Pantry receives funding for expansion of our Nutrition Education Program
Jul 5, 2011
Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry’s Nutrition Education Program was piloted in late 2010 when we launched our “client choice” model of food distribution (wherein clients shop for their food rather than receive pre-packaged allotments). As part of a Kraft Foods Feeding Possibilities grant received to implement client choice, we also piloted a Nutrition Education Program in order to help people make healthier choices with Pantry food. The program educates Pantry clients on healthful food choices and preparation. A dietician and interns carry out nutrition education sessions, which include presentations, handouts, and recipes. The Nutrition Education Program began by presenting nutrition education at approximately half of our food distribution sessions—for a total of four per month. Topics have included: incorporating whole grains in your diet, eating more fruits and vegetables, label reading, and using low-fat dried milk (a common USDA commodity).
Our Nutrition Education Program also addresses the link between hunger and obesity. For individuals in low-income situations, access to fresh produce and nutrient dense food is severely limited (full-service grocery stores are scarce in high-poverty areas, and farmers’ markets are usually nonexistent). Ironically, this confluence of poverty and lack of good food often results in obesity: a person’s limited income is spent on inexpensive foods that are high in fat, sugar, and preservatives, and a “feast or famine” eating cycle leads to metabolic changes that promote fat storage. This dangerous and common phenomenon is avoidable with consistent access to nutrient dense food.
Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry’s Nutrition Education sessions include samples of nutritious foods made from Pantry ingredients. The food samples have been a major factor in motivating clients to learn more about nutrition. Clients are pleased to discover the samples are made with food from the Pantry and appreciate the opportunity to replicate the recipes at home. They are also taking the initiative to talk to the dietician about other food-related health issues, such as diabetes. And on days the program has been conducted, Pantry staff has noticed a distinct up-tick in the amount of the featured ingredient from the Nutrition Education Program chosen off the Pantry shelves.
Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry is grateful for the support from the grant programs of Kraft Foods Feeding Possibilities, Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation - Young Philanthropists and BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. With these funds, the Pantry will be able to achieve the following goals of its Nutrition Education program: 1) Encouraging Pantry clients to make healthier food choices. 2) Improving Pantry waiting room atmosphere (which can have high noise and anxiety levels). The Nutrition Education Program provides a calming influence by giving clients something to do while waiting (many take the time to read their nutrition fact sheets) and by encouraging positive interaction between clients (many have shared recipes with each other). 3) Providing clients with an avenue to try new foods, as well as easy, inexpensive recipes for using them. 4) Providing real-life work experience for dietetics students.