The Food Stamp Challenge meme stems from a real-world social awareness campaign where individuals attempt to live on a budget equivalent to the average SNAP benefit for a week. On the internet, this transitioned into a comedic format where users share images of bizarre, minimal, or surprisingly luxurious food items paired with self-deprecating humor about their financial status. It often highlights the struggle of inflation or the creative ways people stretch a dollar, using irony to cope with economic hardships. The template is widely used on platforms like Twitter and Instagram to showcase 'broke' meals that look either tragic or oddly appetizing, making it a relatable staple of economic commentary.