posted by Fritz Gutwein
That’s what the Gov. of Oregon is doing. He and his wife are going to spend a week, this week, eating on $42, or $3 per meal, per person. That is the amount a person and their spouse would get in food stamps in Oregon.
I love food. I love to cook. I love to eat out. I use food not just for nutrition, but to help me feel better, emotionally, and physically. I eat chicken soup when I am sick. I eat chocolate when I need a pick-me-up. I cannot imagine doing that on $21 a week. I’m not sure I would even want to try it. Gov. Kulongoski and his wife have my respect.
Food serves many purposes. Here’s hoping the next time I eat I will be truly grateful I am fortunate enough for food to be more than sustenance for me.
The food stamp program is the main part of the nutrition title in the farm bill and is the it’s largest program. Let’s work for farm bill reform this year so our neighbors can have more than $21 a week to spend on their diet.