Trying to eat better on a budget?
Penn State Extension is partnering with Bradford Salvation Army and YWCA Bradford to bring the Super Cupboard program to local folks looking to save money while feeding their families more nutritious meals.
Free to attend, the program offers information on meal planning, healthy options at the grocery store and food safety, among other topics.
It will be held from noon to 2 p.m. each Monday in April at the Bradford Salvation Army and from 1 to 2 p.m. each Thursday from April 7 to May 7 at the YWCA. Participants are encouraged to attend all classes held at either location.
The classes will be informational as well as hands-on, involving meal preparation with educators as well as recipes and ingredients for participants to take home and try on their own, according to Penn State Extension Nutrition Education Adviser Laurie Maletto.
Maletto said the Salvation Army and YWCA will provide food, while Penn State Extension will provide the information.
She said on Thursday afternoon the program is so useful because it gives people the tools to improve their eating habits, while saving money and reducing food waste.
“It’s important because of the obesity rate and health concerns of young and old in the communities,” Maletto said. “We want to promote healthy eating, promote the fact that good food choices can help stretch food dollars.
“We hope to show there are ways to utilize what (food) you have and eat healthy at the same time. Junk food is cheap and easy, but there are better options,” she continued. “We provide information so people of low income can utilize their SNAP benefits more wisely, make better food choices, be healthier and take better care of themselves.”
Maletto said the knowledge and tools acquired through the class help participants learn meal planning and buy the better ingredients. The program uses the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program.
As Super Cupboard participants work and learn together, they may develop new support networks that continue after the program ends, according to Maletto. She said, “Empowerment occurs when participants realize that they can help themselves and each other.”
She said this is the first time the program is coming back to McKean County after a 12 to 15 year hiatus.
“It has been a long time, and now this is an awesome opportunity with the agencies already serving the families through the food banks can offer some education as well, not have as much waste or expense,” Maletto stated.
Super Cupboard is a partnership of community-based organizations and Penn State Extension coming together to help families who are at risk because of poverty and food insecurity. Penn State Extension, the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Association of Regional Food Banks, county health departments and social organizations have combined efforts to address the food security needs of their communities through Super Cupboard programs.
