Family Nutrition   

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The Family Nutrition Program's mission is to increase the ability of individuals and families with limited resources to utilize their food dollars and food stamps appropriately and to provide a safe meal environment. This mission is accomplished by providing free, informal, and easily accessible educational programs in the home and community. These programs focus on developing knowledge and skills related to nutrition and meal planning; food purchasing, preparation, and safety; and food budgeting.

The Family Nutrition Program provides food and nutrition education exclusively for food stamp recipients and for food stamp-eligible persons in 52 counties. People targeted for FNP food and nutrition education programs are those singles, families with and without children, and elderly who are ineligible to participate in EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program).

Program Collaborations: FNP works with agencies serving limited resource audiences to reach the clientele with nutrition education. Our partnership is with Indiana Family and Social Services and many case workers refer clients to the Family Nutrition Program. Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) currently use FNP as a second nutrition contact for WIC clients. Step Ahead has also been very helpful in referring clients to the Family Nutrition Program.

Family Nutrition Program assistant Veronique Brown delivers a series of lessons on food safety, choosing healthy foods, meal planning, and food purchase, storage, preparation, and sanitation.  A core curriculum comprised of Foods and Nutrition Components, Food Safety, and Resource Management is utilized in conjunction with food skills training. Nutrition and budgeting education help ensure that families and individuals gain the knowledge and skills necessary to change behavior to improve their diet, health, and economic situation, thereby improving their quality of life. Every effort is made to focus on each client's needs. Delivery methods include informal classes or group presentations, individual consultations and home visits, demonstrations, radio spots, newsletters, fact sheets, information booths at grocery stores, and community events.

If you would like more information on this extension program call (219) 984-5115. 

       

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