Nutrition Education

The Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program (WNEP) in Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago Counties

The Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program is a federally funded grant program that collaborates with community, state and federal organizations in the design and implementation of nutrition education programs for low-income and food stamp eligible populations. This program provides outreach in the Tri-county area to include Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties. More specifically, the program will provide education on:

• Research based programs on nutrition and physical activity in accordance with the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid
• Managing food resources, thrifty shopping practices, managing food dollars, all to help families become more food secure
• Food safety education related to safe food handling, preparation and storage
• Programs are available for all age groups
• Programs available in Spanish and Hmong

MISSION: To provide practical, reliable foods and nutrition information for food stamp recipients and their families.

WNEP News

SNAP Gardens: Food Stamps Grow Gardens  - Very little has been done to promote the fact that Food Stamps or SNAP EBT can be used to purchase food-producing plants and seeds ever since…until now!  SNAP Gardens was started in 2011 by New Yorker Daniel Bowman Simon in an attempt to bring to light decades-old legislation: in 1973, an amendment was made to the 1964 Food Stamp Act to allow the purchase of seeds and food-producing plants. While it’s been possible to use food stamps to purchase seeds and plants ever since, it hasn’t happened much, because, as Simon says, “It’s been buried in the fine print.” Simon’s mission has been to raise awareness of this legislation to beneficiaries and administrators of the food stamp program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  (SNAP).  Within the limits of an individual family’s own monthly allotment, food stamps will cover the cost of seeds, sprouts, and small live plants at any facility that is equipped to accept benefits through the EBT payment program.  While medicinal and culinary herbs and almost all fruit and vegetable plants are covered by food stamps, decorative plants, potting soil, and garden accessories are not eligible. The seeds and live plants selected will be automatically charged, tax-free, to your EBT card.  For more information, visit http://www.snapgardens.org 

2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans — Washington, January 31, 2011 — US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced the release of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the federal government’s evidence-based nutritional guidance to promote health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity.  Because more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, the 7th edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans places stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity…. (full press release)

Eat Smart and Move More  — Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program educators are teaching ways to balance their food intake with physical activity in the months of January and February. Participants at St. Joseph’s Food Pantry, Menasha, and the Salvation Army, Appleton, will learn how to utilize the food they receive from the pantry to prepare nutritious meals and to balance caloric intake with physical activity. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate activity most days to reduce the risk of chronic disease and 60 minutes of moderate/intense activity to manage body weight and to prevent weight gain.

• SNAP Gardens: Food Stamps Grow Gardens
  Food Stamps or SNAP EBT can be used to purchase food-producing plants and seeds ever since 1973…a little publicized fact until now!
• MyPlate.gov replaces Food Pyramid
  MyPlate.gov has replaced the Food Pyramid as a simpler and more visual icon to help individuals and families decide on  healthier meal choices.  It features selected messages to focus consumers on key behaviors. Messages include: Enjoy your food, but eat less. Avoid oversized portions. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Switch to fat-free or low-fat […]
• USDA’s Database has been Updated with Nutrition Information
  USDA’s database has been updated with nutrition information on more than 7,500 food items.  This is a great resource for WNEP educators and consumers on the nutritional content of food.   The 2009 updates include vitamin D values for fish, and for foods fortified with vitamin D such as milk, orange juice, cereals, margarine and yogurt.  […]

Deliciously Healthy Eating – USDA Website

Links of Interest

STAFF

If you have any questions regarding WNEP in Outagamie County, please contact:

Paula Hella, Nutrition Education Coordinator
Calumet, Outagamie & Winnebago Counties
Outagamie County – UW Extension
3365 W. Brewster St.
Appleton, WI 54914
Phone: 920-832-5121
Wisconsin Relay: 711
Fax: 920-832-4783
Email: paula.hella@ces.uwex.edu

 Mikayla Metten, Nutrition Eductor
Calumet, Outagamie & Winnebago Counties
Outagamie County – UW Extension
3365 W. Brewster St.
Appleton, WI 54914
Phone: 920-832-5121
Wisconsin Relay: 711
Fax: 920-832-4783
Email: mikayla metten@ces.uwex.edu