This week, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-31) and his wife Alisha are participating in the “SNAP Challenge.” The SNAP Challenge encourages individuals to spend only $4.73 a day on food, which is the average daily amount for a California SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipient. As a member of the Agriculture Committee and Nutrition Subcommittee, Rep. Aguilar is taking steps to understand what tens of thousands of residents throughout San Bernardino County and more across the United States experience every day.

“My wife and I wanted to do this together so we can get a glimpse of what more than 32,000 families throughout my district experience every day. We sat down to map out our meals and tried to find a balance between what is healthy and what is affordable—a struggle thousands of families throughout my community face on a daily basis,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. He added, “As a husband and father, this really hits home. No child should have to go to bed hungry and no mother or father should have to sacrifice healthy and nutritious options simply because they cannot afford it. We need to do better by our friends and neighbors, and I look forward to completing this challenge and sharing my experience with my colleagues so together we can confront hunger and nutrition in the United States.”  

Rep. Aguilar and his wife Alisha started the challenge on Monday morning after purchasing a little over $60 worth of groceries total for the week. The Redlands Daily Facts has been documenting the experience. Posts from Monday and Tuesday can be read online.