KA 703. Nutrition Education and Behavior

A New Twist Adds Flavor to Food Distribution..........
Fridays are busy for Nurtition Educators as they prepare a recipe for foods items given by the Community Pantry on a weekly basis. What do I do with this eggplant? That's a question Jim Harlin heard as he passed out the weeks food items. Most McKinley County recipents had no idea what eggplant was much less how to prepare it. Since August 2006 Gayleen and LaRae have received items from the pantry and prepared a recipe for the items received that week. They have also included that weeks recipe, nutrition and food safety information in the food box. About 400 participants receive commodities each week which is a total of about 1,600 per month. Since then very little waste of food has been reported or turned back to the pantry. People are trying the recipes and most have said that they like the tasting prior to picking up their Box. The collaboration between CES and The Community Pantry was successful in helping people with cultural difference to accept and try different kinds of foods that are not familiar to them. Next goal is to have some of the food recipients register for ICAN Nutrition classes.

Crownpoint Diabetes Education
With the collaberative efforts of Lori Bigthumb-Bates Crownpoint IHS (Indian Health Services) and Pat Sheley Diatician Gallup IHS we offered the second "Kitchen Creations" at the Wellness Center in Crownpoint. Participants gained knowledge through litrature and hands-on activities. CIT (Crownpoint Institute of Technology) allowed a special hands-on session at the computer lab for learners to access MyPyramid. Other sessions coverd in classes were from the Kitchen Creations curriculum. Participants enjoyed preparing and sampeling several recipes from New Mexico Recipes. Nine community members from Home Care agencies completed the program in September 2006. Implementing this new knowledge will be very beneficial to all the adults and youth of the community.

Shelly Porter has signed on to support KA 703. Nutrition Education and Behavior within Colfax County.

Shannon Wooton has signed on to support KA 703. Nutrition Education and Behavior within Chaves County.

Charly Fisher has signed on to support KA 703. Nutrition Education and Behavior within Eddy County.