The University of Utah will once again be kicking off its Food Stamp Challenge this November, giving students an opportunity to think more deeply than usual about what they eat, why they eat it and where they get it from. Food stamp challenges encourage individuals to take a week (or longer) to live off of a food budget that is equivalent to what the average food stamp subscriber receives. In 2012, that tallies up to about $4 per day.
Food stamp challenges are staged independently throughout the country each year and are lead by a number of entities, including religious groups, community activists and universities. The University of Utah is proud to host its own iteration of the event. According to U of U Sustainability Coordinator Kathleen Hunt, who is working to organize this year's Challenge and get it off the ground, it's a wonderful opportunity for students to gain a deeper understanding of their own consuming habits as well as social issues surrounding government food stamp programs.
Great job describing the food stamp challenge in a small amount of words. The pictures really helped illustrate your message. The food stamp challenge is a wonderful way to challenge the social constructions around our nation's food assistance program. All of us have some sort of preconceived ideas about the program and those participating. This challenge not only forces us to look at what/how we are eating but hopefully also will give us a different perspective on the food stamp program. This is the only way we as a society will be forced to reevaluate how this program is run and ask if it is really working for us.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Angie, great job on summarizing what the Food Stamp Challenge is however I have a concern. In the introductory paragraph you say that the FSC will give students an opportunity to think more deeply about what they eat, why they eat, and where they get it from but in the rest of the blog I find no answer to my question, "How would this program help me as a participant to "think more deeply" about what I eat, why I eat, or where I get my food from. Maybe including a statement in your blog such as: "As the participants are living off of their allotted food stamps they realize that...." Also I liked the first photo in the slide show of the newspaper because it shows that this is a popular event and draws more of the viewer's attention.
ReplyDeleteJoshua Moulton
I agree with Angie, great job on summarizing what the Food Stamp Challenge is however i have a concern. In the introductory paragraph you say that the FSC will give students an opportunity to think more deeply about what they eat, why they eat, and where they get it from but in the rest of the blog I find no answer to my question, "How would this program help me as a participant to "think more deeply" about what i eat, why i eat, or where i get my food from. Maybe including a statement in your blog such as: "As the participants are living off of their allotted food stamps they realize that...." Also I liked the first photo in the slide show of the newspaper because it shows that this is a popular event and draws more of the viewer's attention.
ReplyDeleteJoshua Moulton
It is so important to raise awareness about food stamps and the challenge coming up this November. Your photos captured the essence of what this challenge represents to participate. It takes a good photographer to be able portray a story thought their photos and you did just that. The only think that wasn't captured is this idea that those who use food stamps are our own neighbors and friends, and there is such a negative stigma attached to them. I believe this is the most important issue that needs to be addressed, breaking the stereotype. Overall, really well done!
ReplyDelete--Travis James Ciaramella