The partnership between Pike County Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program Education (SNAP-Ed) and Shelby Valley Veterans’ Home, a facility that serves homeless veterans in our area.  Residents are provided housing and supportive services for up to 2 years while transitioning into permanent housing, is thriving in its third year!

Healthy Choices curriculum was utilized as residents learned about MyPlate Dietary Guidelines, the limits of fat, sugar and sodium, meal planning, nutrition facts, how to budget and food safety.   Residents also learned portion control, knife skills, and measuring and mixing ingredients.  

Fourteen residents completed the program with a 100% graduation rate. Seventy nine percent showed improvement in food resource practices, Eighty six percent showed improvement in food safety practices. Seventy nine percent showed improvement in Diet Quality.

Here are some responses from the residents, “I have learned that storing and preparing the food is just as important as the actual cooking of the food.”   “I learned that good food don’t have to have a million calories to taste good, thanks for teaching me how to prepare things differently and healthier.”   "I went to the Dr. and got a great report because of the classes, my cholesterol is the lowest it's every been thanks to you."