Saskatoon Food Basket Challenge

http://www.foodbasketchallenge.com/
The premise of the Food Basket Challenge is simple:

Several high-profile people in Saskatoon will attempt to live off a food basket from the Saskatoon Food Bank for up to one week and share their experiences online.
The Food Basket Challenge is intended to generate awareness and discussion about poverty in our community. The food basket itself is a tool to spark a meaningful and informed community conversation about poverty issues that limit opportunities in our community. During the week-long challenge we will highlight one particular topic related to poverty each day, such as food security, housing, and poverty economics.

FAQS

What is the Food Basket Challenge?

For one week several high-profile people in Saskatoon will attempt to live off a food basket from the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre. Over the week they will share their thoughts and experiences online.

What are you trying to achieve?

The Food Basket Challenge aims to foster a dialogue about poverty in our community and strengthen the relationships between people who possess the lived experience of poverty and those who do not.
We’re not pushing any specific agenda policy. There are multiple strategies to ending poverty – let’s start the conversation.

What will the participants eat?

Participants will receive a standard food basket from the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre.
Food baskets typically consist of two to three days of food, although in reality many who rely on food baskets must make them last for one or two weeks.
The Challenge is to exist for up to one week using the food provided in the food basket, as well as up to five basic pantry items (flour, sugar, coffee, etc.) and $5.00 to supplement the food basket for the week.
Participants will not eat out or accept free food or drink. To make their food supplies last longer, the participants are welcome to use community meal programs (soup kitchens).

How can people understand poverty after just one week living off a food basket?

Poverty is a complex issue. People cannot understand hunger or poverty by living off a food basket for one week. Challenge participants can go back to their regular lives at any time. People living in poverty don’t have that choice.
We recognize the limitations of this Challenge but hope it will deepen the relationship between those who possess the lived experience of poverty and those who do not.

Who is participating in the Challenge?

For participant bios and information please click here.

Doesn’t this Challenge take food away from the people who really need it?

No – funds have been donated for the specific purpose of replenishing the food used in the Challenge.

Who is organizing this?

The Food Basket Challenge is organized by multiple groups and individuals. This multi-agency campaign is not intended to highlight the mandate of any one organization or act as an opportunity for fundraising.