Keeping People Healthy in Emmet County

MSU Extension's SNAP Education works with Emmet county to improve health and nutrition

A little boy smiling at the camera before taking a bite of his sandwich

Encouraging healthy behaviors helps reduce food and health care costs by helping prevent chronic health conditions and providing safe environments throughout a person’s life span.

MSU Extension’s SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed) programs include, Cooking Matters, Project Fresh, Jump Into Foods and Fitness, Healthy Harvest and Show Me Nutrition. These programs teach Bridge Card eligible adults and children how to:

  • Make the most of their food dollars
  • Develop skills such as menu planning
  • Understand recipes
  • Prepare food and keep it safe

In the Last year MSU Extension SNAP-Ed programs have reached 375 adults and youth in Emmet County

  • 184 youth participated in a multiple session series of nutrition lessons
  • 53 adults and 90 youth in a one-time lesson on healthy lifestyle choices
  • Outreach and recruitment took place at the Children’s Health fair, Project Connect and Little Traverse Band of Odawa Health Fair

This was made possible through the addition of Renee Allen to our staff. Renee comes to MSU Extension with years of experience in Emmet County and a rich background in health and physical activity. Renee began in February and began programming in a few short weeks!

Teaching valuable healthy-eating skills

Adult Programming

Manna Food Project received a Building Healthy Communities grant through Blue Cross/Blue Shield and together with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, Groundworks and MSU Extension were able to hold 6- 1 ½ hour classes at 6 area food pantries (Charlevoix, Boyne City, Mancelona, Ellsworth, Petoskey, and Pellston). During class, a recipe was sampled and then each person in prepared the ingredients to make the Harvest Chili. Participants also received a handout of resources, a set of knives, measuring spoons and a crockpot. We are grateful for the recruitment and involvement with local pantries and leadership Manna Food Project provided. Each class was full (20-25 based on space) and folks are eagerly anticipating similar programming this fall.

Youth Programming

Capture49Partnered with Taylor School for Exceptional Students for presentations at both sites and Pellston elementary k-5 for 6 weekly lessons. Worked with FoodCorps staff and health teacher Lindsay Hall, for two one hour sessions.

For our 3rd year, MSU Extension is serving 2,200 children and families every week in Antrim, Emmet, and Charlevoix counties through a partnership with Manna Food Project. As part of the backpack program, food is distributed for the weekends to children and families. They also receive recipes, resources and information to make a healthier choice an easier choice.

Capture45  Capture46  Capture47  Capture48

MSUE Snap-Ed Success Story

Capture50My first visit to the Taylor School on May 7 was memorable. I was introduced to the class of nine students with cognitive impairments, and Andrew immediately stuck out. Andrew was wearing a Michigan State University shirt, used a wheelchair for mobility and was able to use one of his arms. During my class discovery period, Andrew engaged in the discussion about cooking and nutrition with energy and enthusiasm. At the end of class, I asked Andrew if he would wear his MSU shirt for me again next Monday when we made oatmeal pancakes and talked about the importance of a healthy breakfast and the five food groups. The following Monday, Andrew was sitting in the class sporting his green and white MSU shirt and wearing a big smile. The class had a lively discussion about breakfast and we named food items they ate in the morning that spelled out Breakfast (Break the FAST). 

Next, the entire class participated in the cooking demonstration and mixed up all ingredients. Every person had a meaningful job to do to complete the meal preparation. Andrew dipped the ¼ cup measuring spoon into the batter and poured it into the pan held before him. Another student flipped the pancakes when the dough bubbled up. Andrew had a huge smile on his face when eating the pancake that he had just made.

The students at the Petoskey Taylor School were all very engaged in the cooking demo and nutrition education lesson, and their diverse capabilities were recognized and celebrated!

Renee Allen B.S., M.S

 

Did you find this article useful?