Teaching nutrition and life-skills to adults with low incomes
Abstract
The Super Pantry Program of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank conducts a seven-week program on nutrition education and life-skills for recipients of the USDA Food Stamp Program in the rural area surrounding Verona, Virginia. The goal of the program is to help clients reach self-sufficiency. The nutrition lessons are conducted in partnership with the Virginia Cooperative Extension. The life-skills training is provided by community-based speakers arranged by the Food Bank. AmeriCorps*VISTA members assist with site staff training and coordinating life-skills training.Issue
People with limited food resources need nutrition knowledge, food preparation skills, and budgeting strategies to maintain a healthy diet.Action
The Super Pantry Program of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank provides nutrition education and life-skills courses to recipients of the USDA Food Stamp Program. The Food Bank has partnered with Virginia Cooperative Extension, which is supported through Virginia Tech University, since 1996. The Virginia Cooperative Extension office offers the Smart Choices Nutrition Education Program (SCNEP).- Trainers certified through SCNEP teach nutrition lessons, free of charge, to the clients of the Food Bank.
- The Food Bank provides all food products for the program, also at no charge to clients.
- Super Pantry courses are taught to groups of eight to twelve clients, usually in facilities provided by local churches or schools. Classes are held one day a week for seven weeks; each class lasts four-and-a-half hours. Approximately 1000 clients have completed the program since its inception in 1996.
- Virginia Cooperative Extension uses written pre- and post-tests to determine the changes in nutritional behavior of clients. The pre-test is given on the first day of the Super Pantry Program. The post-test is given at the end of the seven week course. Virginia Cooperative Extension compiles the data and generates the report.
- Since many of the Super Pantry Program participants are parents of young children, the Food Bank offers free on-site childcare during class time. The Food Bank funds the child care service but, as a safeguard against liability, contracts with temporary employment agencies to supply child care providers.
- Participants who complete the Super Pantry Program are honored at a graduation ceremony, where they receive certificates and share a nutritional cake.
AmeriCorps*VISTA members help set up new sites hosting Super Pantry programs by training site staff and coordinating life-skills courses. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is implementing a new system for AmeriCorps*VISTA members to build sustainability within the Super Pantry Program.
In addition to courses provided by SCNEP, the Food Bank coordinates community-based speakers to present life-skills courses as part of the Super Pantry Program.
Context
The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in Virginia serves low-income residents in the rural counties surrounding the town of Verona. As a clearinghouse it solicits, collects, and distributes food to qualified churches and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide meals or supplemental and emergency food boxes free to the needy. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Inc. is itself a 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation, as well as a certified affiliate of America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization.
SCNEP is funded through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Additional support comes from in-kind resources of local Virginia Cooperative Extension offices, which are funded by state and local governments.
Outcome
Approximately 1000 clients had completed the program between 1996 and 2002.
Positive changes have been recorded in the nutritional behavior of Super Pantry Program graduates.
Participants become aware of other related services during the course of the program.
Many of the participants refer other Food Bank clients to the Super Pantry Program and some have even become volunteers for the program, enabling them to support others in need.
Posted On
January 23, 2002For More Information
Related Practices
Related sites
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Food Stamp Program Nutrition Education