Fall Comfort Foods and Nutrition

                In Grant County 2408 Families receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits. Grant County Nutrition Education Program, Grant County Public Library, and Grant County Community Action Agency identified families who needed assistance to make their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits stretch throughout the month.   Using the Healthy Choices curriculum, a series of seven classes were presented at the Grant County Public Library with clients who were identified from the Library staff and the Community Action Agency.  Each week, we prepared a Nutrition Education Program approved recipe for soups and stews.   Clients were given a Bingo card at the first session and were challenged to make small changes to help improve their health and nutrition which were listed on the Bingo card.  All clients who returned the completed card received a nutrition related prize.  Clients had the opportunity to prepare recipes, use a meat thermometer, plan meals, and learn about their drink choices, reading labels, the importance of budgeting and eating breakfast.  Parents, Senior Citizens, and Relatives raising children were able to attend the classes and sample nutritious soups, practice food safety, and get hands on cooking experience.  Every person attending had the opportunity to make a meal plan, use a meat thermometer, and practice cooking skills.  According to a national reporting system, by the end of the series, 100% of families ate more fruits, red and orange vegetables and made small changes to be more active.  Additionally 80% planned meals before shopping more often, cooked dinner at home more times a week, and thawed food at room temperature less often.  One client stated, “I look at labels when I go to the store each week.  I’ve changed the types of foods I buy.”  Another stated, “I had no idea comfort foods could be healthy!”