Comments on: Hunger in America: A Week on Food Stamps http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/ Majoring in Domestic Engineering Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:59:39 +0000 hourly 1 By: 1 in 4 - AfricanKelli http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-94881 1 in 4 - AfricanKelli Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:49:04 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-94881 [...] The director, Ginny Hildebrand, is a force to reckon with. She is savvy, kind and damn effective. I had a chance to go to Washington DC with her once on a lobbying trip and that woman moves [...] [...] The director, Ginny Hildebrand, is a force to reckon with. She is savvy, kind and damn effective. I had a chance to go to Washington DC with her once on a lobbying trip and that woman moves [...]

]]> By: The Feed People Project » U.S. Farm Bill - Daily Links 6/2/2008 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-43827 The Feed People Project » U.S. Farm Bill - Daily Links 6/2/2008 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:15:53 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-43827 [...] http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/ [...] [...] http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/ [...]

]]> By: Stefan http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-43430 Stefan Sat, 31 May 2008 16:58:18 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-43430 As I've been starting to wake up about the problem of food insecurity in America myself I'm realizing the same things you wrote about almost 2 years ago. From everything I can tell the problem is only getting worse. The rising price of food and worldwide demand have resulted in a borderline crisis in our food bank system. At the same time the cost of gas, living and other aspects of our straining economy has driven the local demand for food assistance higher each year. I've long been aware of the correlation between cheap food and obesity - I call it the Little Debby effect: the idea being that a society's health is inversely correlated to the price of a common unhealthy snack food. When foods lose quality and become more available at the same time the result is a negative impact on peoples' health. I really like your writing and I'm glad I found it this morning. I think I'll try and register and see what you're up to. If you're interested, please check out my new site www.feedpeopleproject.org. I'm trying to get people to trade frivolity for meaning through minor lifestyle adjustments. Seeing as meeting one's basic physiological needs (food, water, sleep) is the first step towards being a successful participant in society, it follows that as a group we should focus our meaningful efforts in that direction. As I’ve been starting to wake up about the problem of food insecurity in America myself I’m realizing the same things you wrote about almost 2 years ago. From everything I can tell the problem is only getting worse. The rising price of food and worldwide demand have resulted in a borderline crisis in our food bank system. At the same time the cost of gas, living and other aspects of our straining economy has driven the local demand for food assistance higher each year.

I’ve long been aware of the correlation between cheap food and obesity – I call it the Little Debby effect: the idea being that a society’s health is inversely correlated to the price of a common unhealthy snack food. When foods lose quality and become more available at the same time the result is a negative impact on peoples’ health.

I really like your writing and I’m glad I found it this morning. I think I’ll try and register and see what you’re up to. If you’re interested, please check out my new site http://www.feedpeopleproject.org. I’m trying to get people to trade frivolity for meaning through minor lifestyle adjustments. Seeing as meeting one’s basic physiological needs (food, water, sleep) is the first step towards being a successful participant in society, it follows that as a group we should focus our meaningful efforts in that direction.

]]> By: AfricanKelli » Blog Archive » National Public Health Week: Food http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-35939 AfricanKelli » Blog Archive » National Public Health Week: Food Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:49:54 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-35939 [...] Today: Food The US is a fat nation; ironically, the US is also a hungry nation. We have a growing issue of hunger that rarely gets any press because the much noisier issue of Type II diabetes and obesity gets the nutrition attention instead. Don’t get me wrong — both are serious concerns. What we don’t talk about is this: in the United States obese people (who are often dealing with Type II diabetes) are hungry because they are eating the cheap junk available to them. Obesity — only in America — is often a sign of poverty. In simple terms, the inexpensive foods are processed and high in calories. Fruit and veggies are expensive. Whole grains are more expensive than their cheap, sugary white counterparts. I lived on a food stamp diet for a week last year. My challenges of staying within a $19 budget for 21 meals is journaled here. Check out what’s available at your local dollar store, or the ethnic grocery in the bad neighborhood in your community. Often the produce is pricey and bruised and the Cheetos flow like manna. So, what can we do? [...] [...] Today: Food The US is a fat nation; ironically, the US is also a hungry nation. We have a growing issue of hunger that rarely gets any press because the much noisier issue of Type II diabetes and obesity gets the nutrition attention instead. Don’t get me wrong — both are serious concerns. What we don’t talk about is this: in the United States obese people (who are often dealing with Type II diabetes) are hungry because they are eating the cheap junk available to them. Obesity — only in America — is often a sign of poverty. In simple terms, the inexpensive foods are processed and high in calories. Fruit and veggies are expensive. Whole grains are more expensive than their cheap, sugary white counterparts. I lived on a food stamp diet for a week last year. My challenges of staying within a $19 budget for 21 meals is journaled here. Check out what’s available at your local dollar store, or the ethnic grocery in the bad neighborhood in your community. Often the produce is pricey and bruised and the Cheetos flow like manna. So, what can we do? [...]

]]> By: BlogArt » No-one cares what I had for lunch? http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-4457 BlogArt » No-one cares what I had for lunch? Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:36:24 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-4457 [...] Today, instead of driving down to the crappy chain supermarket, I walked to get our groceries. I bought bread from our local vegetarian bakery* and stopped in at the chain supermarket to buy meat for the dogs, peanut butter and some frozen vegetables. I knew I couldn’t get these things from the local Islamic grocery that I planned on buying the rest of our food from. The Islamic grocery is only two blocks from our house, and after a visit there the other day to buy some coffee and free range eggs, I realised that I could buy most things we needed from there, and we’d save on money and fuel. I keep thinking about this experiment that Kelli did back in November last year. No matter how many times I hear it, I just can’t get over the apparent unavailabilty of inexpensive, fresh and healthy food in the USA. Living in Australia, where fresh produce is abundant, I have real difficulty comprehending that a lot of people just can’t get this stuff. [...] [...] Today, instead of driving down to the crappy chain supermarket, I walked to get our groceries. I bought bread from our local vegetarian bakery* and stopped in at the chain supermarket to buy meat for the dogs, peanut butter and some frozen vegetables. I knew I couldn’t get these things from the local Islamic grocery that I planned on buying the rest of our food from. The Islamic grocery is only two blocks from our house, and after a visit there the other day to buy some coffee and free range eggs, I realised that I could buy most things we needed from there, and we’d save on money and fuel. I keep thinking about this experiment that Kelli did back in November last year. No matter how many times I hear it, I just can’t get over the apparent unavailabilty of inexpensive, fresh and healthy food in the USA. Living in Australia, where fresh produce is abundant, I have real difficulty comprehending that a lot of people just can’t get this stuff. [...]

]]> By: Stacy Wasserman http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-4214 Stacy Wasserman Mon, 22 Jan 2007 08:42:08 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-4214 Google is the best search engine Google is the best search engine

]]> By: luckybeans http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-2639 luckybeans Tue, 12 Dec 2006 07:14:02 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-2639 Wow. Living in Zambia, hunger has a very different meaning than it does in the US. Hunger means there is no food at all, and no way to get any. With our rains so poor this year, we are all waiting for the heart-breaking rush in a few more months where lines of aid trucks head into the bush. But of course there is never enough, and some people are too distant. There are issues here, too. Last year was a major surplus, and yet none of it was held over for this year-- it was all sold off. Before moving here, though, we lived in Virginia with two small children. Our family of four qualified for WIC, although we never used it. On my husband's grad-student salary, we managed to eat well, cover rent and car payments, and live relatively comfortably. However, it was not easy, and in order to eat well, I really had to WANT to, and be creative with it. And any unexpected expenses could become crises, especially medical ones. Coming from Canada, I found (still find) this appalling. The whole welfare system is flawed, and seems to be more concerned with legality than actual assistance. On the one hand you have peole who milk it and take advantage of it, and on the other individuals who can not manage to break out of it because of lack of alternative resources. In my experience, there seems to be lack of hope and pride more than anything else. The way I was treated in government clinics and by people there to "help me" was one of the most disheartening things I've ever been through. How can we expect people to care and want change when they feel like they are not meaningful parts of society? Wow. Living in Zambia, hunger has a very different meaning than it does in the US. Hunger means there is no food at all, and no way to get any. With our rains so poor this year, we are all waiting for the heart-breaking rush in a few more months where lines of aid trucks head into the bush. But of course there is never enough, and some people are too distant. There are issues here, too. Last year was a major surplus, and yet none of it was held over for this year– it was all sold off.

Before moving here, though, we lived in Virginia with two small children. Our family of four qualified for WIC, although we never used it. On my husband’s grad-student salary, we managed to eat well, cover rent and car payments, and live relatively comfortably. However, it was not easy, and in order to eat well, I really had to WANT to, and be creative with it. And any unexpected expenses could become crises, especially medical ones. Coming from Canada, I found (still find) this appalling.

The whole welfare system is flawed, and seems to be more concerned with legality than actual assistance. On the one hand you have peole who milk it and take advantage of it, and on the other individuals who can not manage to break out of it because of lack of alternative resources.

In my experience, there seems to be lack of hope and pride more than anything else. The way I was treated in government clinics and by people there to “help me” was one of the most disheartening things I’ve ever been through. How can we expect people to care and want change when they feel like they are not meaningful parts of society?

]]> By: TraciSue http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-2588 TraciSue Sat, 09 Dec 2006 21:00:24 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-2588 For $2, you can buy a burger. For $2.80, you can feed two people a small, but complete meal. One can of tuna and one of peas, 50 cents each one package of Ramen noodles, 50 cents, combine. Toss in two bananas, 40 cents and because everyone needs indulgence however small, a 2 liter of store brand soda for 80 cent. $2.70 feeds two people a small meal, including the soda as an indulgence or $2 to buy one person a singular sandwich. Nutritionally speaking, the tuna, noodle dish and bananas are denser in what the body needs. Foods that provide more nutrition may cost more, but provide more bang for the buck so you need less. I have seen the same thing Jessica has. We have always lived in lower income areas, mostly by choice. With the same amount of money spent, we always have more food and healthier food than our neighbors. Eva, what you saw was someone on WIC; Women, Infant and Children. The milk is intended for an infant that has weaned from either the breast or bottle. Infants and younger toddlers need the fuller fat to meet their daily nutritional needs according to the WIC guide lines. Food stamps can be used on any food except premade foods, meaning no Burger King or pre-cooked chickens from the deli. Shelly understands one of the most prevalent problems with welfare and food stamps. If you do anything to earn any money what so ever while on welfare and they find out, you will be in big trouble. You are expected to better yourself, but are given very few resources to do so. I don’t think I could work in social services. I would be bald. For $2, you can buy a burger. For $2.80, you can feed two people a small, but complete meal.

One can of tuna and one of peas, 50 cents each one package of Ramen noodles, 50 cents, combine. Toss in two bananas, 40 cents and because everyone needs indulgence however small, a 2 liter of store brand soda for 80 cent. $2.70 feeds two people a small meal, including the soda as an indulgence or $2 to buy one person a singular sandwich. Nutritionally speaking, the tuna, noodle dish and bananas are denser in what the body needs.

Foods that provide more nutrition may cost more, but provide more bang for the buck so you need less.

I have seen the same thing Jessica has. We have always lived in lower income areas, mostly by choice. With the same amount of money spent, we always have more food and healthier food than our neighbors.

Eva, what you saw was someone on WIC; Women, Infant and Children. The milk is intended for an infant that has weaned from either the breast or bottle. Infants and younger toddlers need the fuller fat to meet their daily nutritional needs according to the WIC guide lines. Food stamps can be used on any food except premade foods, meaning no Burger King or pre-cooked chickens from the deli.

Shelly understands one of the most prevalent problems with welfare and food stamps. If you do anything to earn any money what so ever while on welfare and they find out, you will be in big trouble. You are expected to better yourself, but are given very few resources to do so. I don’t think I could work in social services. I would be bald.

]]> By: mary jane http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-2485 mary jane Mon, 04 Dec 2006 01:08:26 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-2485 Great Post! I see a book,documentary along the lines of Supersize Me. I think this should be spotlighted to the media..if I only knew how...I've been talking about your project all week. Great Post! I see a book,documentary along the lines of Supersize Me. I think this should be spotlighted to the media..if I only knew how…I’ve been talking about your project all week.

]]> By: Elinor http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-2444 Elinor Thu, 30 Nov 2006 14:58:11 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-2444 What a great experiment. It really lets you see how pathetic our social support system is. I imagine you'll also discover why obesity disproportionately affects the poor - produce is so much more expensive than pre-packaged foods. I'm looking forward to your blog entries! What a great experiment. It really lets you see how pathetic our social support system is. I imagine you’ll also discover why obesity disproportionately affects the poor – produce is so much more expensive than pre-packaged foods. I’m looking forward to your blog entries!

]]> By: Sassy http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-2443 Sassy Thu, 30 Nov 2006 14:41:42 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-2443 Kelli--I'm moved to near tears reading your hunger entries at this time of year. Thanks for shedding light on this issue. I have already done my giving to Heifer International for the year, but my local food bank will get some holiday cheer as well. Kelli–I’m moved to near tears reading your hunger entries at this time of year. Thanks for shedding light on this issue. I have already done my giving to Heifer International for the year, but my local food bank will get some holiday cheer as well.

]]> By: Sonia http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-2435 Sonia Thu, 30 Nov 2006 03:45:43 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-2435 Kelli...I'm so impressed......on the read the other entries......... Kelli…I’m so impressed……on the read the other entries………

]]> By: bekka http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-2422 bekka Wed, 29 Nov 2006 19:40:54 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-2422 when i pray, i always include the hungry and homeless. i haven't known hunger, but i know it exists, and i especially hate to hear children or elderly starving. it's terrible. we have such abundance as a nation, yet our past and future are in such poor shape! when i pray, i always include the hungry and homeless. i haven’t known hunger, but i know it exists, and i especially hate to hear children or elderly starving. it’s terrible. we have such abundance as a nation, yet our past and future are in such poor shape!

]]> By: jessica http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-2412 jessica Wed, 29 Nov 2006 05:02:43 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-2412 one of the wealthiest countries and a very unhealthy country we are. this is sad. yes, unfortunately many poor are overweight. eating terrible foods...i would not even consider it food. i was at the airport last week and there was a passenger waiting for a flight, probably someone paid for his ticket to go home for some emergency, he looked so unhealthy and not well. i wanted so much to purchase a meal for him and i am embarrassed to say it never happened. i just did not know how to approach him. one of the wealthiest countries and a very unhealthy country we are. this is sad. yes, unfortunately many poor are overweight. eating terrible foods…i would not even consider it food.
i was at the airport last week and there was a passenger waiting for a flight, probably someone paid for his ticket to go home for some emergency, he looked so unhealthy and not well. i wanted so much to purchase a meal for him and i am embarrassed to say it never happened. i just did not know how to approach him.

]]> By: elizabeth http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/comment-page-1/#comment-2394 elizabeth Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:38:25 +0000 http://www.africankelli.com/2006/11/26/hunger-in-america-a-week-on-food-stamps/#comment-2394 wow! i've been gone from bloggin' for a couple of days so i started with this post first. isn't it amazing and terrifying that so many people are living on such little amounts of money. and you're right. we are an overweight country b/c the healthy food is *so* much more expensive. i mean, i can get a box of little debbies for a buck, but if i wanted to get some bran muffins, i'd prolly have to pay three times that amount. why is it that way? wow! i’ve been gone from bloggin’ for a couple of days so i started with this post first. isn’t it amazing and terrifying that so many people are living on such little amounts of money. and you’re right. we are an overweight country b/c the healthy food is *so* much more expensive. i mean, i can get a box of little debbies for a buck, but if i wanted to get some bran muffins, i’d prolly have to pay three times that amount.

why is it that way?

]]>