According to the US Department of Agriculture, the average food stamp allotment is approximately $40 per person, per week. Many social workers work with clients who food security is based on this tight food budget. When faced with such a limited budget, it is very difficult to feed your family a variety of healthy foods. However, there are many resources available that can assist families with this task.
Not only can these resources be used by individuals and families who are on a food stamp budget, anyone who is looking to save money and maybe at a bit more healthily in the process can use them as well.
Budget Bytes features delicious, healthy meals with a cost break down at the end of each post. These recipes include many ingredients that may seem too expensive for someone on a tight budget, but they are used in a way that allows for savings in other places. The blog creator, Beth, has also participated in the SNAP Challenge in the past. During the SNAP Challenge, participants pledged to spend no more than the average food stamp budget for one month. A part of the challenges, bloggers like Beth were encouraged to write about their experiences. More articles about the SNAP Challenge can be found in the Huffington Post and the Food Research and Action Center.
In addition to recipe resources, there are also other ways to help stretch the SNAP budget. For example, programs such as Market Match in California offer to double the dollar amount for SNAP recipients at many farmers markets. This allows people twice as much money to spend on fresh produce as before. As produce is one of the most expensive parts of any food budget, so these programs allow families better access to healthy options.
Money Saving Mom has an enormous amount of resources for anyone on a strict budget. Some of her most popular articles and tips include shopping the circulars, how to pair coupons with existing sales, and how to play the drugstore game. Additionally, there are many resources and articles regarding other areas of budgeting, which may also be helpful for some clients.
For many of our clients, their only food budget comes from food stamps. When on a budget that tight, any tips are likely to be helpful. Hopefully some of these resources can help not only individuals and families who receive SNAP benefits, but also aid those who are looking to save money overall.
