the Challenge! I still have two conferences left to go and a business lunch as well.
I had a grapefruit, toast with marmalade and a big glass of water. I arrived at the first conference just as they were serving a continental breakfast. Oh, I can just smell the coffee. In fact, all I did was smell the coffee and look at the fruit salad, four different types of juice (orange, grapefruit, cranberry and apple), bagels and croissants galore as well as assorted danish. I found a seat and drank some water from a pitcher and passed on the bowl of candy at my table.
Next was a business lunch except that yours truly didn't have lunch. If that wasn't bad enough I needed to enter the second conference by the buffet lunch. If that wasn't bad enough dessert was cheesecake, carrot cake and black-and-white cookies. I don't know if I wanted to laugh or cry.
This is the last day of the Challenge! I still have two conferences left to go and a business lunch as well.
I had a grapefruit, toast with marmalade and a big glass of water. I arrived at the first conference just as they were serving a continental breakfast. Oh, I can just smell the coffee. In fact, all I did was smell the coffee and look at the fruit salad, four different types of juice (orange, grapefruit, cranberry and apple), bagels and croissants galore as well as assorted danish. I found a seat and drank some water from a pitcher and passed on the bowl of candy at my table.
Next was a business lunch except that yours truly didn't have lunch. If that wasn't bad enough I needed to enter the second conference by the buffet lunch. If that wasn't bad enough dessert was cheesecake, carrot cake and black-and-white cookies. I don't know if I wanted to laugh or cry.
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Food Stamp Challenge
Last week, a number of prominent Baltimore citizens enrolled in the Maryland Hunger Solutions Food Stamp Challenge and agreed to limit their food spending and consumption to $21 for an entire week, the total buying power of an individual's weekly allotment of food stamps. Click on the following names to read their experiences and thoughts:
Kimberley Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions. Kimberley organized the Challenge and participants while opening up the new Maryland Hunger Solutions office.
Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources.
Father Joe Muth of St Matthew's Catholic Church, Baltimore City.
Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources.
As this is a blog, the entries are published and stored in reverse chronological order, with the most recent entry close to the top of the page. To read entries chronologically from the beginning, scroll down to the end of the page and read up. And please feel free to comment!
Kimberley Chin, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions. Kimberley organized the Challenge and participants while opening up the new Maryland Hunger Solutions office.
Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources.
Father Joe Muth of St Matthew's Catholic Church, Baltimore City.
Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources.
As this is a blog, the entries are published and stored in reverse chronological order, with the most recent entry close to the top of the page. To read entries chronologically from the beginning, scroll down to the end of the page and read up. And please feel free to comment!
Fr. Joe Reflects on His Final Food Stamp Challenge Hours
by Father Joe Muth - St Matthew's Catholic Church, Baltimore City
Yesterday morning was Palm Sunday. I finished my box of cereal and milk, and last night I finished the box of crackers. Yesterday at lunch I finished my last can of tuna fish. I still have some peanut butter left and two tangerines. Last night I went to a family gathering for the ninth anniversary of my father's death and there was lots of food there. I had great conversation but just had a glass of water with ice for the evening. It was strange especially with many people encouraging me to eat. The food was plentiful and right before my eyes. Many poor people would have devoured the table if they had the opportunity, but the opportunity is not as readily available for them as for me. So even my holding off from eating last night was kind of a luxury because I knew I only had one more day of this and I could go back to food whenever and wherever I want. I have also been touched by waiting for my next meal and trying to time it so that I will feel "full" until the next meal. I put the word "full" in quotation marks because I don't think I ever felt full this whole week. And the few times I felt hunger pangs I looked for a clock to see when my next "meal" would be, even if my "meal" was crackers and peanut butter. So I learned a lot this week. Thanks for asking me to join the challenge. I know it has changed my awareness and I wonder how I will be different now. Peace and blessings, Fr. Joe
Yesterday morning was Palm Sunday. I finished my box of cereal and milk, and last night I finished the box of crackers. Yesterday at lunch I finished my last can of tuna fish. I still have some peanut butter left and two tangerines. Last night I went to a family gathering for the ninth anniversary of my father's death and there was lots of food there. I had great conversation but just had a glass of water with ice for the evening. It was strange especially with many people encouraging me to eat. The food was plentiful and right before my eyes. Many poor people would have devoured the table if they had the opportunity, but the opportunity is not as readily available for them as for me. So even my holding off from eating last night was kind of a luxury because I knew I only had one more day of this and I could go back to food whenever and wherever I want. I have also been touched by waiting for my next meal and trying to time it so that I will feel "full" until the next meal. I put the word "full" in quotation marks because I don't think I ever felt full this whole week. And the few times I felt hunger pangs I looked for a clock to see when my next "meal" would be, even if my "meal" was crackers and peanut butter. So I learned a lot this week. Thanks for asking me to join the challenge. I know it has changed my awareness and I wonder how I will be different now. Peace and blessings, Fr. Joe
I Almost Stayed Home from Work Today to Eat
by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
Let me tie up a few loose ends of my Challenge experience. As you know, I discovered yesterday that my husband had been a Challenge participant and I hadn’t realized it by looking at the items he’d been consuming. By Sunday morning he’d dropped out of the challenge again because I saw cupcakes wrappers and traces of other non-Challenge foods in our trash.
After church on Sunday I had my heart set on eating tomato soup with a piece of toast for lunch. However, by the time my husband ran all of his after church errands I didn’t have time to fix it so had to settle for two PB&J sandwiches. Can I tell you I am sick of PB&J? Normally I’m not a big bread eater so eating all this bread was a bit much for me. By Sunday the bread wasn’t even still fresh and soft. I think the only thing that helped me make it through the day was knowing that it was the last day of the challenge. For dinner last night I had my mac & tuna salad. Even eating more of that was a bit challenging. I ended up throwing a little bit of that away as well. I can’t wait to cook a real meal that is satisfying and nutritious for my husband and I.
I truly hope that after this that policy makers are "challenged" to seriously consider increasing the food stamp grants. I believe that everyone should have an opportunity to purchase healthy food and drinks for themselves and their families. Over the last seven days I’ve been able to get a laugh here and give a laugh there but for many this is no laughing matter because this is how they live and the challenges they face on a daily basis. The Food Stamp Program is supposed to help 26 million low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health each month. I believe that when you have to choose between eating healthy or eating daily because you only have $3 a day, most people would choose to eat daily. The Food Stamp grants need to be increased for needy families everywhere. Thanks for following my Food Stamp Challenge Journey. I must admit - I’m glad it’s over.
Let me tie up a few loose ends of my Challenge experience. As you know, I discovered yesterday that my husband had been a Challenge participant and I hadn’t realized it by looking at the items he’d been consuming. By Sunday morning he’d dropped out of the challenge again because I saw cupcakes wrappers and traces of other non-Challenge foods in our trash.
After church on Sunday I had my heart set on eating tomato soup with a piece of toast for lunch. However, by the time my husband ran all of his after church errands I didn’t have time to fix it so had to settle for two PB&J sandwiches. Can I tell you I am sick of PB&J? Normally I’m not a big bread eater so eating all this bread was a bit much for me. By Sunday the bread wasn’t even still fresh and soft. I think the only thing that helped me make it through the day was knowing that it was the last day of the challenge. For dinner last night I had my mac & tuna salad. Even eating more of that was a bit challenging. I ended up throwing a little bit of that away as well. I can’t wait to cook a real meal that is satisfying and nutritious for my husband and I.
I truly hope that after this that policy makers are "challenged" to seriously consider increasing the food stamp grants. I believe that everyone should have an opportunity to purchase healthy food and drinks for themselves and their families. Over the last seven days I’ve been able to get a laugh here and give a laugh there but for many this is no laughing matter because this is how they live and the challenges they face on a daily basis. The Food Stamp Program is supposed to help 26 million low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health each month. I believe that when you have to choose between eating healthy or eating daily because you only have $3 a day, most people would choose to eat daily. The Food Stamp grants need to be increased for needy families everywhere. Thanks for following my Food Stamp Challenge Journey. I must admit - I’m glad it’s over.
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