How can we make talking about food insecurity and budgeting EBT less uncomfortable or ‘taboo’?

🛒 Let’s Talk Honestly About Budgeting EBT & Food Costs — A Conversation We Need to Have I’ve noticed something…We talk a lot about food insecurity, we talk about struggling, we even talk about the rising cost of groceries — but one thing we rarely talk about openly is how to actually budget food stamps (EBT). And maybe it’s because it feels personal.Maybe it’s uncomfortable.Maybe people are afraid of being judged. But the truth is:Food prices go up and down every single week.And even though EBT does help so many families, it doesn’t always stretch the way we need it to — especially when groceries jump in price overnight. So on this page, I want to create a space where we can actually talk about it. ✨ How do you budget your EBT?✨ What tricks help you make it through the month?✨ What items are getting too expensive, and what are your go-to substitutes?✨ What meals help you stretch your dollars (or stamps) the furthest? And for anyone reading this who doesn’t receive EBT — these tips and recipes aren’t just for one group of people. Affordable meals help everyone, especially now. I’ll keep sharing cheap, filling, realistic recipes — for families on EBT, for those who don’t qualify, and for anyone just trying to feed their household without breaking the bank. Let’s support each other.Let’s remove the shame.Let’s build a community where talking about food insecurity isn’t taboo — it’s empowering. 💛 Drop your tips, your struggles, your wins, or your favorite budget recipe below. Let’s start the conversation 👇

HOW I TURN $5 INTO A TWO-DAY MEAL Estimated Prices: • 1 bag mixed veggies: $1.50–$2.00 • 1 can chicken: $1.00–$1.50 Total: around $3.50 What it makes: A big bowl of mixed veggies and canned chicken. How to make it: • Heat the veggies and the canned chicken. • Mix together for a simple, satisfying meal. Why it lasts 2 days: ✔ Makes about 4 servings ✔ Veggies and chicken hold up well in the fridge ✔ Easy to reheat ✔ Healthy, filling, budget-friendly What’s your go-to cheap meal that lasts more than one day?

HOW I TURN $6 INTO A TWO-DAY MEAL Estimated Prices: • 6 baked yams: $3.00–$3.50 • 2 baked tilapia fillets: $2.00–$2.50 Total: around $5–$6 What it makes: A big plate of baked yams topped with flaked tilapia. How to make it: Bake the yams and bake the tilapia. Cut open each yam and crumble the baked tilapia on top for a filling, nutritious meal. Why it lasts 2 days: ✔ Makes about 4 servings ✔ Yams stay soft and hold up well after baking ✔ Easy to reheat ✔ Healthy, filling, budget-friendly What’s a cheap meal you make that lasts more than one day?

🍅🌶️✨ Stretch Your Grocery Budget With This $5–$6 Meal ✨🌶️🍅 Feeding your family doesn’t have to break your wallet. With 6 Roma tomatoes, 6 peppers, and 2 cups of brown or white rice, you can make a healthy, filling meal that lasts 2 full days! Estimated Prices: - 6 Roma tomatoes: $1.50–$2.00 - 6 peppers (mixed colors): $2.00–$2.50 - 2 cups rice: about $1.00➡️ Total: around $4.50–$5.50 What it makes: A big pot of seasoned peppers + tomatoes cooked down into a rich, flavorful sauce over rice. It’s affordable, nutritious, and perfect for feeding yourself (and kids!) for multiple meals. Why it lasts 2 days: ✔️ Makes 4–6 servings ✔️ Rice expands & keeps you full ✔️ Veggies create a juicy, hearty sauce ✔️ Easy to reheat—tastes even better the next day! My kids love this meal. What protein would you add?