Can You Eat Well on Food Stamps?

Organic food isn't cheap. In some neighborhoods, it's not even an option. Studies show that residents of poorer neighborhoods are less likely to have access to healthy food. Low-income areas are susceptible to the "food desert" phenomenon, where a lack of mainstream grocery stores means that fresh produce isn't readily available. The supermarket gap is filled by convenience stores and fast food chains, which contribute to higher rates of obesity and diabetes. 

The food divide is an ongoing issue, but it hasn't gone completely unnoticed. In some communities, citizens have responded by banning new fast food establishments or keeping local groceries stocked with organic food. Food activist Julie Flynn is documenting her one-month experience following a strict vegan diet on a $35 Food Stamp budget. Flynn's awareness-raising adventures in food will be recorded on her blog, On Food Stamps.

As the recession continues, more Americans are being forced to pinch pennies. Is healthy, organic food still an option when money is tight?

Here are our tips for eating green on a restricted budget:

• Buy food staples in bulk.

• Bring your lunch to work. Opt for cheap, healthy foods.

• Go vegetarian, even if it's only one day per week.

• Pick organics when it counts.

• Grow your own food. Pool resources at community gardens.

--Della Watson

Share your tips for eating well on the cheap in the comments section below.