SNAP uncertainty: Tips for making the most out of your meals
JACKSON, Tenn. — The government shutdown has now entered day 35, which is now tied for the longest shutdown in history.
With this, SNAP benefits are going to be funded but only by half and will be delayed.
We have more details on what to look for at the grocery store and how to make food in your pantry last.
The government shutdown is still ongoing and several citizens across the U.S. are still questioning how they will put food on their tables without the benefits of SNAP.
According to the USDA, SNAP provides food benefits to low-income individuals to increase their grocery budget so they can afford food.
Locally in Madison County, there are currently 16.3% of people relying on SNAP benefits out of 100,490 residents which means around 16,300 citizens receive benefits.
Tennille Short with the UT Extension Office in Madison County gives some suggestions on what to look for when you do go to the grocery store.
“We still want to get our produce in, so I suggest that you go for the canned or the frozen because the fresh produce is going to go bad more quickly and canned is always a good solution of course you want to look for the ones that are low sodium and for the fruit you want to look for the ones that are lower in sugar,” said Short.
Short also recommends thinking ahead and making a list of items that you consider a necessity, so you do not overspend. She demonstrates a simple recipe that you can make for dinner right at home.
“Another thing that I like to do for dinner are the chicken baked potatoes. Around here a lot of people like BBQ on potatoes, but using your shredded chicken breast is a great way to give your potato some protein, so you can just top it pretty heavily cause we are doing this as a main course, so we’re going to really press it down in there so that everybody is getting enough of it and you are free to top it with whatever you want. We have cheese here, but you can put on if you’ve got green onions that makes a great taste or if you want to add some bacon bits whatever you want to do. You can load this baked potato,” said Short.
Lawmakers are hopeful that the shutdown could end this week. See more tips and recipes from Short below:
Easy Chicken Salad
Combine cooked shredded chicken with chopped onion and chopped celery. Add a Tablespoon of relish, if desired. Add just enough mayonnaise that you can stir the mixture. Sprinkle in your favorite seasoning and stir until well mixed. Let is chill for at least an hour and serve on bread or crackers.
Stuffed Chicken Potatoes
Bake your potatoes at 400 degrees for about an hour, until you can easily pierce them with a fork. Let cool a bit, then cut open. Stuff with cooked shredded chicken. Other topping options include cheese, onion, and sour cream.
Freezing Leftover Cooked Shredded Chicken
Use a plastic bag or container that is safe for freezer use. If using a bag, get as much air out of the bag as possible before you close it. Freeze chicken and use within 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when ready to use.
For more local news, click here.
