Could you eat on $6 a day?
@fracgram challenged non-SNAP (CalFresh) participants to live on $6 a day for food, and the San Diego Hunger Coalition broke down what that budget really buys—and it’s not much. Not everyone has the same access to grocery stores, culturally relevant foods, or the time and space to cook. Nutrition insecurity is different for everyone.
Even after planning for bulk and lower-priced items, staying under $6 was a major challenge. We had to cut back and swap products just to make it affordable and nutritious. And this was for a 1,500-calorie day, which is far too little for most diets.
Cooking and meal planning are time-consuming, and SNAP (CalFresh) participants can’t buy hot or prepared foods, making it even harder to meet their dietary needs. At the checkout, it would be even more stressful—and possibly embarrassing—if you worry about holding up the line or being judged for not having enough funds. SNAP needs to be more adequate to ensure everyone can access the nutrition they need.
Website: frac.org/snap-challenge-2025
Do you think that $6 a day is enough for groceries?
@fracgram is hosting the SNAP Challenge, where participants are challenged to live on just $6 a day for food.
Real talk: Can you eat on just $6 a day?
Trying to make meals work on a $6/day budget is tough—now imagine if cuts to SNAP (CalFresh) made it even harder. Some people rely on SNAP to access culturally appropriate foods or items that meet their dietary needs. Others face real-life challenges, like not having time to cook and needing to grab a cold prepared meal like sushi or a sandwich—yet hot meals remain off-limits.
Nutrition insecurity isn’t just about cost—it’s about access, time, and options. Everyone deserves the nutrition they need to stay healthy. We need to protect SNAP (CalFresh) from cuts!
What changes do you think need to be made to ensure food access for all?
Website: frac.org/snap-challenge-2025
Join the FRAC’s SNAP Challenge 2025!
Imagine going to the grocery store and having only $6 per day to fill your cart.
This is the reality for many people who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
SNAP helps reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty by providing monthly benefits to eligible individuals and families with low incomes to purchase food at participating retailers.
Take FRAC’s SNAP Challenge to get a glimpse of what life is like for tens of millions of people who struggle to put food on the table.
The length of the Challenge is up to you — you can do it for a day, a few days, or the full week.
We recommend three days – March 18-March 20.
We recommend grocery shopping on Monday, participating in the Challenge from Tuesday through Thursday, and using the weekend to share your experience.
Website: frac.org/snap-challenge-2025
