Next week is Hunger Challenge 2013, a combined effort by the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks to raise awareness of the struggles faced by low-income residents in our cities. From Monday, Sept. 9, to Friday, Sept. 13, the campaign involves two parts: a grocery list designed to simulate the experience of food pantry clientele and a food-stamp budget of $4.50 a day.
The grocery list includes fruit and vegetables, eggs and rice. (That $4.50 a day doesn't go far to supplement your meals.) Local celebrity participants include Food Network chef and Wayfare Tavern owner Tyler Florence and Central Kitchen chef de cuisine Ryan Pollnow.
The Agriculture Department released data on Wednesday that found nearly 50 million people live in “food insecure” households in the U.S. More than 16 million children are at risk of going hungry.