NUTRITION PROJECT: By Sherry Winchell
FEED YOURSELF ON $3.00 A DAY
Part I: Planning
Before you begin the experience, reflect on how do you think it might feel (physically, emotionally, and mentally) to be food insecure?
I think that having food insecurity would be very stressful and emotional. I would also feel embarrassed and ashamed if I were unable to provide enough food for myself or my family. I imagine that being food insecure would feel very helpless and hopeless. I would not have the privilege of buying healthy foods. Financially speaking, buying fresh fruits and vegetables would not be an option for me. Also, I think that having to seek assistance would make me feel weak and powerless because I hate having to depend on other people. Over all, having food insecurity would make my life extremely difficult. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to wake up every day not knowing when my next meal would be.
Before you go shopping, what kinds of foods do you think you will buy with your $15?
I will more than likely buy items in bulk and use generic products (no name brands). I’m sure I will have to buy items that are canned and processed in order to stay within my budget. On that note, I’m definitely going to buy things that I would not normally eat. I think the best way for me to eat healthful and survive will be to make a big batch of chilli with beans and ground beef.
Part II: Purchasing
Describe your shopping experience. Where did you shop, what did you buy, and how much did each item cost?
I knew that Wal-Mart would have the cheapest options for me, so I chose to shop there. I bought:
(2) cans of Great Value tomatoes: $1.96
(1) can Great Value pinto beans: $0.72
(1) can Great Value kidney beans: $0.92
(1) package chili seasoning: $0.94
(1) pound of extra lean ground beef: $3.98
(1) 26 oz. bag of broccoli cuts: $2.25
(1) 16-slice pack: American cheese: $1.25
(1) 28 oz. pack of brown rice $2.14
TOTAL: $14.16
Shopping was very difficult. I decided to buy the ingredients to make a big batch of chili because it is easy to make and I knew it wouldn’t require very much money. I wanted to buy two packets of seasoning, but I could only afford one. I also ended up going back and forth between isles, changing my mind several times. I originally bought the beef because I knew that it would enhance the overall taste of the chili, but as I left the store I began to immediately regret this choice. I sacrificed buying a more healthful protein source and potentially buying more vegetables to buy something that I knew would taste better. That was not very smart of me!
What strategies did you use to maximize your allotted money?
I bought the cheapest option of each item, which ended up being Great Value products. I also chose to buy mostly canned food items instead of frozen foods or fresh goods (because canned was cheaper). I tried to get the most out of my dollar by buying the option with the most nutrients. I also made an effort to buy at least one type of food from each food group. Shopping was a lot more difficult and required a lot more thinking than I had planned!
Part III: The Experience:
DAY ONE: 3/3 Wednesday
What I ate:
I had brown rice for breakfast (1 ½ cups), chili with cheese melted over the top for lunch (1 ½ cup), and a little bit of both for dinner (2 cups of each). I also had broccoli with cheese for dinner (1 cup).
How I felt:
Overall, I felt fine. The chili turned out very good. The only problem was that I have never had chili for two consecutive meals, so my stomach was churning a little bit by the end of the day. The meals were not very difficult to manage because my day ended up being pretty busy and food was not on my mind. The hardest part was drinking nothing but water. I like my coffee in the morning!
Observations and Insights:
Eating this meal was kind of boring, but I did enjoy the chili. I’m used to eating a ton of vegetables, so having to ration out a small amount of broccoli (to make it last) was not very fun.
Day 2: 3/4 Thursday
What I ate:
I decided to eat more brown rice than I did yesterday, because the MyPyramid results showed that I wasn’t eating enough whole grains. Since I have plenty of brown rice, I had two cups of brown rice today (one with breakfast, one with lunch). I still ate the chili for lunch and dinner ( 1 ½ cup with each meal), adding the broccoli with cheese in with my dinner (2 cups).
How I felt:
Today I had a really weird experience. I definitely took notice of other foods today, and I started to think about the fact that I could NOT eat those foods. I did not like that pivotal moment. The chili was fine, but my stomach was really acting funky today. I do not think that my body is used to eating so many beans! I was craving milk today really bad, which is really weird because I don’t even like milk that much, but I held on strong. The evening was the hardest part of the day, because once I stopped doing homework, I started to think about food.
Observations and Insights:
This is really starting to stink! I am not looking forward to tomorrow, I don’t know if I will be able to do it! I am missing my vegetables very muchL. It is weird how much I am starting to think about food. I think that I should’ve bought some milk and some eggs instead of the beef. The My Pyramid results showed that I am a little low on calcium and vitamin E, so those options would’ve helped my intake levels.
Day 3: 3/5 Friday
What I ate:
I ate brown rice (2 cups) and broccoli with cheese (2 cup) for breakfast, chili for lunch (1 ½ cups), and chili with cheese (1 ½ cups) and broccoli (1 cup) for dinner. I’m trying my best to mix up my food routine so that it does not seem so monotonous, but my strategy is not working very well. I’m getting really, really sick of chili. Tomorrow will be the last day of eating broccoli for me, which is very sad. My broccoli will be gone.
How I felt:
I’m getting really cranky. I did not realize how much food can influence my mood! It seems ridiculous, but I can’t help it. Today I caved and had some coffee, which helped me start the day a little better. My stomach still feels gross and bloated. My overall functioning has not changed significantly, but the mental aspect of keeping with the food routine is really challenging!
Observations and Insights:
I’m really, really regretting that I purchased the ground beef. The four extra dollars could go towards some more vegetables, or even some fruit! My vitamin C and milk count has been low every day, and I notice that my saturated fat and sodium levels have been really high despite the fact that I’m not eating a whole lot of food. I am really starting to realize how ridiculously easy it is to have a high fat, high sodium diet.
Day 4: 3/6 Saturday
What I ate:
I ate the last of my broccoli (1 cup) today, which was really sad. I had broccoli with cheese for breakfast with some brown rice (2 cups), chili with cheese melted over the top for lunch (2 cups), and the same for dinner (about 2 cups). I noticed today that I am not going to have enough chili to last me through tomorrow. Today I caved againL. I had to work today, which made keeping my food routine very difficult because I work long hours. I ended up eating a bowl of New England Clam Chowder s at work with some Naan bread. It was absolutely delicious!
How I felt:
Since I work at a restaurant, I was obviously very preoccupied with staring at food all day long. I was really busy for the first half of the day, so it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. After 2 PM, things died down, and then the temptation to snack on something became irresistable! I also told the cooks about my school project, which was a bad idea, because they decided to make it even more difficult for me. As I already mentioned, I ended up caving, which was totally worth it!
Observations and Insights:
I realize now that my food selection may be adequate nutritionally, but the lack of variety is really bothersome. Chili is very healthy for its protein content, but it does not sit will in the stomach for five straight days. I also really regret buying the beef because it increased my saturated fat values a bit, and nutritionally it just wasn’t a smart option.
I should have used turkey instead, although I am not certain if it would’ve been a cost effective option.
Day 5: 3/7 Sunday
What I ate:
Today I had brown rice (2 cups) for breakfast the last bit of my chili (2 cups with melted cheese) for lunch. Even though I was disappointed that my food ran out, I was very excited that I had the freedom to snack on something different! I tried my best to hold out, but I do not have the time or the will power to starve myself just for a school project! For dinner I had chicken alfredo loaded with red and green peppers, tomatoes and zucchini. It tasted amazing!
How I felt:
I was very relieved today that my food assignment finally came to an end! It was not an easy or enjoyable experience whatsoever. I love having the freedom to eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and this assignment made my life feel very strained and difficult. I feel a lot of empathy towards people who are forced to live on a strict budget, because it is very stressful and exhausting! Eating is a very enjoyable experience for me, but this assignment turned eating food into a chore. I felt like I was eating strictly out of necessity, which feels really weird and uncomfortable.
Observations and Insights:
Overall, I did o.k. with my diet. I did great on my overall grain values because brown rice is a very cheap source of whole grains. I also did great on my meat and beans, because kidney beans and pinto beans are a very cheap source of protein. However, my fruits and vegetables, saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol levels were not up to standard. Eating a lot of canned foods has an influence on sodium levels, and the saturated fat is high due to the processed cheese and ground beef. If I could’ve done this experience over again, I think that I would have lived off of sandwiches with turkey and cheese. I also would’ve purchased more fruits and/ or vegetables, but in order to meet my calorie needs, buying fruits and vegetables becomes very difficult because they are low in calories and are quite expensive.
Part IV: Analysis
Considering nutrients, food groups and other important food components, how well did you meet your nutrition needs?
I did a lot better than I thought! I did alright in overall calories consumed, and my fats, carbohydrates and protein levels were all within an acceptable range. I also met my adequate levels of folate and zinc. However, I did not quite meet my needs for iron and calcium, and my Vitamin A and E levels were very low as well. My sodium and saturated fat levels were a little high too. Over all, I did an o.k. job.
How could your diet have been improved (within your budget)?
I wish that I would’ve purchased some eggs instead of ground beef. Eggs would’ve been a great, cheap way to increase my iron and vitamin E levels. I also wish that I would’ve got a bag filled with mixed vegetables instead of just purchasing the broccoli. Adding vegetables such as carrots and spinach would help raise my vitamin A levels as well as other nutrients.
What did you eat that you normally do not eat?
I managed to eat a lot of canned foods. The kidney beans, pinto beans, and tomatoes were all canned food items. I normally choose to buy fresh items and not canned because they are more nutritious and do not contain as much sodium. I also purchased processed American cheese, which I normally do not eat. I bought it mostly for calcium content, although normally I would buy medium cheddar deli cheese.
What foods do you normally eat that you have avoided?
I was unable to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, which I normally eat abundantly! I also enjoy fish and chicken, but these rich protein sources were not cost effective. I really wanted to buy milk and/or orange juice, but my budget would not allow this as well. I began to miss eating sandwiches as well. I normally eat a sandwich for lunch almost every day, but my budget would not allow me to do this.
Did you have any difficulty complying with the conditions of the assignment?
YES! Although I was pretty decent at staying within the budget and meeting my nutrient needs, the foods that I purchased became boring VERY fast! After day 2, I could barely stand the idea of eating another bowl of chili! I also caved a couple timesL. I love coffee too much to pass it up! I can’t imagine living off of $3/day for the rest of my life- it is unfathomable.
Could you continue to live on $3/day? How would doing so change your life?
I could not live off of $3/day. I just simple could not do it. I enjoy food too much, and I love having the option of purchasing a wide variety of foods. Living off of $3/ day takes a lot of planning, focus, determination, and mental strength. It is very exhausting and completely uncomfortable.
Part V: Follow-Up
While living in Missoula, I experienced what it felt like to apply for food stamps. The Missoula County public assistance office does not take appointments, so in order to get an appointment with a case worker you have to show up as early as possible or else you will have to sit and wait all day. When I first showed up there, it was about 8 AM, and there were already quite a few people waiting in line. The first thing that you have to do is check in with the desk clerk and fill out about 3-4 pages of paperwork. I had to bring pay stubs that provide proof of income, as well as my class schedule, tuition statement, and my financial aid award letter for my case worker to put on file. Once you fill out all of the paperwork, you turn it in along with any other proof of income and identification to the front desk. Then you wait for the clerk to assign you a case worker and call your name. Although I showed up very early, I still had to sit and wait for about 2-3 hours. It was very annoying and slightly depressing. I remember seeing one lady arguing with the clerk about how long she had been waiting for her case worker. She had 2 young kids with her and she looked really stressed. I overheard her saying something about being late for work, and I felt really bad for this woman. A lot of the people who came in and out of the building were not very happy people, and the overall atmosphere was really glum. At that point of my life, I was not receiving financial help from my parents and I could not get enough financial aid to support myself, so food stamps were really my only option at the time. I remember feeling really embarrassed about being there, because a girl I used to go to high school with was one of the social workers behind the big desk. I was not very happy that I had to seek assistance, and I could sense that a lot of people in the waiting room felt the same way.
Once my name was called, I met my case worker and she took me back through a private door to her office. She was very nice and helpful. After the intake session was complete, she told me that I would be receiving my food stamp card in the mail within a couple days. The process was not that easy though. The guidelines for receiving food stamps are very rigid. I could not work less than 20 hours a week, but I also could not work more than 30 hours per week. I also had to bring in paystubs at least every other month proving that I was staying within the guidelines. I stayed on food stamps for about one year and I received a little more than $100 a month. Once I moved up to being a server, I was making more money, and I immediately discontinued my food stamp card.
I can’t imagine what it would feel like to have poor reading and writing skills and have to go through that process. You would spend an entire day there and still not get through all the paperwork! I don’t imagine that anyone would be very willing to help you out either. Everyone in the waiting area has the same overall attitude: To get in and out of there as quickly as possible! Also, the desk clerks are extremely busy with filing paperwork and setting appointments, so I highly doubt that they would want to help you out.
After the 5 day experience, visit and volunteer at the food bank for a few hours. Reflect on this experience. How did your 5 day experience affect your view of the emergency food supply and food bank clients?
My 5 day experience made me realize how important it is to help others. I take advantage of the fact that I never have to worry about my next meal, and having to live like that is very uncomfortable and stressful. It also made me realize that I want to start donating more healthful options to those who are in need. Donating food is a good start, but it is not enough. Everyone deserves to have access to a variety of healthy food options, whether you are rich or poor.
What are your overall conclusions about this experience? Describe what you learned, your observations and insights.
The biggest lesson that I learned from this experience is that I take food for granted. I can be very wasteful and forget how easy my life really is. I have never experienced what it feels like to have to ration out food portions and carefully plan my food options in order to survive. I think that in general, I need to appreciate the fact that I do have access to healthy food. I also feel that every person that can afford to eat healthy has the responsibility to give back to others who can’t afford to live healthfully. It is very disgusting how much variation exists in our country today between those who have and those who do not, and I personally feel responsible for being involved in creating change.
What are the important things you learned during this experience that would benefit you as a food and nutrition professional?
I personally feel that I would be an asset to the community as a dietician because although I have never been completely food insecure, I do know what it feels like to have to seek government assistance. I have a lot of empathy and compassion towards others who have not had the opportunities that I have, and I want to do everything I can to provide hope for these people. I have learned that although I have access to healthy foods, the reality is that a lot of people in America do not have the same access as I do. Whether the barriers are due to lack of finances, information, or location, these barriers make the distribution of healthy foods very uneven throughout the U.S. Above everything else, this experience has made me realize that I want to be the voice for the people who do not have one.
Before you begin the experience, reflect on how do you think it might feel (physically, emotionally, and mentally) to be food insecure?
I think that having food insecurity would be very stressful and emotional. I would also feel embarrassed and ashamed if I were unable to provide enough food for myself or my family. I imagine that being food insecure would feel very helpless and hopeless. I would not have the privilege of buying healthy foods. Financially speaking, buying fresh fruits and vegetables would not be an option for me. Also, I think that having to seek assistance would make me feel weak and powerless because I hate having to depend on other people. Over all, having food insecurity would make my life extremely difficult. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to wake up every day not knowing when my next meal would be.
Before you go shopping, what kinds of foods do you think you will buy with your $15?
I will more than likely buy items in bulk and use generic products (no name brands). I’m sure I will have to buy items that are canned and processed in order to stay within my budget. On that note, I’m definitely going to buy things that I would not normally eat. I think the best way for me to eat healthful and survive will be to make a big batch of chilli with beans and ground beef.
Part II: Purchasing
Describe your shopping experience. Where did you shop, what did you buy, and how much did each item cost?
I knew that Wal-Mart would have the cheapest options for me, so I chose to shop there. I bought:
(2) cans of Great Value tomatoes: $1.96
(1) can Great Value pinto beans: $0.72
(1) can Great Value kidney beans: $0.92
(1) package chili seasoning: $0.94
(1) pound of extra lean ground beef: $3.98
(1) 26 oz. bag of broccoli cuts: $2.25
(1) 16-slice pack: American cheese: $1.25
(1) 28 oz. pack of brown rice $2.14
TOTAL: $14.16
Shopping was very difficult. I decided to buy the ingredients to make a big batch of chili because it is easy to make and I knew it wouldn’t require very much money. I wanted to buy two packets of seasoning, but I could only afford one. I also ended up going back and forth between isles, changing my mind several times. I originally bought the beef because I knew that it would enhance the overall taste of the chili, but as I left the store I began to immediately regret this choice. I sacrificed buying a more healthful protein source and potentially buying more vegetables to buy something that I knew would taste better. That was not very smart of me!
What strategies did you use to maximize your allotted money?
I bought the cheapest option of each item, which ended up being Great Value products. I also chose to buy mostly canned food items instead of frozen foods or fresh goods (because canned was cheaper). I tried to get the most out of my dollar by buying the option with the most nutrients. I also made an effort to buy at least one type of food from each food group. Shopping was a lot more difficult and required a lot more thinking than I had planned!
Part III: The Experience:
DAY ONE: 3/3 Wednesday
What I ate:
I had brown rice for breakfast (1 ½ cups), chili with cheese melted over the top for lunch (1 ½ cup), and a little bit of both for dinner (2 cups of each). I also had broccoli with cheese for dinner (1 cup).
How I felt:
Overall, I felt fine. The chili turned out very good. The only problem was that I have never had chili for two consecutive meals, so my stomach was churning a little bit by the end of the day. The meals were not very difficult to manage because my day ended up being pretty busy and food was not on my mind. The hardest part was drinking nothing but water. I like my coffee in the morning!
Observations and Insights:
Eating this meal was kind of boring, but I did enjoy the chili. I’m used to eating a ton of vegetables, so having to ration out a small amount of broccoli (to make it last) was not very fun.
Day 2: 3/4 Thursday
What I ate:
I decided to eat more brown rice than I did yesterday, because the MyPyramid results showed that I wasn’t eating enough whole grains. Since I have plenty of brown rice, I had two cups of brown rice today (one with breakfast, one with lunch). I still ate the chili for lunch and dinner ( 1 ½ cup with each meal), adding the broccoli with cheese in with my dinner (2 cups).
How I felt:
Today I had a really weird experience. I definitely took notice of other foods today, and I started to think about the fact that I could NOT eat those foods. I did not like that pivotal moment. The chili was fine, but my stomach was really acting funky today. I do not think that my body is used to eating so many beans! I was craving milk today really bad, which is really weird because I don’t even like milk that much, but I held on strong. The evening was the hardest part of the day, because once I stopped doing homework, I started to think about food.
Observations and Insights:
This is really starting to stink! I am not looking forward to tomorrow, I don’t know if I will be able to do it! I am missing my vegetables very muchL. It is weird how much I am starting to think about food. I think that I should’ve bought some milk and some eggs instead of the beef. The My Pyramid results showed that I am a little low on calcium and vitamin E, so those options would’ve helped my intake levels.
Day 3: 3/5 Friday
What I ate:
I ate brown rice (2 cups) and broccoli with cheese (2 cup) for breakfast, chili for lunch (1 ½ cups), and chili with cheese (1 ½ cups) and broccoli (1 cup) for dinner. I’m trying my best to mix up my food routine so that it does not seem so monotonous, but my strategy is not working very well. I’m getting really, really sick of chili. Tomorrow will be the last day of eating broccoli for me, which is very sad. My broccoli will be gone.
How I felt:
I’m getting really cranky. I did not realize how much food can influence my mood! It seems ridiculous, but I can’t help it. Today I caved and had some coffee, which helped me start the day a little better. My stomach still feels gross and bloated. My overall functioning has not changed significantly, but the mental aspect of keeping with the food routine is really challenging!
Observations and Insights:
I’m really, really regretting that I purchased the ground beef. The four extra dollars could go towards some more vegetables, or even some fruit! My vitamin C and milk count has been low every day, and I notice that my saturated fat and sodium levels have been really high despite the fact that I’m not eating a whole lot of food. I am really starting to realize how ridiculously easy it is to have a high fat, high sodium diet.
Day 4: 3/6 Saturday
What I ate:
I ate the last of my broccoli (1 cup) today, which was really sad. I had broccoli with cheese for breakfast with some brown rice (2 cups), chili with cheese melted over the top for lunch (2 cups), and the same for dinner (about 2 cups). I noticed today that I am not going to have enough chili to last me through tomorrow. Today I caved againL. I had to work today, which made keeping my food routine very difficult because I work long hours. I ended up eating a bowl of New England Clam Chowder s at work with some Naan bread. It was absolutely delicious!
How I felt:
Since I work at a restaurant, I was obviously very preoccupied with staring at food all day long. I was really busy for the first half of the day, so it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. After 2 PM, things died down, and then the temptation to snack on something became irresistable! I also told the cooks about my school project, which was a bad idea, because they decided to make it even more difficult for me. As I already mentioned, I ended up caving, which was totally worth it!
Observations and Insights:
I realize now that my food selection may be adequate nutritionally, but the lack of variety is really bothersome. Chili is very healthy for its protein content, but it does not sit will in the stomach for five straight days. I also really regret buying the beef because it increased my saturated fat values a bit, and nutritionally it just wasn’t a smart option.
I should have used turkey instead, although I am not certain if it would’ve been a cost effective option.
Day 5: 3/7 Sunday
What I ate:
Today I had brown rice (2 cups) for breakfast the last bit of my chili (2 cups with melted cheese) for lunch. Even though I was disappointed that my food ran out, I was very excited that I had the freedom to snack on something different! I tried my best to hold out, but I do not have the time or the will power to starve myself just for a school project! For dinner I had chicken alfredo loaded with red and green peppers, tomatoes and zucchini. It tasted amazing!
How I felt:
I was very relieved today that my food assignment finally came to an end! It was not an easy or enjoyable experience whatsoever. I love having the freedom to eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and this assignment made my life feel very strained and difficult. I feel a lot of empathy towards people who are forced to live on a strict budget, because it is very stressful and exhausting! Eating is a very enjoyable experience for me, but this assignment turned eating food into a chore. I felt like I was eating strictly out of necessity, which feels really weird and uncomfortable.
Observations and Insights:
Overall, I did o.k. with my diet. I did great on my overall grain values because brown rice is a very cheap source of whole grains. I also did great on my meat and beans, because kidney beans and pinto beans are a very cheap source of protein. However, my fruits and vegetables, saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol levels were not up to standard. Eating a lot of canned foods has an influence on sodium levels, and the saturated fat is high due to the processed cheese and ground beef. If I could’ve done this experience over again, I think that I would have lived off of sandwiches with turkey and cheese. I also would’ve purchased more fruits and/ or vegetables, but in order to meet my calorie needs, buying fruits and vegetables becomes very difficult because they are low in calories and are quite expensive.
Part IV: Analysis
Considering nutrients, food groups and other important food components, how well did you meet your nutrition needs?
I did a lot better than I thought! I did alright in overall calories consumed, and my fats, carbohydrates and protein levels were all within an acceptable range. I also met my adequate levels of folate and zinc. However, I did not quite meet my needs for iron and calcium, and my Vitamin A and E levels were very low as well. My sodium and saturated fat levels were a little high too. Over all, I did an o.k. job.
How could your diet have been improved (within your budget)?
I wish that I would’ve purchased some eggs instead of ground beef. Eggs would’ve been a great, cheap way to increase my iron and vitamin E levels. I also wish that I would’ve got a bag filled with mixed vegetables instead of just purchasing the broccoli. Adding vegetables such as carrots and spinach would help raise my vitamin A levels as well as other nutrients.
What did you eat that you normally do not eat?
I managed to eat a lot of canned foods. The kidney beans, pinto beans, and tomatoes were all canned food items. I normally choose to buy fresh items and not canned because they are more nutritious and do not contain as much sodium. I also purchased processed American cheese, which I normally do not eat. I bought it mostly for calcium content, although normally I would buy medium cheddar deli cheese.
What foods do you normally eat that you have avoided?
I was unable to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, which I normally eat abundantly! I also enjoy fish and chicken, but these rich protein sources were not cost effective. I really wanted to buy milk and/or orange juice, but my budget would not allow this as well. I began to miss eating sandwiches as well. I normally eat a sandwich for lunch almost every day, but my budget would not allow me to do this.
Did you have any difficulty complying with the conditions of the assignment?
YES! Although I was pretty decent at staying within the budget and meeting my nutrient needs, the foods that I purchased became boring VERY fast! After day 2, I could barely stand the idea of eating another bowl of chili! I also caved a couple timesL. I love coffee too much to pass it up! I can’t imagine living off of $3/day for the rest of my life- it is unfathomable.
Could you continue to live on $3/day? How would doing so change your life?
I could not live off of $3/day. I just simple could not do it. I enjoy food too much, and I love having the option of purchasing a wide variety of foods. Living off of $3/ day takes a lot of planning, focus, determination, and mental strength. It is very exhausting and completely uncomfortable.
Part V: Follow-Up
While living in Missoula, I experienced what it felt like to apply for food stamps. The Missoula County public assistance office does not take appointments, so in order to get an appointment with a case worker you have to show up as early as possible or else you will have to sit and wait all day. When I first showed up there, it was about 8 AM, and there were already quite a few people waiting in line. The first thing that you have to do is check in with the desk clerk and fill out about 3-4 pages of paperwork. I had to bring pay stubs that provide proof of income, as well as my class schedule, tuition statement, and my financial aid award letter for my case worker to put on file. Once you fill out all of the paperwork, you turn it in along with any other proof of income and identification to the front desk. Then you wait for the clerk to assign you a case worker and call your name. Although I showed up very early, I still had to sit and wait for about 2-3 hours. It was very annoying and slightly depressing. I remember seeing one lady arguing with the clerk about how long she had been waiting for her case worker. She had 2 young kids with her and she looked really stressed. I overheard her saying something about being late for work, and I felt really bad for this woman. A lot of the people who came in and out of the building were not very happy people, and the overall atmosphere was really glum. At that point of my life, I was not receiving financial help from my parents and I could not get enough financial aid to support myself, so food stamps were really my only option at the time. I remember feeling really embarrassed about being there, because a girl I used to go to high school with was one of the social workers behind the big desk. I was not very happy that I had to seek assistance, and I could sense that a lot of people in the waiting room felt the same way.
Once my name was called, I met my case worker and she took me back through a private door to her office. She was very nice and helpful. After the intake session was complete, she told me that I would be receiving my food stamp card in the mail within a couple days. The process was not that easy though. The guidelines for receiving food stamps are very rigid. I could not work less than 20 hours a week, but I also could not work more than 30 hours per week. I also had to bring in paystubs at least every other month proving that I was staying within the guidelines. I stayed on food stamps for about one year and I received a little more than $100 a month. Once I moved up to being a server, I was making more money, and I immediately discontinued my food stamp card.
I can’t imagine what it would feel like to have poor reading and writing skills and have to go through that process. You would spend an entire day there and still not get through all the paperwork! I don’t imagine that anyone would be very willing to help you out either. Everyone in the waiting area has the same overall attitude: To get in and out of there as quickly as possible! Also, the desk clerks are extremely busy with filing paperwork and setting appointments, so I highly doubt that they would want to help you out.
After the 5 day experience, visit and volunteer at the food bank for a few hours. Reflect on this experience. How did your 5 day experience affect your view of the emergency food supply and food bank clients?
My 5 day experience made me realize how important it is to help others. I take advantage of the fact that I never have to worry about my next meal, and having to live like that is very uncomfortable and stressful. It also made me realize that I want to start donating more healthful options to those who are in need. Donating food is a good start, but it is not enough. Everyone deserves to have access to a variety of healthy food options, whether you are rich or poor.
What are your overall conclusions about this experience? Describe what you learned, your observations and insights.
The biggest lesson that I learned from this experience is that I take food for granted. I can be very wasteful and forget how easy my life really is. I have never experienced what it feels like to have to ration out food portions and carefully plan my food options in order to survive. I think that in general, I need to appreciate the fact that I do have access to healthy food. I also feel that every person that can afford to eat healthy has the responsibility to give back to others who can’t afford to live healthfully. It is very disgusting how much variation exists in our country today between those who have and those who do not, and I personally feel responsible for being involved in creating change.
What are the important things you learned during this experience that would benefit you as a food and nutrition professional?
I personally feel that I would be an asset to the community as a dietician because although I have never been completely food insecure, I do know what it feels like to have to seek government assistance. I have a lot of empathy and compassion towards others who have not had the opportunities that I have, and I want to do everything I can to provide hope for these people. I have learned that although I have access to healthy foods, the reality is that a lot of people in America do not have the same access as I do. Whether the barriers are due to lack of finances, information, or location, these barriers make the distribution of healthy foods very uneven throughout the U.S. Above everything else, this experience has made me realize that I want to be the voice for the people who do not have one.