ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, July 26, 1996 TAG: 9607260047
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
MEMO: shorter in metro
THE GOAL is to help poor people learn how to get the most nutrition for the money.
The types of foods that can be purchased with government food stamps are nearly limitless. Pretty much whatever's edible is eligible.
So how can agencies that administer food stamp programs ensure that clients are using the coupons to buy Brussels sprouts rather than potato chips?
"Smart Choices."
The program - administered by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service at Virginia Tech - was launched this month in 36 localities, including Roanoke, Bedford, Botetourt, Franklin and Montgomery counties, Roanoke, Radford and Bedford. The program is designed to educate food-stamp recipients about the value of healthful eating.
"Many low-income families do tend to buy foods that they view as cheaper but are sometimes high in salt and fat," said Ruby Cox, "Smart Choices" state coordinator. "They are certainly like the average person who could buy a whole lot healthier foods than they do.
"But because of the low amount of money they have for food, they have to do the very best that can be done in order to meet their nutritional needs."
The program, which is free to any food-stamp recipient, is funded by a USDA nutrition education grant. The $710,000 grant had to be matched by the extension service with an equal amount in resources, such as office space and phone charges.
Thirty-nine program assistants have been hired to administer the program in the 36 localities. Working through social service agencies, church organizations and senior-citizens groups, program assistants have spent much of their first month just trying to get the word out about the program.
"Initially it's mostly marketing," said Priscilla Woodmansee, the "Smart Choices" program assistant for Botetourt County. "Whether it's an optional program or mandatory, you have to let people know you exist."
Woodmansee enrolled her first client last week, a woman who was concerned that she was not eating as well as she should. Woodmansee said next week she will interview 30 League of Older Americans "senior companions" - senior-citizen volunteers who work one-on-one with the elderly in private homes, nursing homes and adult care centers.
Program assistants' work will include teaching basic nutrition lessons, showing clients how to buy good foods and plan healthful meals on a budget. Once a month, they will go into grocery stores to conduct "mini-tours" on healthful food for food-stamp recipients. The grocery store visits will coincide with localities' distribution of food stamp coupons, usually at the end or beginning of the month.
"The bottom line with the program is meeting clients where they are and providing individualized instruction," Cox said. "We realize we have to reach our clients by whatever methods work. That's the only thing that's going to work as far as helping to reach clientele."
For more information on "Smart Choices," call (540)231-7156.
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB