Could you survive on just $4 per day without going hungry? Experience what life can be like for millions of low-income Americans who receive SNAP benefits.
Take FRAC’s SNAP Challenge!
Most participants take the Challenge for one week and discover they have to make difficult food shopping choices, and often realize how difficult it is to afford nutritious foods, and stay healthy. While living on a SNAP budget for just a week cannot come close to the challenges encountered by low-income families week after week and month after month, it does provide those who take the Challenge with a new perspective and greater understanding.
For the past 10 years, FRAC has supported and fostered SNAP Challenges to help educate the public and opinion leaders about the important role SNAP plays in mitigating hunger and poverty — and the need to strengthen the program so beneficiaries can afford enough food for their health and well-being.
The Challenge first captured public attention in 2006 when FRAC allies in Philadelphia hosted one, followed by groups in Wichita, Kansas.
The Challenge took the national stage in 2007 when four Members of Congress — Representatives James McGovern (D-Mass.), Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), and Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) — pledged to live for one week on an average SNAP budget and blogged about their experiences.
Since then, hundreds — if not thousands — of people have taken the Challenge, including Members of Congress, governors, state legislators, mayors, celebrities, religious and community leaders, reporters, and average citizens.
Now you can too…
SNAP Challenge Toolkit
Includes Challenge guidelines, registration hints, host event ideas, media planning information, and more.
Recent Publications & Data
See More Resources- Guide
The NIH issued a Request for Information (RFI), “Research Opportunities to End Hunger, Food and Nutrition Insecurity,” to solicit feedback on innovative and multidisciplinary research avenues to address the systemic factors underlying hunger. FRAC responded to this RFI.
Explore the Comments - Guide
As part of the effort to implement Executive Order 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” USDA issued a Request for Information to help them identify opportunities in current USDA policies, regulations, and guidance to address systemic inequities. FRAC submitted a comment in response to this request.
Explore the Comments - Guide
As part of the effort to implement Executive Order 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a Request for Information (RFI) on how agencies could internally assess the state of equity in their policies, programs, services, processes, and operations. FRAC submitted a comment in response to this request.
Explore the RFI Comments - Fact Sheet
The Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act of 2021, anticipated to be introduced by Representatives Bonamici (D-OR) and Herrera Beutler (R-WA), would strengthen and expand access to nutritious meals for young children through enhancements to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The bill proposes many positive changes that better support children and families who depend on CACFP for the healthy meals and snacks that the program provides.
Read the report
