Overview

Population

• According to 2002 census data the population is 531,957, half of Union County's residents are centered in Elizabeth and Plainfield
• Approximately 14% of the households in Union County receive public assistance

Demographics

• The largest minority group is African-American; the second largest is Hispanic.
• According to the May 2000 NJ Department of Human Services, Union County has the fifth largest number of TANF residents in NJ at 8,325.

USDA Food Stamp Participating Families

As of March 2000:

• 27,467 residents of Union County received food stamps, 6% of the statewide total
• 8,752 households in Union County are Food Stamp Program participants

Union County FSNEP Project

There has been a shift in this county from well-paying white collar jobs, to lesser-paying service jobs. The unemployment rate continues to rise. According to the Star Ledger, during 2001, 10,000 white and blue collar workers in Union County were laid off due to downsizing. This situation has left households in Elizabeth and Plainfield and the surrounding municipalities in the position of being unemployed or homeless, receiving minimal benefits in one of the highest cost- of-living areas in the United States. The Union County Department of Human Services estimates that the number of families with children living in poverty in Union County doubled over the past five years.

FSNEP offers nutrition education programming primarily in the cities of Plainfield and Elizabeth, where the number of food stamp recipients is highest and the need for nutrition education is greatest. The program goal is to provide six or more nutrition education classes so that behavior change, such as improved food selection and consumption, will follow.

The county has estimated that 17% of total residents are senior citizens according to the U.S Census 2000, with 2,700 persons depending on senior feeding programs for their main meal each day. The need for nutrition education at senior feeding sites is immense. The Senior Nutrition Program delivered 350,000 meals at 23 congregate sites, and about half were home delivered meals.

In 2001, a new project with Community Access Unlimited(CAU) began providing nutrition education to staff working with disabled and disadvantaged older youth and adults. CAU is the umbrella agency for DYFS, the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, Raphael's Life House, and 15 group homes for disabled older youth and adults.

Nutrition education classes, in conjunction with vegetable gardening, continue in Elizabeth Schools # 1 and # 26 . The FSNEP program has expanded each year since 1998, and now involves teachers and students in twelve of the twenty-seven district schools. The Elizabeth School Food & Nutrition Services Director and the High School Commercial Foods Instructor continue to work with FSNEP staff and vocational students, providing produce and other healthy foods for elementary school children to taste as part of their nutrition education lessons.

The project focuses on the "Take Five" message that promotes eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Project Objectives
  • To promote the FSNEP Project and its statewide mission. To increase food security through nutrition education programs to Food Stamp eligible adults. Food Stamp eligible adults are identified through senior centers, community agencies working with disabled and disadvantaged adults, development centers and other related program centers.
  • To collaborate with municipal and county-wide agencies working with limited resource audiences including; Union County Division on Aging, Community Access Unlimited and the public schools in the city of Elizabeth and Plainfield.
  • To provide nutrition education to food stamp eligible adult and youth audiences throughout Union County.
  • To provide community rotations with Dietetic Interns and Dietetic Technicians who are working toward professional nutrition credentials by teaching nutrition education classes at senior dining sites or by teaching youth within the "Take Five" nutrition education program in the Elizabeth & Plainfield schools.
  • To provide training to staff (food service personnel, teachers and parent liaisons) who communicate regularly and serve the students and families in the Elizabeth & Plainfield School Districts, so they may help improve the nutritional profile in their community.

• Project Activities
  • Collaborate with local, municipal and county-wide agencies to better coordinate food stamp services.
  • Hire new staff and work with dietetic internship programs to contribute to students' professional development and extend County Extension outreach capabilities.
  • Work with the Elizabeth & Plainfield schools to coordinate activities and recruit participants.
  • Deliver nutrition education and food safety programs to food service staff.
  • Provide in-service training to food service personnel, teachers and parent liaisons, focusing on the 5-A-Day message.

• Evaluation

  The evaluation methodology, which is used, includes an overall measurement of the impact of nutrition education with senior, adult and youth populations participating in the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program. The JMP reporting system is used for Pre and Post Tests for youth and the ERS reporting system is used to document Diet Recalls and Behavioral Checklists for adults.

Collaborative Relationships

RCE of Union County
Montclair State University Dietetic Internship
UMDMJ Dietetic Internship
College of St. Elizabeth Dietetic Internship
Middlesex County College Dietetic Technician Program
Union County Division on Aging
Senior Meal Program of Union County
Elizabeth Schools
City of Elizabeth
Plainfield Schools
City of Plainfield
Hillside Schools
Linden Schools
Community Access Unlimited
Community Coordinated Child Care