Cent$ible Nutrition News Helping Families Eat Better for Less
August/September 2019
Growing Food, Growing Skills Fresh fruits and vegetables can be hard to find in Wyoming at times and they can be tough on limited budgets. The Cent$ible Nutrition Program (CNP) and its partners around the state are working to change this through local gardens. CNP is known for teaching nutrition and cooking classes. In the last couple of years, it has also started working with partners to grow fruits and vegetables.
Volume 22 • Number 6
Panned Carrots & Onions Ingredients • • • • •
½ medium onion, chopped 1 Tablespoon canola oil 3 cups carrots, shredded or grated ½ teaspoon salt Black pepper to taste
Last year, CNP partnered with the University of Wyoming Extension (UWE) and the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center (SAREC) to build three hoop houses. This summer, SAREC is building three geo-domes for CNP and its partners to use. Hoop houses and geo-domes are similar to green houses, but use only the sun’s heat for warmth. Both make the growing season longer, which is helpful in Wyoming.
Directions
The food harvested from these gardens and hoop houses goes to food pantries, senior centers, and people who have limited access to fresh produce. The gardens also offer great learning opportunities for all ages.
Makes 6 servings.
1. Wash hands with warm, soapy water. 2. In a medium skillet or electric skillet cook onion in oil for 1 minute over low heat. 3. Add carrots. 4. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Cover tightly and steam until carrots are tender, about 5-8 minutes. Cent$ible Nutrition Program Cookbook, p. 184
“I had never worked in a garden before working with the Cent$ible Nutrition Program,” said a Boys and Girls Club participant in Laramie County. “I now know how to grow my own vegetables and cook them in a healthy meal. I am excited to go home and start my own garden with my family.” For Rhonda Evans, director of Kids Kastle daycare in Platte County, the learning experience was one of the biggest reasons she wanted the hoop house at the daycare. She also knew that the hoop house would interest kids in trying more vegetables. “I know that if they (the kids) grow it themselves they are a lot more apt to taste it and eat it than if you buy it in a store and bring it home,” Evans said. “I think it is a good educational tool for them to learn where food comes from, that it takes a lot of work to grow food.” In 2018, CNP and its partners donated over 2,300 pounds of produce to partner agencies and reached over 1,100 people across the state. This summer, CNP is aiming to donate even more produce. Keep an eye out for free fresh produce from these gardens or check with your local CNP educator.
A young gardener checks his plants at Kids Kastle daycare hoop house.