UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Plan (PA NEP) and the Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Network, administered by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, received approval for a one-year, $8 million program that combines local resources with funds from the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Stamp program. The program will provide useful nutrition and food education to low-income Pennsylvanians of all ages. Currently the network is reviewing proposals for possible funding next year.

The PA NEP is the commonwealth's plan for providing nutrition and food education to adults and children who receive, or are eligible to receive, food stamps. Programs offer a wide range of topics, using different approaches in various settings. In some communities, children attend after-school nutrition programs where they learn basic cooking techniques and age-appropriate nutritional concepts. Elsewhere, users of local food banks learn ways to prepare foods that they receive. In another county, mothers participate in a six-week Super Cupboard Program where they learn how to cook basic but interesting meals.

Started in five counties in 1999, the PA NEP currently serves the nutritional education needs of 25 counties, as more local organizations become aware of available opportunities. In 2000, PA NEP reached an average of 68,700 Pennsylvania families each month.

A management group based in Penn State's department of food science administers PA NEP funding for the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare. Penn State Cooperative Extension conducts 10 projects while 15 private nonprofit organizations conduct programs in seven counties, including Philadelphia.

Project reports indicate that:

• Children participating in PA NEP projects choose fruits and vegetables for snacks more often than nonproject children.
• Diabetic participants in PA NEP-sponsored classes show better control of their condition than nonparticipants.
• Participating senior citizens show increased willingness to adopt a more healthful lifestyle including changes in food and fitness habits.

Summaries of PA NEP projects can be found on the Web at http://nutred.cas.psu.edu/ under the "Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program" button.

A statewide coalition, the Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Network provides support and recommendations to the PA NEP through more than 25 partner organizations and state agencies including the Pennsylvania Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program; the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center; the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank; the Farmers Market Trust; Penn State Cooperative Extension; the Pennsylvania Department of Aging; and the Pennsylvania Department of Education NET Program.

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EDITORS: For more information, contact Dorrie Lisle at 814-863-0020.

Contacts:

Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax