Oh SNAP!

What if we took place in a challenge that lasted for less than a week. A challenge that allowed us to humble ourselves, appreciate what we have, and open our eyes to how 46.5 million people/month in America live. 

The challenge: For at least two days this week, live on the average SNAP 
benefit, which is $4.50 per person per day– for ALL your food and beverages. 
You can use coupons while taking the Challenge but should not shop at 
membership clubs. Other rules include:
1. Using your Challenge budget, decide on groceries to purchase and how 
much to put aside for food incidentals. Be aware of ALL food purchased 
and eaten during the Challenge week/day.
2. During the Challenge, do not eat food that you purchased prior to 
starting the challenge.
3. Avoid accepting free food from friends, family, or while at work.
4. Keep track of receipts on food spending and take note of your 
experiences throughout the week, in particular the choices you made 
between the variety and quality of food you ate.

I participated in this challenge for three days, which gives me a total of $13.50 for the entire week. 

Grocery list:
Eggs: $1.99/dozen
Kroger Brand Cheese $4.99/12 Oz
Smith's Brand Bread: $1.00/23 slices
(2) Kroger Brand Tomato Soup: $0.79/can
Blue Bonnet Margarine: $0.99
Macaroni Noodles: $.89/8 Servings
Great Value Ketchup: $1.00 
Hot Dogs: $1.00/12
Great Value Tomato Juice: $1.59/10 Servings
Great Value Macaroni and Cheese: $0.50/box
Total: $15.53 (I went a little over on budget)

Here's what I ate:
Day 1:

Breakfast: French Toast, maple syrup (Great Value) and water (tap)
Cost Breakdown:
Bread: $0.04
Egg: $0.17
Water: Not funded by SNAP
Syrup: $1.98
Total Cost: $2.19

Lunch: Grill Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup

Cost Breakdown:

Bread: $0.08

Cheese: $0.50/slice

Soup: $0.79

Margarine: .02

Total Cost: $1.39

Dinner: Macaroni and Tomato Juice with two slices of bread
Cost Breakdown:
Bread: $0.08
Margarine: $0.02
Macaroni: $0.11
Tomato Juice: $0.16
Total Cost: $0.37


Day 1 Total Cost: $3.95

Day 2: 
Last Night, I made the decision to go with some friends to a local swing dancing club. It costs $3.00 to get in, so I made the sacrifice of Breakfast and Lunch today for a night out.

Dinner: Macaroni & Cheese with Hot Dogs

Cost Breakdown

Macaroni & Cheese: $0.50

(2) Hot Dogs: $0.16

Total Cost: $0.66

Day 2 Total Cost: $0.66 and a hungry belly

Day 3:

Breakfast: Egg with Toast and Ketchup
Cost Breakdown:
(1) egg: $0.17
(1) slice toast $0.08
Ketchup: $1.00
Total Cost: $1.25





Lunch: Ate Leftovers from last nights dinner, and 1 hot dog
Cost Breakdown:
Macaroni: Leftovers
Hot Dog: $0.08
Total Cost: $0.08

For Dinner on my last day, I was asked on a date. 

So what is Snap?
SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. The Food and Nutrition Service works with State agencies, nutrition educators, and neighborhood and faith-based organizations to ensure that those eligible for nutrition assistance can make informed decisions about applying for the program and can access benefits. FNS also works with State partners and the retail community to improve program administration and ensure program integrity.

In Conclusion, This challenge was a very humbling experience. The amount of unsaturated fats, and carbohydrates that I consumed is absurd! 

If you decide to participate in this challenge, comment below on your experience! 

A Little About Me

Hey all,

First of all, Welcome to my Blog. Let me tell you a little bit about myself.

My name is Calee Lott. I'll be 21 years old on the 14th of February. I'm from a fairly small town at the base of the Uintah Mountains, and just East of Park City known as Oakley, UT. I'm currently attending Utah State University where I am majoring in Plant Science with a horticulture emphasis and a minor in Animal Science. I then plan on continuing on my education in Graduate School with a major in Range Science. My dream is to own/manage a fairly large cattle ranch, or be a Range manager for the NRCS, Forest Service, BLM, or a private cattle ranch. 

I recently served as the Vice-president for the Utah FFA Association. State office was one of the best experiences of my life. I grew as an individual, worked on a team with five of the best people I have ever met in my entire life, and have learned how to wear fifty different hats at one time. During my time as a state officer, I learned about the importance that advocating plays in agriculture, and the importance of making sure that my story is told by me.

When you ask a university student what they miss most about home, typical responses may include, "my mom isn't here to feed me, do my laundry, etc." In my case, however, I miss my cows.  My family owns a small hobby-ranch consisting of about 20-30 Hereford-angus cross cattle, about 6 horses, 1 mule, sometimes we have some sheep, and some chickens (which I wouldn't mind getting rid of as chickens are horrifying). This last spring, Something exciting happened! I worked out a deal with my grandpa, and purchased my first heifer.

 

Well, there's a little about me, and I look forward to sharing my passion for agriculture with you in the future.