SOSC 7 journal entries

Evidence clearly indicates links between poor health, chronic diseases, and poverty. Malnutrition and poor diets contribute to disease inequities between the poor and middle-class. For this assignment, you are asked to live as if you were living on a low income budget (like Income Assistance) in order to understand how difficult it is to get proper nutrition while living in poverty. For one week you are asked to take the Food & Poverty Challenge and keep track in fieldnotes of 1) your experience of shopping/buying food with a limited income, 2) the changes (if any) from your regular diet, 3) how you feel physically, and 4) receipts with notes on how much you spent. FACTS AND FIGURES The current program benefits average $1 per meal per person, just $3 a day. Consider this in the context of typical spending. A gallon of milk costs close to $5, a box of cereal is more than $4 and one apple can cost .60 to $1 each. These numbers add up quickly. Food stamp recipients receive assistance in once monthly allotments. Food “stamps” are no longer used, having been replaced by an electronic benefit transfer system, known as EBT. EBT is a benefits card that operates similarly to a bank card. The Food Stamp Program is targeted toward those most in need. Food stamp households in 2005: • More than half of food stamp recipients are children, and eight percent are over 60 years old; • Three out of ten food stamp recipients had earnings; • Approximately 40% of food stamp households have gross incomes at or below half of the poverty line; • The poverty line (or Low Income Cut-Off) for an individual in Canada is about $18,421 a year. • In Ontario, if you are on income assistance you will receive $250 for food, and $376 for shelter allowance. PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES 1. Each person should only spend a total of $21 on food and beverages during the week. 2. All food purchased and eaten during the Challenge week, including fast food, coffees, and dining out, must be included in the total spending. 3. During the Challenge, only eat food that you purchase for the project. Do not eat food that you already own (this does not include spices and condiments). 4. Avoid accepting free food from friends, family, or at work, including at receptions or briefings. 5. Please keep track of receipts on food spending and note your experiences throughout the week. 6. You are expected to do this challenge for 7 days, starting January 26, finishing Feb. 2. 7. You must make daily journal entries (fieldnotes) regarding the challenge, reflecting on the experience (including when you cheat!). You must have at least 7 entries for 7 days, for a total of 2000 words (approx.). 8. Your fieldnotes are due the week of Feb 2nd, in your tutorial.