U of MN Extension Works with the Steele County Food Shelf in Owatonna

Steele County Food Shelf statistics continue to increase. In October, they served a record number of 516 families. More and more Owatonna residents are looking for help from the food shelf as they are finding there is very little money left after paying the bills. The Steele County Food Shelf is working with their local Extension office to help the families that they serve with creative cooking and how to stretch their food dollars at the grocery store.

Velerie Johnson, the Nutrition Education Assistant in Steele County says, “I have partnered with the Steele County Food Shelf in efforts to provide nutrition and food resource management education to people with limited resources in the community. During the last year I have offered nutrition education twice a month at the food shelf with lessons such as ‘Bean Basics – How to Cook and Use Beans in a Variety of Recipes’ and ‘Healthier Bodies with Healthier Foods – How to Eat More Fruit and Vegetables’.”

Each month the NEP in Steele county receives food from Channel One food bank in Rochester. Velerie uses this food at the Steele County Food Shelf. “During each lesson I prepare a sample recipe for participants at the food shelf to try while they are waiting. I always have the recipe, tips from the lesson I am teaching, and shopping tips on hand for the participants to take with them. Most of the sample recipes I prepare are made with what the food shelf has on hand. This way the participants are able to use the recipe I gave them and prepare it at home, with the food they received at the food shelf.”

Steele County Food Shelf Director Stormy Trom says, “The Extension education component offers our customers the opportunity to learn about food safety practices and cooking on a budget.”

Cost benefit studies around the United States show that every $1.00 invested in nutrition education results in $2.48 more available household food dollars. And we know the program is working here in Minnesota: of those who studied shopping and resource management last year 70% of the adults and 65% of seniors showed improved behavior change.

The University of Minnesota Extension Nutrition Education Program (NEP) provides nutrition and food resource management classes to people with limited resources. Education is offered across the state at a variety of sites, including food shelves. The NEP (known as the Simply Good Eating program in the metro) provides interactive lessons to groups and individuals, as well as displays, newsletters, and handouts. The NEP includes the Food Stamp Nutrition Education (FSNE) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP), which are funded by USDA and supported by collaborative efforts with many community partners.The NEP is interested in starting new partnerships with food shelves around the state. For more information, go to www.extension.umn.edu/Nutrition, or call your University of Minnesota Extension office and ask to speak to a Nutrition Education Assistant, or call Ross Safford at 651-430-6812.