Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Essay

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a systematic way for the government to provide food for individuals or families with little to no income. In Oregon alone, 700,000 people are enrolled in the SNAP program. We were asked to participate in the SNAP Challenge for one weekend and record our observations after we completed the challenge. For the challenge, we were given eleven dollars to spend on a weekends worth of groceries. I shopped at Wal Mart and ended up spending $10.71. My list included (a) three bananas for 48 cents, (b) a bag of baby carrots for 98 cents, (c) a head of broccoli for 98 cents, (d) a bag of potatoes for $1.47, (e) Foster Farms chicken breast tenders for $4.86, (f) six large white eggs for 54 cents, (g) and Blue Bonnet butter for 98 cents. We are all well aware that obesity is a major concern here in the United States, one that we can’t avoid. But what are the factors that play a role in making obesity more of a threat than it already is? After participating for a weekend in the SNAP challenge, I realized people of low income are targeted frequently by media and the environment in which they live in is more of an issue than I thought. There is also a definite correlation between obesity and low
children live in “food insecure” households – having limited access to adequate food and nutrition due to cost, proximity, and/or other resources.” This statistic sheds light on the fact that obesity isn’t solely based on not having the self-control to not eat junk food. Cost may be one of the largest contributors to obesity as well as food industries creating it harder to a) obtain healthier choices or b) targeting young children with advertisements and placement of their products. According to Kiera Butler’s article “The Waistland”, the federal government’s list of banned foods in school cafeterias does not include fries, candy bars or chocolate chip