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Family Nutrition Program
Family Nutrition Program
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
Jill Colvin
Extension Program Assistant
Family Nutrition Program
What is the Family Nutrition Program?
Ohio State University Extension's Family Nutrition Program (FNP) is funded by Midwest Region Food and Nutrition Service, United States Dept. of Agriculture. The FNP is a joint partnership between the Ohio Dept. of Human Services and Ohio State University in an effort to improve the level of nutrition education of families and individuals with an emphasis on serving the rural poor. FNP began in Ohio in the fall of 1991 (FY-93) in 12 rural counties. It expanded in FY 04 to include 23 rural counties, in FY 95 to include 43 rural counties, and currently in FY 08, there are 70 counties.
The Ohio State University Extension Family Nutrition Program targets low-income audiences and food stamp recipients in Greene County by providing nutritional education in:
Nutriton...
Use of the MyPyramid; a guide to daily food choices, as set by the United States Department
of Agriculture.
Meal Planning...
Balanced menu and recipe planning for low-cost meals that meet the requirements outlined in the
MyPyramid.
Food Safety...
Appropriate preparation and storage of foods to prevent food-borne illnesses.
Money Management...
Getting the most value from dollars spent by planning spending, developing shopping skills, and
being smarter consumers.
Shopping...
Budgeting tips for the better management of food dollars so an individual may make informed
decisions on time, effort, and money.
How are Programs Delivered?
The delivery of educational programs at the county level is done by the FNP Program Assistant. FNP targets food stamp program participants and those eligible for food stamps; disseminates educational information through public service announcements, basic food and nutrition demonstrations, newsletters, fact sheets, individual consultations, and group educational sessions with displays and video tapes, and uses curriculum materials selected for the audience's unique diversity. Class time can be from 20 to 120 minutes. The lessons can be a single one or taught in a series of three.
How Can I Participate in the Family Nutrition Program?
You may contact your local Extension office for a listing of programs and classes being offered in your county. All programs are offered to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis.
Community Partners
The success of FNP involves a partnership with local agencies and organizations whose outreach includes food stamp participants and eligible nonparticipants. Partners with Greene County include:
Jobs & Family Services GreeneWorks
American Red Cross Emergency Shelter Community Action Partnership Congregate Meal Sites
Women Infant Child (WIC) Head Start
Harding Place Women's Recovery Center
John Sales Manor in Xenia Yellow Springs Senior Center
Hawthorne Apartments in Fairborn Cedarville Senior Center
Beavercreek Senior Center Fairborn Senior Apartments
Wright Place
More Helpful Information for You
FNP Programs Available
Focus
Use My Pyramid to select a variety of foods for the family
MyPyramid and food shopping
Use the Nutrition Facts on the food label to make food choices
MyPyramid
Eat at least two cups of vegetables each day
MyPyramid
Eat at least one and one-half cups of fruits each day
MyPyramid
Be physically active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week
MyPyramid
Wash hands with soap and water before preparing food
Food safety
Use a thermometer to check if foods were fully cooked
Food safety
Wash knives and cutting surfaces with hot, soapy water after preparing meat
Food safety
Do not leave meat or leftovers like a casserole at room temperature for more than two hours
Food safety
Shop with a grocery list
Food shopping
Reduce frequency of running out of food before the end of the month
Food shopping
Plan meals ahead of time
Food shopping
Compare prices before buying food
Food shopping
Choose or prepare foods with less salt
Sodium
Helpful Links:
Ohioline - Ohio State University Information
MyPyramid
5-A-Day
American Dietetic Association
USDA Food & Nutrition Information Center
Food & Drug Administration
Healthfinder - Consumer Health Information
Net Wellness - Consumer Health Information
National Safety Council
Action for Healthy Kids
