Gwyneth Paltrow Gives Up On Food Stamp Challenge After Just 4 Days

Gwyneth Paltrow has given up on the Food Bank Challenge she was set after just four days. The 42-year-old actress admitted she had lasted four days before caving to buy chicken, fresh vegetables and a pack of liquorice. Paltrow was set the challenge by chef Mario Batali to raise awareness for New York City Food Bank. Paltrow's challenge was to buy enough food on $29, the amount families living on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are given, to last a week.

Read More: Gwyneth Paltrow Will Live On Food Stamps (Or Equivalent) For A Week.

Paltrow posted a photograph on Twitter of the food she had acquired for the week. Her selection included: a dozen eggs, a package of tortillas, an ear of corn, a sweet potato, an avocado, garlic, an onion, a tomato, lettuce, a pepper and bags of black beans, frozen peas, brown rice, kale and a number of limes.

Paltrow was mocked by a number of social media users, not only for seemingly 'playing at being poor' but also for her selection of perishable goods. Batali immediately jumped to her defence, claiming Paltrow would "actually do it", unlike the Twitter trolls.

my pal @gwynethpaltrow takes heat 4 doing #FoodStampChallenge are any of the haters going to give it a shot? she'll actually DO it. can you?

— Mario Batali (@Mariobatali) April 15, 2015

Ironically, Paltrow did fail the challenge. Paltrow updated her fans on her lifestyle website GOOP.

"As I suspected, we only made it through about four days, when I personally broke and had some chicken and fresh vegetables (and in full transparency, half a bag of black liquorice)," Paltrow wrote on her blog. "My perspective has been forever altered by how difficult it was to eat wholesome, nutritious food on that budget, even for just a few days-a challenge that 47 million Americans face every day, week, and year."

Paltrow continued by diverting the subject away from the issue of food banks to the connected topic of equal pay.

This is what $29 gets you at the grocery store-what families on SNAP (i.e. food stamps) have to live on for a week. pic.twitter.com/OZMPA3nxij

— Gwyneth Paltrow (@GwynethPaltrow) April 9, 2015

"After trying to complete this challenge (I would give myself a C-), Paltrow added. "I am even more outraged that there is still not equal pay in the workplace. Sorry to go on a tangent, but many hardworking mothers are being asked to do the impossible: Feed their families on a budget which can only support food businesses that provide low-quality food."

Paltrow's efforts have been commended by the NYC Food Bank and they thanked her for drawing attention to the plight of many in the city. Writing on Twitter, the organisation said: "Thank you @GwynethPaltrow. This challenge highlights obstacles SNAP recipients face each day. Together we can work to end hunger in our city."

Although Paltrow's effort was valiant and has raised awareness of the issue surrounding food banks, she somewhat missed the point. For low income families who have to use food stamps, there isn't the option to cave and buy extra food.

Read More: Gwyneth Paltrow Would Love For Her Children To Run Goop In The Future.

Thank you @GwynethPaltrow. This challenge highlights obstacles SNAP recipients face each day. Together we can work to end hunger in our city

— Food Bank For NYC (@FoodBank4NYC) April 16, 2015