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Improve the Nation's Nutrition and Health
Arizona Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program
Impact Nugget
Arizona Cooperative Extension, in partnership with other agencies in
the Arizona Nutrition Network, provides nutrition and health education
for food stamp-eligible families; in 2004 Cooperative Extension faculty
and volunteers in the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program directly
contacted 13,126 persons in community events, 12,562 children in schools,
and 13,377 adults and seniors, and in one county, 30 students walked
180 miles in 3 weeks as a result of one program.
Issue
Families eligible for food stamps often need help receiving food stamps,
getting referrals to social service agencies, and planning meals and
eating healthy foods within limited budgets. Less than a quarter of
those eligible for food stamps actually receive them.
What has been done?
Arizona Cooperative Extension faculty, in partnership with local social
service agencies, county health departments, and other community organizations
in the Arizona Nutrition Network, teach a variety of programs to food
stamp-eligible families throughout the state. The social marketing campaign
provides consistent messages on three themes: “Add physical activity
to your day”; “go low–drink 1% milk or lower”;
and “Eat 5 A Day” to increase fruits and vegetable consumption.
Other topics include healthy eating based upon the dietary guidelines
and the food guide pyramid, increasing calcium consumption, increasing
physical activity, food safety, and eating for disease prevention. Local
staff and volunteers distribute educational materials through classes,
workshops, health fairs, after school programs, parents’ groups,
community and wellness centers, food banks and other venues.
Impact
In 2004, Cooperative Extension faculty and volunteers in the Food Stamp
Nutrition Education Program directly contacted 13,126 persons in community
events, 12,562 children in schools, and 13,377 adults and seniors. The
total number of direct contacts for the Arizona Nutrition Network were
582,608. And, Extension’s indirect contacts through newsletters,
radio and television, as part of the social marketing campaign reached
4,894,931 in Arizona. In one county, 30 students walked 180 miles in
3 weeks as a result of one program. In another county 45 adults received
their food handler card through food safety training; post evaluation
at three workshops showed increased knowledge of hidden fats in foods
and the importance of reading labels and understanding portion size.
Funding
USDA
Department of Economic Security
Arizona Nutrition Network
Cooperative Extension faculty and staff salary match
In-kind support through personnel, facilities, equipment, supplies,
and co-sponsoring events
Contact
Scottie Misner, PhD, RD
State EFNEP/FSNEP Coordinator
The University of Arizona
Nutritional Sciences
309 Shantz, P.O.Box 210038
Tucson, AZ 85721-0038
Tel: 520-621-7123 FAX:520-621-9446
E-mail: misner@ag.arizona.edu
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