Overview

As a result of this project, food stamp residents in Warren County will improve their behaviors in the areas of food security, dietary quality, food safety, fitness, and food resource management/shopping, through participation in nutrition education that is behaviorally-focused, learner driven, outcome-based nutrition education. The three major concepts of Aim for Fitness, build a Healthy Base, and Choose Sensibly from the newly revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2000 will be incorporated into the core curriculum.

Population

• Total Population is 102,437
• Per capita income is $30,559 and 6.7% of the population are below poverty level
• Approximately 17% of the residents of Warren County are senior citizens

Demographics

• 94.5% White
• 3.66% Hispanic
• 1.87% African-American

USDA Food Stamp Participating Families

• March 2002 Welfare Department statistics report that Warren County has 1,220 households currently receiving food stamps (1,359 adults and 1,223 children.

Warren County FSNEP Project

Approximately 17% of the residents of Warren County are senior citizens and almost 600 of them depend on senior congregate and home delivered meals for their main meal, and almost 1,500 benefit from senior food programs over the course of the year. Nutrition education is provided on a limited basis at the nutrition sites. The food stamp office reports an increase in the percentage of food stamp participants who have almost no access to nutrition education programs. Nutrition problems plague the low income residents of Warren County including the inability to have food stamps and food budgets last throughout the month; high consumption of low nutrient foods; limited preparation skills and, therefore, a high reliance on convenience foods and fast food restaurants; limited to no breakfast intake; limited knowledge of nutrition and food safety principles; and limited intake of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. In answer to these needs, Warren County has targeted 7 schools in the Phillipsburg School District, including Preschool through the Phillipsburg Alternative Secondary School. Warren county has also targeted the Phillipsburg and Warren Hills School-Based Youth Services with nutrition and food activities, along with Project TEACH. Adults are being targeted through the Warren County Senior Nutrition Program, NORWESCAP Preschool Children's Center, Family Guidance Center of Warren County (Gateway), Domestic Abuse and Rape Crisis Center, and the targeted schools.

Non Duplication

There is no EFNEP programming in Warren County

Project Objectives

• To promote the FSNEP Project and its statewide mission.
• To increase food security through nutrition education programs to Food Stamp eligible adults
• To improve the nutrition education services available to persons eligible to receive food stamps in Warren County.
• Engage food stamp eligible adults and pregnant teens in Phillipsburg and targeted area schools
• Expand adult and youth programming and pilot new initiatives

Project Activities

Youth in schools where 50% or more receive free or reduced lunches are given nutrition education in their classrooms.

• Youth at the two school-based youth services in the county will receive nutrition education through cooking activities.
• Deliver approved, age appropriate nutrition education to adults and seniors.
• Provide in-service training to food service personnel regarding nutrition education and food safety in targeted schools.
• Provide in-service training to parent liaisons , facilitators, and supervisors in targeted schools to allow them to assist families and teachers in learning to improve nutrition practices at home and in the classrooms.
• Food stamp participants are offered nutrition activities at farmers' markets which give them exposure to and familiarity with the cost-savings and advantages of shopping at local farmers markets.
• Provide necessary training to staff/volunteers/dietetic interns who teach nutrition education classes to the targeted populations.

Evaluation

The evaluation methodology which is used includes an overall measurement of the impact of nutrition education amongst the adult and senior population of Food Stamp program participants. The ERS reporting system is used for Pre and Post Diet Recalls and Behavioral Checklists. Only the Behavioral Checklist is used in programs lasting less than 6 weeks. An evaluation report of the project will be submitted for possible publication in a peer reviewed Nutrition and/or Family and Consumer Sciences journal.

Collaborative Relationships

Catholic Charities
Domestic Abuse and Rape Crisis Center
East Stroudsburg University
Montclair State University
New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg
NORWESCAP Preschool Children's Center
NORWESCAP Women, Infants, and Children Supplemental Food Program
Phillipsburg Housing Authority
Phillipsburg School District
RCE of Warren County
State of New Jersey Department of Human Services-Office of Education
Warren County Career and Personal Development Center
Warren County Corrections
Warren County Division of Senior Services
Warren County Family Guidance Center
Warren County Food Stamp Office
Warren County Health Department
Warren County Human Services
Warren County Nutrition Program for the Elderly
Warren County Public Health Nursing Agency
Warren County Welfare Board

Contact

Karen Altomare. RD, Program Associate
Warren County FSNEP
Administration Building, Suite 102
165 County Route 519 South
Phone: (908) 475-6506
Email: altomare@rcre.rutgers.edu