Snap Challenge

Outcomes of the 2017 SNAP Challenge

The 2017 UCSB SNAP Challenge saw a wide range of faculty and staff participation. 18 different campus departments participated, representing a diversity of disciplines from Mathematics to Writing. 25 total individuals participated in the challenge, and the winning team was comprised of 4 individuals from the Office of the Registrar and Enrollment Services.

Participants found that the experience of the challenge prompted them to reflect on the struggles of those living with food insecurity. One individual reported, “It was interesting to consider a variety of ways that income plays into food security. I was able to keep things going through mid-week, but things fell apart after Thursday due to familial pressures and needs.” Another participant reported having to cut the challenge short because she was experiencing headaches while eating a lower-quality diet, and noted that those living on the SNAP budget year-round may face greater health issues. Thus, even the participants who did not successfully complete the challenge took away an increased understanding of food insecurity.

Participants shared their experiences with their families and coworkers, so the impact of the challenge went beyond the participants themselves. 86% of participants reported discussing the challenge with their coworkers, families, and friends, and an additional 15% reported posting about the challenge on social media. For an example of how these discussions made a meaningful impact, one participant reported, “One of the interesting things that came up, via a discussion with a colleague, was that food preparation would be difficult because we have, over time, invested a lot of money in culinary items that help with cooking. Also, you are ultimately driven to buy cheaper, more processed food when you have less money to purchase food.”

Finally, the challenge motivated some participants to get involved in fighting food insecurity. Participants expressed interest in organizing departmental food drives for the Associated Food Bank, and one participant wrote that she was inspired to get involved with community-based activism around food justice issues.

SNAP Challenge

The SNAP challenge involves purchasing food for one week using only the monetary equivalent of what you would be allowed from CalFresh/SNAP benefits, and making daily reflections as you go. While we encourage participants to try their best to stay within their daily allowance, making meaningful reflection is the most important aspect of the challenge. This can mean writing in a journal, talking with your friends or coworkers, writing a blog, or sharing on social media. While the challenge only gives a short glimpse into the experience of low-income individuals who struggle with food insecurity year-round, it does give participants the opportunity for a new perspective and greater understanding.

We ask that UCSB faculty and staff participate on teams by academic department. Small departments are welcome to team up with another department in their building, with a maximum of 50 individuals on each team. Whichever team has the most individuals who successfully complete the challenge will win a fruit tree dedicated in the name of their department(s) to the Edible Campus Program, which grows fresh produce for the Associated Students Food Bank.