Promoting Client Nutrition in Urban Utah Food Pantries

Food pantry clients are at an increased risk of poor diet quality which can lead to a variety of chronic diseases. Identifying nutrition interventions that help improve the dietary intake of this vulnerable population is important to help improve health outcomes. Utah’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed), also known as Food $ense, partners with many pantries throughout the state to improve healthy food access. This research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a pantry intervention, Thumbs Up for Healthy Choices, to evaluate its impact on food pantry clients’ selection and use of identified healthy foods. In addition to program evaluation, data identifying interest in programs such as Thumbs Up, as well as common barriers that prevent pantry clients from making healthy choices was also collected and analyzed. This research was funded through a Utah State University (USU) Extension mini-grant for$8,500. The findings will be used to guide future SNAP-Ed initiatives that aim to make the healthy choice the easy choice in food pantries. The results will also be used to build the evidence base for the Thumbs Up for Healthy Choices program, which will allow other SNAP-Ed programs throughout the country to adopt and implement this effective program

Create Farm Fresh Food Curriculum

This curriculum focuses on increasing Food Sense participants\u27 use of Utah farmers market. It includes information to successfully implement, and evaluate Create Farm Fresh Food classes. The goal of this set of classes is to increase SNAP participants’ use of local farmers’ markets. Markets are a great place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables that offer better taste and nutritional value than many of those found at traditional grocery stores. With the Double Up Food Bucks, and Fresh Fund incentive programs, shopping at farmers’ markets has even become more economical for our target population

Create Better Health Curriculum

CBH is a comprehensive nutrition curriculum designed to teach adult SNAP-Ed participants how to eat well and be active on a budget. CBH combines nutrition and physical activity recommendations from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Each lesson has three components: a nutrition topic based on the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a physical activity discussion based on USDA recommendations, and a Create recipe demonstration and sample. The components are woven together in eight lessons that are designed to keep participants engaged, while actively learning the skills needed to create a healthier lifestyle

Farmers Feeding Utah: Increasing Healthy Food Access and Supporting Local Agriculture

The need for food assistance increased by 300% among Utah families as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Farmers and ranchers were also adversely impacted by market losses and processing shortages. In response, Farmers Feeding Utah was developed to facilitate access to fresh agricultural produce for families in need

Baby-Led Weaning: An Approach to Introducing Solid Foods to Infants

This fact discusses what baby-led weaning is and strategies to help parents feed their infant using this approach

Buy Produce for Your Neighbor: Supporting Local Agriculture

For Utahns experiencing food insecurity, eating adequate fruits and vegetables may be difficult due to limited access to fresh produce. Buy Produce for Your Neighbor is a healthy food drive that increases the amount of fresh produce in community food pantries and supports local agriculture

Breastfeeding: Tools for Success

Every mother has a unique breastfeeding experience. Breastfeeding is natural, but that does not mean it comes naturally to every mother. The benefits of exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months and supplemental breastfeeding through the second year of life are well documented (Lessen & Kavanagh, 2015). However, there are many barriers that may prevent mothers from breastfeeding, including discomfort or pain, milk supply concerns, or simply not knowing how to breastfeed (Lessen & Kavanagh, 2015; Westerfield et al., 2018). Fortunately, there are a variety of tools that mothers can use to create a successful breastfeeding experience (Dennis et al., 2015; Kaunonen, Hannula, & Tarkka, 2012; Westerfield et al., 2018). This fact sheet will address some common challenges women face and tools to help with breastfeeding success

Breastfeeding or Formula Feeding: A Mother\u27s Choice

Deciding how to feed an infant is a decision that should be made by a mother and her family. The benefits of exclusively breastfeeding an infant for the first six months of life are well established (World Health Organization [WHO], 2017); however, it may not always be feasible or a preferred option. For mothers who cannot or choose not to breastfeed, formula feeding is a great option that can support a healthy and thriving infant. This fact sheet will address common questions about breastfeeding and formula feeding to help mothers make an informed decision on how to feed their infant, whether it is by breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination of the two

Increasing Fiber Intake During Childhood and Adolescence

Fiber is an important part of a healthful diet that provides numerous benefits when adequately consumed. Yet, many individuals do not know what fiber is, let alone how to eat enough. Thus, it is no surprise that fiber has been a dietary concern among children and adolescents for over a decade, with less than 10% of youth meeting recommended fiber intakes (Finn et al., 2019; Kranz et al., 2012; McGill et al., 2015). In this fact sheet, we will discuss what fiber is, along with its health benefits, current recommendations, and strategies for incorporating fiber into your child’s diet

Fluoride: From Birth to Adolescence

This fact sheet discusses the benefits of using fluoride, the most common concerns about fluoride intake in children, and recommendations from birth to adolescence