Introduction to the Welfare Food Challenge:
This year I am participating in the Welfare Food Challenge in order to help raise awareness for the low rates of welfare in BC. Once all other expenses are accounted for, the average welfare recipient has only $21 to spend on food for an entire week.
As a nutrition student I am attuned to the health consequences that people face when they do not have enough healthy, nutrient dense food to eat. Surviving on $21 per week it can be very difficult for people to meet daily requirements for calories, macronutrients and micronutrients, which can lead to long lasting health issues.
My concern with taking the Welfare Food Challenge is that I will feel low energy for school, since I normally eat quite frequently during the day. This is not possible for those receiving only $21 per week for food. It will be a challenging week, but my hope is to get the message out that Welfare rates need to increase.
Stay tuned as I document my experience this week.
Also, please visit http://welfarefoodchallenge.org to find out why we need to raise the welfare rates
This, plus a few carrots and mushrooms, is what $21 buys for a week