Cent$ible Nutrition News Helping Families Eat Better for Less
June/July 2019
Food Pantries Focus on Health The Cent$ible Nutrition Program (CNP) has partnered with local food pantries across the state for many years. In the last year, CNP has begun working on a project with local food pantries to help increase access to healthy, safe food through the Healthy Food Pantry Project. Some changes pantries are adopting include: posting signs to indicate healthier choices, ensuring safe refrigerator and freezer temperatures, and expanding healthy foods options. Over the last few months, several food pantries across the state have implemented these changes and more. The food pantries in Afton and Thayne worked with CNP to begin offering more fresh produce, milk, and eggs after receiving refrigerators at the pantries. “Since the Thayne Community Food Bank started offering fresh produce items, it’s been easier for us to eat healthier,” two patrons said. In Casper, CNP worked with the Salvation Army to provide locally grown fresh vegetables donated from community gardens. “The produce that is being donated is absolutely incredible,” the Natrona County Salvation Army Social Services director said. “Our clients love that they are able to take fresh things, like zucchini and squash and green beans, and things that have come out of the gardens grown here.” Food pantries can be a valuable source of food when money or SNAP benefits run out. At your food pantry, try to select and ask for healthy foods. Some tips for healthier selections are to choose: • Beans and vegetables canned with no sodium or low sodium • Fruit canned in juice rather than syrup or sugar • Whole grains, like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and oatmeal • Low-fat dairy, including fresh milk, shelf-stable milk, cheese, and yogurt Working with CNP can help to improve the food choices for you and your family. Look for CNP recipe cards, class schedules, signage, and information on feeding your family for less at your local food pantry.
Volume 22 • Number 5
Tropical Morning Treat Ingredients • • • •
2 1 1 1
Tablespoons orange juice apple orange banana
Directions
1. Place orange juice in a bowl. 2. Wash fruit. Cut apple, remove seeds, and dice. 3. Peel orange and cut into pieces. 4. Peel and slice banana. 5. Toss all fruit with orange juice. Chill or serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings. Cent$ible Nutrition Program Cookbook, page 142