FOOD $ENSE

(SNAP-Ed)

So what is Food $ense?• Federally Funded Program• Provides Nutrition Education for food stamps (SNAP) recipients• Helps participants reach optimal

nutrition while living on a budget

Food Stamps (SNAP) and Food $ense

• Provides nutrition education to those eligible• Food Stamps (SNAP) participants eligible for

Food $ense benefits

How it all started • Started in 1992• By 2003, 49 states

participating.• Caters to mothers and children

What is available to you?• Free classes taught all over Utah• Local Farmers’ Market• Blogs• Website/Online Lessons• Media involvement

Free Classes! • Creates curriculum taught • Addresses essentials needed to create your

own family meal• Tutorials to create casseroles, soups, pizzas and much more!

Main Focus of Classes:

Provide knowledge and opportunities for participants to create something of their own

Provide access to resources and encourage creativity in the kitchen

Help participants differentiate between foods, learn how to use them, and try different cooking methods

Example Class• CREATE a stir Fry– Prepare 1 protein– Marinate protein– Prepare produce– Warm skillet– Make sauce or glaze

Sample Class cont.• Additional goals/help:– properly stocked pantry– How to handle tofu

• Kitchen equipment for each meal• Cooking safely

Additional help• May not be familiar with certain foods or

procedures. • Interactive and fun way to solidify information• Provide you with confidence to CREATE meals in YOUR home.

Successes with CreatesA participant who had been using the “Live well Utah” Booklet said that their family had been using it to choose a new vegetable each week. They reported trying a Kale and pasta salad, something that was very new to them.

“Even though I have cooked for years and watched a few programs on the cooking channel, I have been very happy and excited from what I’ve learned at the classes.” – Creates Participant

Local Farmers Market• Cache Valley Farmers Market– Food $ense booth– Samples with fresh produce from market– Accepts Food Stamps (SNAP)

Blogs• Eat Well Utah: Statewide Blog– Education and online lessons

• Snappily Ever After: Using Food Stamps (SNAP)– One moms ideas and tips for living on a budget

Online Classes/Website• Classes:– Take lessons and complete quizzes (cookbook)

• Website:– How to Plan– How to Cook– How to Eat– Recipes!

Media• Facebook page• Pinterest Board• Instagram

Conclusion• FREE! • Create classes provide hands on experience

and encourage creativity• Resources easily accessed

• Questions?