Food Stamp Diet Challenges are rolling out across the country. To keep you abreast of the latest news on the challenges, FRAC is adding a special edition to its Weekly News Digest to focus exclusively on Challenge press. On our Web site, the Food Stamp Diet Challenge page will contain the latest news and information, with links to news clips and blogs from challenge participants.

To learn more about food stamp challenges and how local groups can mount them, contact Ellen Vollinger at evollinger@frac.org.  

1. Congressional Food Stamp Diet Challenge Begins
2. Utah Issues State-Wide Challenge
3. Texas State Representative and Advocates Issue Challenge for Central Texans
4. New York City Councilman and Advocate on the Challenge

1. Congressional Food Stamp Diet Challenge Begins

Members of Congress, led by Representatives James McGovern (D-Mass.) and JoAnn Emerson (R-Mo.), embarked on their week-long challenge today. Reps. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) are joining them in the challenge.

• Blogging All About It: Throughout the week, Representatives will post updates on their challenge to the Congressional Food Stamp Diet Challenge blog.
• McGovern Begins Challenge (Sun Chronicle, Boston Herald):   Rep. McGovern shopped the aisles of Safeway to prepare for his week-long challenge. McGovern and his wife are taking the challenge. With just $42 allotted to them for the week, their total bill came to $41.70. He pointed out that the goal of the challenge is to ensure that no one in this country should be food insecure.
• Emerson Makes Tough Choices on Shopping Trip (Associated Press, St. Louis Post Dispatch): Sticking to a budget of $1 per meal, Rep. Emerson navigated the shopping aisles at a Washington, D.C. Safeway. She loaded up on staples, like chicken, tuna, and spaghetti, but had to forego some favorite items because of cost.
• Ryan Accepts the Challenge (The Plain Dealer): Rep. Ryan announced his plans to take the Food Stamp Diet Challenge. Ryan said he is taking on the challenge because of the million Ohioans who are unsure of their next meal. As he pointed out, the food stamp benefit level averages only $1.06 per person per meal.

2. Utah Issues State-Wide Challenge

Utah Housing Coalition, Crossroads Urban Center, and Utahns Against Hunger sponsored a week-long challenge (see their Web site), which was taken up by a number of state and local officials. Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. and his family are taking the challenge, as well as Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon and his family. State Representatives Jennifer Seelig and John Dougall are also participating in the week-long challenge.

• Governor and Family Shop on Food Stamp Budget (Salt Lake Tribune): Reporter Rebecca Walsh is taking the challenge with the Governor’s family. Walsh’s weekly allotment for an average family of three gave her $69 for the week. The Governor’s family, with six children, had $208 to spend. Simple choices, like what size of peanut butter to buy, became more challenging when trying to stick within the allotment for the week.
• SaltLake CountyMayor and Family on the Challenge (KCPW News,KSL News, ABC 4): Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, his wife Amy, and three children took up food stamp challenge. They filled the cart with the cheapest meat, vegetables, and cheese they could find, and had $20 left in their budget. State Representative Jennifer Seelig is also taking the challenge, and agreed to check in all week long with KCPW to give her thoughts.

3. Texas State Representative and Advocates Issue Challenge for Central Texans

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, the Capital Area Food Bank and the Center for Public Policy Priorities issued a Food Stamp Challenge from May 15 to 21.

• Food for Thought (Austin-American Statesman): In this editorial, Celia Hagert of the Center for Public Policy Priorities and Michael Guerra of the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas issue the challenge to Central Texans. As they point out, the challenge is a chance to not only shed light on the current food stamp benefit, but also to stand in solidarity with the community.

4. New York City Councilman and Advocate on the Challenge

New York City Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Queens) and New York City Coalition Against Hunger Director Joel Berg are both taking the Food Stamp Challenge. Gioia and Berg began the challenge on May 10, and limited their budget to $1.30 per person per meal.

• Gioia Starts Food Stamp Diet Challenge (NY Daily News, NY1): Gioia felt hunger pains while riding home on the subway, but knew that he wasn’t the only one going hungry on the train. As he pointed out, this is a fact for millions of New Yorkers.

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