I started the SNAP Challenge today after a run to the grocery store last night. I was going to say "quick run" but it took me almost an hour to pick out $8.30 worth of groceries. And I still had to put back a red grapefruit that pushed me almost a dollar over my limit.
For the SNAP Challenge, participants feed themselves using the average Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit -- $4 a day in the case of Oklahoma. The challenge can last two days, a week or a month. I was asked to do it for two days to help raise awareness for the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.
I was going to try to get to Aldi on Wednesday -- they had bananas for 29 cents a pound and mangoes for 49 cents -- but then life got in the way. They close at 8 p.m., and at that time I was at the Tulsa Promenade with two girls who were dying to get Cody Simpson's autograph.
(See the Tulsa World story here.) I'm not supposed to shop at a membership store, so Sam's was out. I settled for my usual Reasor's store.
Here's what I bought:
Box of date, raisin and walnut instant oatmeal: $1.88
Loaf of wheat bread: $1.39
Yellow rice: $1.19
Almond butter packet: 95 cents
Can of black beans: 85 cents
Can of diced tomatoes with green chilies: 69 cents
Can of corn: 52 cents
Banana: 24 cents
Total: $7.71 plus tax
Breakfast was instant oatmeal with raisins, dates and walnuts. Very little raisins, dates and walnuts. Since I have nine packets left, I'll probably have two to start the day tomorrow.
I splurged on a packet of almond butter that I am spreading over two lunches, and it is delicious. A small jar of peanut butter was only a dollar more, but I couldn't afford it.
I'll be drinking water with all my meals, which means no morning coffee or iced tea with dinner. I'll let you know how that goes when the caffeine headaches start.
The almond butter and beans and rice are my proteins for two days -- I decided against buying any meat.
Two days don't allow for much time on the SNAP Challenge or much money -- I don't get to take advantage of the economy of scale that I would if I were buying for an entire week or for more people.
But it is time enough to understand how difficult it is to make a dollar stretch, how expensive produce is compared with grains and how distracting it is to think about food when you know you can't just go to the refrigerator or snack machine get something to eat.
Follow my progress in the SNAP Challenge on Twitter with the hashtag #OklaSNAP.
SCENE: Visit the home to all things food, movies, TV, music and local entertainment.
