Mario Batali’s attempt to eat on a food stamp budget leaves me with some distaste. It’s a gimmick by a very rich man to pretend to attempt to know what it’s like to live like a very poor one.
The week-long social experiment (now over) came about after the GOP led House gave a collective thumbs up in support of deep cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) and other social services and programs by more than $200 billion.
“It causes us to think about what hunger is,” said Batali on his tv show “The Chew.”
Here’s a thought about hunger -- it sucks!
The number of folks collecting food stamps has risen like sea levels – a rise due in large part to the recession. More people are unemployed, so more people can’t afford to make ends meet. According to a recent survey by the Agriculture Department, the food stamp program has served as a life preserver, actually reducing the country’s poverty rate while making sure that most everyone can eat.
Batali went on to inquire, in a quasi-rhetorical manner, “whether the state is responsible for feeding people.”
The answer is yes. It’s part of this country’s social safety net. It helps prevent families with next to nothing from deciding between food on the table and heat in the radiator -- the Sophiesque choices that lead to gloomy outcomes all around. It serves as the slightest of indications that the world’s richest country cares for those within her borders.
From traveling the world, to getting the best seats in the house, to setting up that philanthropic foundation to give back, I imagine being rich is pretty awesome. It also allows you the freedom and luxury to eat on a food stamp budget for one week and lobster salad alla catalana with tomato and celery the next.
A few years ago, a tv news producer friend of mine in Los Angeles was laid off, a victim of his company’s desire to do more with less, which eventually led to him doing less with less. His bills didn’t disappear, just the means in which he was able to pay them.
“Remember that time I was on food stamps,” he recently said to me. “Yeah, that was awesome.”
The word awesome was wrapped in sarcasm, pancake batter thick.
Last week, MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell took great exception to Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld asking whether Batali’s stunt wanted to make you “slap him around.” O’Donnell praised Batali for trying to help the country understand what it’s like to try and feed a family on food stamps. (Of course 1 and 7 Americans don't need a reminder.) And before going on to sprinkle Batali with more plaudits for his foundation’s work with the poor, O’Donnell quoted an Associated Press article about Batali’s “challenge,” in which the chef was asked how it was going after four days.
“I’m (expletive deleted) starving,” was his response.
I imagine similar bellyaching from Batali about his food stamp stunt within the next few weeks, as he sits down with friends in similar tax brackets to share rosemary-infused Hendricks Gin and Lamb Rack alla Romana with Lemon Yogurt and Swiss Chard.
Still, I suppose my chief complaint with regard to Batali's project, is that it's bigger than just him. It has to do with modern pathos that poverty elicits from the advantaged.
My eyes rolled when I first read about former Chicago mayor Jane Byrne’s brief move into the Cabrini Green housing project to raise awareness about the city’s gang problems. I uttered the word “really” with a deep sigh when CBS premiered Undercover Boss, a reality show in which a company’s CEO or other top boss goes undercover as just another worker bee, to discover, wait for it... wait for it... that worker bee life can be pretty tough.
There is, however, a saving grace to Undercover Boss. The CEOs are in a position to actually redress some of the problems of working conditions within their company. Kind of like the way Batali is in a position to rectify the concerns of his own restaurant employees, except of course when the problem is tip skimming and the accused beneficiary is Batali.
I get it, I really do. Batali wants to raise awareness. He’s sympathetic to remedying the nation’s worst suffering. It’s a nice gesture.
Except the whole thing reminds me of a segment from the Onion News Network, called: How Can We Raise Awareness in Darfur of How Much We’re Doing for Them?
Todd Cole is a segment producer on Up w/Chris Hayes
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I hear you and agree to some extent. But realistically, the plight of the poor, imprisoned, sick and under-served is rarely framed or publicized by current members of those groups. The MSNBC hosts and contributors appear to be well-educated, well-fed and faring well.
I'd like to see a credible, well-produced cable commentary show that is fully produced, researched, hosted and guested by everyday struggling folks.
The problem I have with this social experiment is that it so barely scratches the surface. I just spent several months with an income of $200/month. The food stamps were the ONLY welfare I qualified for. Disabled, yet medicare had been completely cut off.
So you have food stamps. No housing. No utilities. Nothing for clothing or toothpaste, much less for job-searching, to get to the interview, or for the medical care necessary to make you well enough to even work. My $200/month income just covered my cell phone, a data card for my laptop so I can at least job-search online, and insurance for the vehicle I lived in. No welfare even for gas for that vehicle, in a town where it is literally illegal to be homeless - illegal to park and sleep in your vehicle.
THAT is what I would like to see every senator and presidential candidate attempt to live on. $6.75/day on food stamps plus no home with a fridge to keep that food or an oven to cook it in.
All right you little mama's boy, so you feel uncomfortable calling our fallen service members heros huh? Why don't you go to the nearest VA and say that? Have you yourself ever served? While I don't really expect a whole lot from msnnbc, I thought respect for fallen service members would be the minimum respect you could have. Please don't disgrace yourself by commenting on things you are not qualified to comment on. Go join your occupier friends and sing cumbaya and leave the adults table. I plan to post this on every VA site, support group and if I can I think your parents should be told to. I dare you to go to any Memorial Day service and tell them how you feel, oh wait it's easier and safer to do this from behind a desk...coward. And yes I am a vet.
Chris - you are truely a real, genuine piece of @!$%#. To open your foul, disgusting mouth and dinigrate those who have served and sacrificed for this country is beyond the pale. You deserve to be shot like the rabbid dog you are.
God Bless America and damn your perverted soul.
Good Lord. Better get back on your meds. I wonder why haters are such bad spellers!
Thanks for proving Chris's point! You are no hero!
If you're going to take issue about what was said during a discussion, it's advisable that you actually watch and listen to the video. Here is the quote from Chris Hayes:
"It is very difficult to talk about the war dead and the fallen without invoking valor, without invoking the word 'heroes.' Why do I feel so uncomfortable about the word hero? I feel uncomfortable about the word hero because it seems to me that it is so rhetorically proximate to justification to moral war. And don't want to, obviously, desecrate or disrespect the memory of anyone that's fallen, and obviously there are individual circumstances in which there is genuine and tremendous heroism - the hail of gunfire and rescuing fellow soldiers and things like that. But it seems to me that we marshal this word in a way that is problematic, but maybe I'm wrong about that."
As a veteran with a 100% disability rating, I have no problem whatsoever with this statement. Chris was entirely repectful while expressing his personal views, as were his guests. If you have a problem with the above statement, then it appears that you're just looking to vent faux outrage over a problem that doesn't exist.
Thank you, Todd. FYI I saw a really great film about food stamps at the Food For Thought Film Series in the Chippewa Valley of WI. It was co-produced by a nutritionist who works for Kaiser Permanente’s national employee wellness program. The film is called Food Stamped and it really gets at the growing problem of food insecurity and how the food stamp program interacts with changes in food production, marketing and agricultural subsidies. Also, Colorlines did a really good short piece on food stamps as well.
Thanks again for your post,
Christopher
Todd, I think you're way off mark here. Mario Batali partnered with the New York City Food Bank to raise awareness about potential cuts to the food stamp program, which helps feed 46 million Americans. His "gimmick" was to show how difficult it is for even a culinary trained chef to create nourishing meals for himself and his family on a budget of $31 per person per week or $1.48 per meal.
According to an ABC News report, Batali sees the proposed cuts as a direct indicator of America’s food philosophy. “Are we Darwinists — where we live and let live? Or are we nurturing as a society?” The chef puts himself in the latter category.
Far too many people are unaware of the conditions of those who rely on food stamps. If Mario Batali can bring awareness to their plight, more power to him.
I'm in total agreement with this.
Sorry, Todd, but I have to disagree, based upon what I know of this. I admit I haven't watched the show, and my info comes from here and the Last Word, so my info is limited.
It seems that if nothing else, this has pointed the conversation in a different direction than the normal con bot rails against the poor, and how they only want sit around doing nothing, living off their enormous $246 weekly unemployment checks and selling of their food stamps to put gas in their BMWs. It's rather refreshing to see someone actually make the attempt to eat off food stamps, then announce that he's '$@#%78 starving.'
Amazing that the Republicans want to cut the food stamp program, considering economists pretty much agree they have a stimulative effect, injecting money directly into the economy. Far more than tax cuts for millionaires.
Well, maybe not so amazing after all considering it is the modern GOP.
Sorry, Todd, but I'm with Kaneblues on this. And I go without food regularly as a way to triage power bills, internet service, donations, mortgage, et al., so that I've lost over 30% of my body weight over the last 15 months. So I know from hungry, and now disabled and poor after a lifetime well off and borderline charismatic, I know from humiliation So I say kudos to anyone in a position to call attention to the problems of those falling out of our ever-more-porous safety net! Cynicism is fine, but believing in better motives of those trying to do good is so much easier. Less time to worry about the painful, empty stomach, you see.
I applaud anyone who at least attempts to speak for those in need. That is what most religions (and the 'Golden Rule') teach is the right thing to do. I really don't understand why some people who have never been poor, simply cannot feel any empathy for others. I appreciate that this rich man can. I know there are some people that have, and still do take advantage of the system, but the vast majority of people on foodstamps, are struggling to make ends meet for basic necessities, and it is inexcusable that they have to suffer ridicule when everything else in their life has just 'gone to hell'. I've been to hell and back, and am eternally grateful to my family and friends for helping me get thru it.
Chris,
If fighting and dying to protect your freedom is not heroic, I do not know what is. You need to read the constitution and reflect on what these men, over many generations, have done to protect your freedoms. That really is the most despicable comment I have ever heard a newsperson say. People fight and die to protect your first amendment rights. Think about it.
I agree. Just signing on the dotted line to enlist is an act of heroism - one that many choose not to do. Even if a Soldier, Sailor or Marine doesn't make the headlines with the kind of heroic act sir hayes is looking for, he doesn't seem to understand that a great military unit is not just one hero - it's a collection of men who agree to have another one's back should the need arise. With that assurance, only then can a military unit complete their mission.
Chris Hayes says: 'I'm 'Uncomfortable' Calling Fallen Military 'Heroes''
Well Chris maybe you should stick to what you are comfortable with like having male genitalia in your mouth.
Think about someone dying to protect your first amendment rights. You are not worth dying for, but they did it anyway. And they are not heroes? You are scum.
Chill Mr. Cole.......don't let the perfect become the enemy of "at least doing something to move the dialog along."
Do you know who I hate more than vulgarians like Gutfield? Wealthy liberal elites who posture on my behalf.
I've been homeless twice and on food stamps and gone to food shelves. ANYTHING that brings attention to the struggles of those who have to do without certain necessities is ok in my book.
I appreciate Mario Batali’s gesture, which is of course all it is, far far more than Chris's attempt to be offended for me. I can do that on my own thank you.
To steal a similar line from Paper Chase, email your mom and tell her there are serious doubts about you ever becoming a real journalist. What a ridiculous thing to say on Memorial Day weekend! Apologize now and move on.
I think David Blaine's most amazing magic feat would be to work at a McDonald's for a year and still pay all his bills...rent, utilities, gas, clothing, cable, phone...without being filmed and without prospects for the future after the year is up. Like Houdini, I think the main thought on his mind would be,"escape."
I like the idea of celebrities living in the real world. For instance, illusionist and endurance performer David Blaine could work at McDonald's for a year while trying to pay all his bills...rent, utilities, gas, insurance, phone, cable, clothes...without being filmed and without the prospect of a better future after that year. Like Houdini, I'm sure his one thought would be, "escape."
Good article. We need one like every so often. Batali looks like he could miss a few meals, so on the sympathy scale he gets a minus 3. The fact that he did it, could do it, makes it even more nauseating in a way. After a year on it, he should write an article, not have some one write one for him. UP is not trying to be hip, is it?
I volunteer for 3 hrs. Mon. thru Frid. from 6 AM to 9AM to pick up donations of food from local food coops, Whole Foods and Trader Joe for a local Food Shelf. Both Whole Foods and Trader Joe are incredibly generous in the amount of fruit and produce that they donate. I finish with my pick up and deliveries by 9AM when the Food Shelf doors open. It is heartbreaking to see the long line of people of all ages and skin color. Many are there with young children. On some days when the Food Shelf is short on distribution volunteers I stay to help out. It has never ceased to amaze me that by noon the bulk of the food is gone. From the [produce brought in nothing is left to be thrown out: over ripend bananas, bruised fruit, loose celery stalks and even loose leaves of lettuce are gone before the day is done. The majority of people who come are already receiving food stamps. The alloted amounts simply do not cover the cost of food needed by one individual per month. This Food Shelf limits each person to 20 lbs. of food per month. That is @ 1 grocery bag of food. The produce and fruit that I bring in daily is available to everyone and is above and beyond the wight limit of 20 lbs. Each person is limited to one bag.
The Food Shelf is run out of a Church basement, a difficult place to reach for many elderly and disabled individuals. It is heartbreaking to witness this unmet need day in and day out. Then I read about the 725% pay spike in CEO pay versus a 5.7% employee wage increase over the past 30 years and it makes my blood boil.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/02/ceo-pay-worker-pay_n_1471685.html#s932005&title=Wage_Inequality
S&P published their report for the amount of profit generated by each corporate employee in 2011 for the Fortune 500 corporations. They reported that on average each employee generated @ $425,000.00 per year in profit for each corporation. What did the employees get? Cuts in benefits and stagnant wages that make it impossible to keep up with the cost of living increases.
We have allowed corporate America to takeover our government and destroy collective bargaining thru Union busting. Now they own the Republican party and are out to destroy the public Unions all the while screaming for smaller government. When a Republican demands smaller government what they are in fact wanting is to privatize all government service into corporate run and taxpayer funded entities with a weak government that is incapeable to protect it's citizens against corporate predation. The fact that the annual median wage for a working family of four has fallen to $ 26,000.00 per year is the result of corporate predation and millions of Americans forced onto Food Stamps because of wages they deny them the ability to feed and house their families. No family of four can live on 26,000.00 per year without major government assistance.
@!$%# you Chris!!! you have a problem with calling our service men and women heroes? @!$%# YOU how's that. Let me guess, Obama is a hero to you. You are less than scum and I hope you havbe a problem with I say. Douchebag
Thanks Todd Cole for a well written expose of the self serving hypocrisy of the self indulgent rich like Batalli. When I learned of him skimming the tips of his wait staff I made up my mind never to support this man's business and to spread the word to everyone I know.
To Dwayne Michaels: Did you listen to the whole segment or simply blow your stack in the first few seconds of Mr. Hayes' remark. I appreciate what Mr. Hayes and his guests had to say on the use of the word "Heroism" for the soldiers killed in action.
I appreciate the courage of Mr. Hayes and his guest to speak honestly about the use of "hero" for whitewashing the wholesale slaughter of our military personnel and innocent civilians in illegal corporate interest wars.
There is nothing heroic about being shot. You don't call the victims of gun violence heroes do you? I come from a military family in which the last three generations of men have served on the battle front - including my father. No one of these men would agree with you. When a priest pronounced a relative killed in action to be a hero my father quite audibly in the church called out the priest for being a bullsh**ter.
There are soldiers who do deserve to be called heroes because of what they did in battle to protect their comrades. When you start calling every fallen soldier a hero you diminish the valor and true courage of those who selflessly perform heroic acts. There is nothing heroic about enlisting in the military. For most it is an act of economic desperation that has nothing to do with heroism. Most military people know this and are not afraid to be honest about it. No man in my family is. Only the BS spewers will seek to ennoble their choices of desperation or last resort as heroic.
I disagree with you. Just signing on the dotted line to enlist is an act of heroism - one that many choose not to do. Even if a Soldier, Sailor or Marine doesn't make the headlines with the kind of heroic act sir hayes is looking for, he doesn't seem to understand that a great military unit is not just one hero - it's a collection of men and women, individuals, who agree to have another one's back should the need arise. With that assurance, only then can a military unit complete their mission.
Its nice for people to see first hand how tough it can be living off food stamps. But I really would like for us to work on not needing the food stamp programs by fixing the economy and getting more jobs back here in the US.
www.foodstampbalance.net
Mario Batali could have gone 2 or 3 weeks without eating at all and still need 2 airline seats. In fairness, that shouldn't get in the way of a good publicity stunt.
Do you address the unusual trend of 45 cents of each dollar in our economy under President Clinton going to the 1%, 62 cents under GWB, and 93 cents of every dollar under President Obama going to the top 1% (in your new book 1%--Chris)? Data retrieved from the Roosevelt Institute.