Food Stamp Challenge, Day 4

Stayed in my Capitol Office until nearly 9 p.m. last night to finish up an Op Ed  and read additional materials and budget impact information coming in from many constituency groups in my district.  I had not packed dinner so was pretty hungry by that time.  To make matters even more interesting, one of our departing  interns had graciously stopped by earlier in the day to drop off some delicious, homemade baklava (I know because she's been treating us to her desserts for the past three years).  Alone in my office with a plate of delectable sweets (and those of you who really know me understand where dessert ranks in my food pyramid!), I was sorely tempted to sneak one.  However, as my NAPAWF sisters taking the challenge this year with me know, one of the rules of the Hunger Challenge is no "free food".  So, I brought my "share" of the treats home to my husband.

Experiencing this reminds me that food commercials frequently blare at us on TV, and we are surrounded by plenty in the Capitol community.  For those whose access to food is restricted by income, transportation, and physical health, watching those food advertisements towards the end of the month when benefits dry up must be similarly challenging.

On my way home, I spent $1.93 on a zucchini which I added to my baked chicken and tofu dinner and a single serving package of ground coffee--Double Dutch Chocolate.  I am going to treat myself to a cuppa joe at the end of Friday when we are expected to vote for another ugly California budget.

Look for my final 2012 installment tomorrow!

Food Stamp Challenge, Day 3

Photo Source

Long day Tuesday, but made it home and prepared "corn cakes" with fresh banana, and made a meal out of more chicken and sliced cucumbers.

During Democratic Caucus yesterday noon, a colleague said he would have joined me but did not have access to a kitchen.  I didn't say anything to him, but want to note here that thousands of CalFresh recipients are in the same boat.  That's why the CalFresh Restaurant Meals program is so important:  http://www.ebtproject.ca.gov/restaurantmeals.aspx.  Although this program is open only to the homeless, elderly, and disabled (although those on SSI are not eligible for SNAP because the benefit amount is "cashed-out" in the monthly grant--we can argue about that another time!), it is another avenue for the hungry among us.

With the heat rising outside, I have been drinking only filtered tap water and coconut milk (which I confess is not a favorite but I put it in my grocery cart because I had a 75 cents off coupon).  Wednesday is food ad day, so I will check the sales and see if I can afford a can of frozen orange juice with my $2.25 in reserve.  Will attend Legislative Women's Caucus "brown bag" luncheon with my real brown bag lunch of a tuna salad sandwich and grapes.  The impending budget vote will affect women, children, the elderly, the disabled, and the poor disproportionately...it saddens me to know that tobacco companies can spend $50M to defeat one ballot measure while millions of Californians are suffering daily from hunger pangs.

Food Stamp Challenge, Day 2

Asm. Yamada's food purchases for the week

Some may question the wisdom of taking on the Hunger Challenge this week, in the difficult run-up to Friday, June 15 constitutional budget deadline.  For those battling hunger, this is the perfect week to highlight that hunger doesn't take a break.

Monday's meals were raisin bran and coconut milk for breakfast; yogurt and banana for lunch; egg salad sandwich, grapes, and a chicken drumstick for dinner.  Am drinking filtered tap water as I did not find a good deal on coffee this year.  I already warned my staff (smile).

With summer vacation, many children who rely upon the free or reduced lunch program during the school year find themselves without basic sustenance.  See http://frac.org/pdf/summer_report_2010.pdf for more information on this important nutrition program.

Tuesday is a difficult day, with committee hearings, Democratic Caucus where I will eat my chicken sandwich and grapes while my colleagues eat our usual nice catered lunch (which the legislators--not the taxpayers--pay for), followed by bill presentations in Senate Human Services and Senate Veterans Affairs.

Additional briefings with staff will be followed by a quick dash to Woodland to attend the Yolo County Farm Bureau meeting recognizing the Future Farmers of America.  A perfect group to end the day with since we are focusing, after all, on food.

More Wednesday.

Food Stamp Challenge, Day 1

Today marks Day 1 of my 2012 Hunger Challenge, my fourth consecutive as a state legislator.  Thanks to the few hardy souls who have joined me in living on a "food stamp budget" of $22.30 for the week.  While we will end our food insecurity in five days, millions of Californians do not have that luxury.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) did not fare well under the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee's 2012 Farm Bill mark-up.  U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has offered an amendment to restore the proposed cuts.  The inevitable complications of an election year point to the final Farm Bill details to be worked out later this year, placing millions of hungry Americans and the farmers who feed America in the balance.  The fight to protect SNAP can and must continue as we continue to make our way back through tough economic times.

Closer to home, this Friday, June 15, is the state budget deadline.  I am calling it "Cut-Mageddon".  According to the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), over 19 percent of Californians are unable to afford enough food to eat.  Despite this widespread hardship, the Governor's 2012-13 budget calls for more than $2 billion in health and human services reductions.  SNAP remains a 100% federal benefit--but federal reductions could devastate the California program, CalFresh.

Stay tuned.

Do you know the face of hunger?

Photo courtesy of Feeding America.org

Last week, the USDA reported that more than 50 million Americans (including 17 million children) come from food insecure homes. To shed light on the reality of the new faces of hunger, Feeding America has partnered with the Ad Council to launch a series of PSAs featuring celebrities including Matt Damon and Taye Diggs. The purpose of these advertisements is to create awareness about hunger and inspire Americans to take action.

The message in each PSA is that the face of hunger can look like anyone: our neighbors, teachers, co-workers, etc. Each ad features a true story portrayed by a celebrity, and the goal is to break stereotypes about those who go hungry in America. Produced pro bono by Cutwater, the PSAs will begin to appear on television in early 2011 and were created as part of the national Hunger Prevention campaign.

To view the PSAs, please click here to be directed to our YouTube page.

 

Could You Live on a Food Stamp Budget?

The Food Bank of Yolo County is pleased to once again partner with Assemblymember Mariko Yamada as she takes on the Food Stamp Challenge. Assemblymember Yamada participated with a larger group in April of 2009 when Food Bank staff, Board, community members, and elected officials took the Challenge. Now as the California State Legislature enters a difficult budget season, the Assemblymember has chosen to take the Challenge once again to highlight the needs of low-income families and to advocate against cutting important social safety net programs. For one week, starting Monday, June 28, the Assemblywoman will live on $4 per day – the national average for a person on food stamps. Check back daily to read her comments below about her experience. Also, please let us know if you are inspired to take the Challenge yourself!

Feeding America Applauds Introduction of Child Nutrition Legislation

Reprint courtesy of  Feeding America

Original publish date:  June 10, 2010

As a member of the Feeding America network of hunger-relief organizations, the Food Bank of Yolo County is proud to share this exciting news story about newly proposed legislation that, if passed, will be a major victory in the effort to promote child nutrition!

Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, today hailed the "Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act of 2010," a bill unveiled by House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Rep. George Miller (D-CA).  Joining him in the announcement were Reps. Carolyn McCarthy
(D-NY) and Todd Platts (R-PA), the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.  Also joining in the announcement were Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and
Jim McGovern (D-MA). 

This Act would dramatically improve access to nutritious meals both in and out of school, as well as increase the nutritional quality.  The Act focuses on streamlining program administration and providing children with year-round access to healthier, nutritious foods.  In May, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-ARK) reported a piece of companion legislation to the "Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010" out of the Senate Agricultur Committee.  Feeding America has been at the forefront of the push for this legislation and worked collaboratively on its development with members of Congress and organizations involved in the fight against domestic
hunger.

Daytime television host, author, child nutrition advocate and Feeding America Entertainment Council member Rachael Ray, highlighted measures included in the proposed legislation which are specifically targeted to advance the fight against ever-increasing hunger in the United States.  These measures include enforcement protocols to implement new school food saftety guidelines, support public and private child nutrition partnerships, reduce childhood obesity and improve school wellness.

"The Feeding America network applauds the outstanding leadershipof Chairman Miller in introducing this bill and recognizing the critical importance of programs to help ensure that low income children have increased access to nutritious food both during the school day and when school is out, such as in the summer, afterschool or over weekends and vacations from school," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO, Feeding America.  "This is a critical time for our national leaders to address the rapidly unfolding crisis of domestic hunger.  Nearly 17 million children struggle with hunger, not knowing if - or from where - they will get their next meal.  Our children's futures depend on their assurance that hunger will not steal away their opportunities for success.  As a leader in the fight against hunger, Feeding America is especially grateful for the continued and unyielding support extended by Rachael Ray to advance the fight against hunger across America through her public appearances and networking.  The current bill and our continued individual and collective efforts to raise awareness of childhood hunger provide hope for us all.

Feeding America urges swift passage of this bipartisan legislation which will forge a path towards expanding nutrition programs for children in need.  We continue to support President Obama's proposal for $10 billion over 10 years in new funding for child nutrition programs in order to realize the full potential of the Chld Nutrition Law to help end child hunger."

About Feeding America:  Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even trhive.  As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our netwrok members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors.  Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms.  For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/.