Food -- and nutrition education -- are available in Polk County

"When you live alone," says 77-year-old Mary Ellen Roach, "recipes are too big for one person." Roach gets ideas for cutting recipes from Iowa State University Extension's food and nutrition education program, offered through Polk County's supplemental foods program, a federally funded initiative.

"I look forward to getting new information from them and I like to sample the foods they have. There are always recipes all over the place and new ideas about what foods I eat," Roach said.

A client checks out groceries from Polk County's supplemental foods program.

Gordon Miller, of Polk County Department of Community and Family Services, said that ISU Extension's involvement is an essential part of the program, not only because of the federal requirement to provide nutrition education along with the commodity food items, but because ISU Extension provides high quality service that is backed by research. The educational component is offered through personal interactions with staff or volunteers and through written materials. Information focuses on food safety, storage and nutrition.

"The recipients are women who are pregnant or postpartum, children up to age 6 and adults over age 60 -- who meet income guidelines and reside in the county. They are very much interested in learning and often stop to get samples at the demonstration kitchen. It is not unusual for clients to come and talk -- often to share new ideas they have for using the supplemented food items," Miller said.

The program, one of only a few like it in the United States, provides monthly food packages to clients who choose items within food categories. Commodity foods are pre-packaged, non-perishable items such as canned fruits, vegetables, meats, fruit juices and peanut butter.

Extension and Polk County Department of Community and Family Services provide similar services for older adults in six surrounding counties. In addition, ISU Extension specialists offer education programs at eight apartment complex sites and 18 congregate meal sites in central Iowa.

More Extension Connection stories

* It's win-win: From farm to school

* Manufacturers gain an e-business education

* This challenge benefits team spirit
* Extension's financial training brings housing and families together

* Poll gathers views of rural Iowans

* Students have new pathways to learning

* Did you know Extension did that?

...and justice for all. The Iowa Cooperative Extension Service's programs and policies are consistent with pertinent federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, and disability.

• Visit the ISU Extension homepage
• Send a message:

Stanley R. Johnson, Vice Provost for ISU Extension, vpforext@iastate.edu

Mark Settle, Managing Editor, msettle@iastate.edu

• Questions or comments about this site? Contact Laura Sternweis, Editor, lsternwe@iastate.edu
• Last update: Dec. 28, 2000