Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker has embraced social media perhaps more than any other political figure outside of Barack Obama, so it’s not to surprising to see him posting pictures of his lunch on Instagram. No latte art this week, though; Booker is kicking off his week on the SNAP Challenge, limiting his food budget for the week to the equivalent of New Jersey’s food stamp allocation.
Here’s Booker’s receipt for $29.78, along with a photo of his bean-heavy haul.
Pic of my #SNAPchallenge grocery receipt: pic.twitter.com/srHCHpgt
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 3, 2012
My #SNAPchallenge food for the week @ City of Newark http://t.co/yzqutXYw
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 4, 2012
As others have pointed out, the “S” in SNAP stands for supplemental, and food stamps would likely be combined with other benefits. That doesn’t seem to matter, though, if the point is to advocate for more money for social programs. And as Booker himself said, he considers things like school and nutrition an investment that creates wealth. Maybe that’s what this woman means by “food justice”?
Mayor @CoryBooker — A Movement Toward Food Justice #SNAPChallenge http://t.co/jq7gCztq. This IS the issue of OUR times.
— Paulette Dalpes (@PauletteDalpes) December 5, 2012
Whatever else Booker might learn this week, he must notice just how much of an interest other people have in what goes into his body.
@CoryBooker here's a suggestion to get you through the #SNAPChallenge : KALE! Nutritious and delicious. ?
— Alison (@AlisonIdeas) December 5, 2012
https://twitter.com/913spiffy/status/276131066375458819
It's great the New Jersey mayor is living off food stamps but–trade all those cans for dried beans and more veggies. #SNAPChallenge
— Millicent Borges Accardi ?? (@TopangaHippie) December 5, 2012
Recommended
@CoryBooker @LinkedIn Nice choice of food… Imported extra virgin oilve oil? for $10? bad choices =starvation…..#snapchallenge
— American_Taxpayer (@American_Taxpay) December 5, 2012
@CoryBooker U R buying the WRONG food… see what the survivalist community says #SNAPchallenge http://t.co/VwNjshaE
— American_Taxpayer (@American_Taxpay) December 5, 2012
I admit, I made a mistake not buying eggs RT @mspammajamma only thing I would have added is eggs and rice.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 5, 2012
As much adulation as Booker is getting for his effort, is he doing enough?
https://twitter.com/3ftswell/status/276110192586944513
@CoryBooker #SNAPChallenge good stuff. Now try food shopping in a nutrition desert with 30$ a week. #sftenderloin
— Better Petty Dept (@gribblet) December 5, 2012
This is 1 of the biggest issues. We must end nutrition deserts MT @gribblet Now try food shopping in a nutrition desert with 30$ a week.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 5, 2012
We? Who’s we, and how are they going to end “nutrition deserts”?
I'd like to see #SNAPChallenge taken by CEOs of Coke, Walmart, JPMorgan, the corps that benefit from $80B taxpayer program.
— Michele Simon JD MPH (@MicheleRSimon) December 4, 2012
@CoryBooker Every member of Congress should join you in the #snapchallenge. They need to know what is like as some aim to cut entitlements.
— Ms. Kpana (@AutisticSeas) December 4, 2012
The SNAP challenge is getting a lot of traction of Twitter. So, what exactly is the end game here?
Will #snapchallenge result in any policy changes for healthier food for participants, @CoryBooker?
— Michele Simon JD MPH (@MicheleRSimon) December 4, 2012
Is the point to live off the Govt or live despite the Govt? I'm confused as to the goal. http://t.co/CiRUNrY7 #SNAPChallenge
— TWOGR8DANES (@TWOGR8DANES1) December 4, 2012
https://twitter.com/SaraEPayne/status/276127582934667264
When I was in college, I lived off $25/week in groceries while working and paying my own way through school. #SNAPchallenge @CoryBooker
— Sara Pendleton (@Payndleton) December 5, 2012
Join the conversation as a VIP Member