A few weeks back, we reported on a quick back-and-forth between the Newark chief and a follower on Twitter over governmental responsibility. It resulted in a challenge: for a week or more straight, the two would live on a SNAP budget – SNAP being the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or better known to us as food stamps. This amounts to $4.32 a day, $30 for the whole week.
As a result, the Mayor hopes to raise awareness of food justice. In the face of possible fiscal cliff auto-setbacks, states’ SNAP programs have been left on the chopping board
He started the challenge this past Monday and, sticking to his social media tendencies, has kept us in the loop of everything he’s eating (or, for that matter, not eating).
“For the first time, in a very long time, I am considering every meal and the cost of food I am eating… I cannot remember the last time I started the day without a cup of coffee.” he writes.
The Mayor’s Twitter acts as a forum for how he should spend his $4.32 on a particular day, with users giving advice on how to get the most of his less-than-five dollars:
I compared. It was on sale & cheaper RT @auradawn: next time don’t get bagged lettuce. More expensive than lose leaf. Admire your effort.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 6, 2012
Also, it looks like people are joining him with the challenge:
Great. RT @xxmsamazingxx: @msmichelenicole ok starting Monday we will join @corybooker in the food stamp challenge!!!
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 6, 2012
You can follow the Mayor’s blog for further updates and pictures from his experience.
Luckily, he’s not in New York, where the stakes are raised due to the nature of everything here to be way, way overpriced. As a result, the broke college student days help you master eking it out on or around $4.32 a day. Here’s to the Budget Life.
For those livinging in the five boroughs, try this painful diet:
1. Breakfast: Bagel with butter: $1 – $1.25
2. Lunch: Bodega or cart coffee to hold you over: $1-$1.25
3. Dinner: Dollar slice(s) pizza: $1 or $2, depending on how much your intestines hurt
Or, you can take up smoking, which cuts out #2. Except one pack costs about three days worth of food. So much for the cheap way out…
We send the Mayor our praise – this is no simple task to complete.