Cent$ible Nutrition News Helping Families Eat Better for Less
February/March 2019
Making the Most of a Tight Budget Tight budgets and putting food on the table can be difficult anytime, but especially during times of emergency. The partial government shutdown is having an impact on people across the United States and with February’s SNAP Benefits being released early, making food budgets last can be especially challenging. If you are worried about making your food resources last or putting food on the table, these tips can help: • Contact your Food Bank of the Rockies partnering agencies to find out if food resources are available. Food pantries, soup kitchens, etc. may have extra resources during this time. Visit https://goo.gl/vThvVy to find out about partnering agencies in your area. • Check with local food pantries to see what assistance is available. Talk to your local food pantry about receiving food through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). • Check for mobile pantries in your area: https://goo.gl/ Z6BYHR • Focus on inexpensive food sources. Beans, lentils, rice, canned fruits and vegetables, canned tuna and chicken, eggs, and other dried and canned goods have long shelf lives and tend to be less expensive than fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat. • Homemade casseroles, soups, chili, and skillet meals can help stretch food resources. Visit https:// whatscooking.fns.usda.gov/ for healthy, low-cost recipes or contact your CNP educator. • Make a weekly budget and meal plan to make sure food resources last until the end of the month. Your CNP educator can help you do this! • Check local social media pages for information about assistance, businesses offering support, and food availability in your area. Many churches, soup kitchens, restaurants, and more are offering support to those impacted by the government shutdown. • Visit with your child’s school to find out about qualifying for free or reduced-cost school lunch, food bag programs, and more. • For questions about SNAP Benefits, contact your local Department of Family Services office.
Volume 22 • Number 3
Red Beans & Rice Ingredients
• 1 teaspoon canola oil • 1 medium onion • 2 garlic cloves, chopped (1 teaspoon minced or ½ teaspoon powder) • 2 cups red beans cooked or 1 15-ounce can • 1 15-ounce can stewed tomatoes • ¼ teaspoon black pepper • ½-1 Tablespoon taco seasoning • 3 cups cooked brown rice
Directions
1. Heat oil in pan or electric skillet. Add onions and garlic. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. 2. Add beans, tomatoes, pepper, and taco seasoning. Cook over low heat and simmer for 30 minutes 3. Serve beans over hot rice. Makes 4 servings. Cent$ible Nutrition Program Cookbook, page 447
Cent$ible Nutrition Program
Eat Better For Less! Department 3354 1000 E. University Avenue Laramie, WY 82071 1-877-219-4646 (toll free within Wyoming) 307-766-5375 www.uwyo.edu/cnp cnp-info@uwyo.edu
Join the
Cent$ible Nutrition Program!
Free cookbook, kitchen tools, & cooking classes!
Learn how to save money and time at the grocery store, cook quick and healthy meals, and stretch your food dollar. The Cent$ible Nutrition Program is free to those who income qualify* and participants receive a free cookbook and kitchen tools. * Visit www.uwyo.edu/cnp/qualify/index.html to find out if you qualify.
Want more tips and information like this? Don’t wait!
Call your nearest Cent$ible Nutrition Program educator and sign up for free classes! Albany, 307-721-2571 Big Horn, 307-765-2868 Campbell, 307-682-7281 Carbon, 307-721-2571 Converse, 307-358-2417 Crook, 307-682-7281 Fremont (Lander), 307-332-2694 Fremont (Riverton), 307-857-3660 Goshen, 307-322-3667 Hot Springs, 307-857-3660 Johnson, 307-674-2980 Laramie, 307-633-4383 Lincoln (Afton), 307-885-3132
Lincoln (Kemmerer), 307-783-0570 Natrona, 307-235-9400 Niobrara, 307-358-2417 Park, 307-527-8560 Platte, 307-322-3667 Sheridan, 307-674-2980 Sublette, 307-885-3132 Sweetwater, 307-352-6775 Teton, 307-885-3132 Uinta, 307-783-0570 Washakie, 307-765-2868 Weston, 307-682-7281 Wind River Indian Reservation, 307-335-2872
Like us on Facebook for more great tips and recipes like these! www.facebook.com/UWCNP This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. This material was funded by USDA’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program-EFNEP. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.