How to STRETCH your Grocery Budget! Discovering various ways to maximize nutrition benefits and other food programs. Monday, June 9 Hanover Township Senior Services

Basic Nutrition Choose My Plate

Ten Tips to a Healthy Plate 1. Balance calories 2. Enjoy your food, but eat less 3. Avoid oversized portions 4. Foods to eat more often 5. Make half your plate fruits and veggies

Ten Tips to a Healthy Plate 1. Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk 2. Make half your grains whole grains 3. Foods to eat less often 4. Compare sodium in foods 5. Drink water instead of sugary drinks

Congregate Meal Programs Stars*N*Stripes Café at Hanover Township Senior Services Stars*N*Stripes Café Golden Diners Programs – Salvation Army Golden Diners Programs Home Delivered Meals – Catholic Charities Northwest or other agency

Food Pantries Hanover Township Pantry Residents can go twice per month (every 15 days) Residents can also go on Wednesdays or Fridays every week for bread Some fresh produce in Summertime Self-selection No fee Will need to complete registration form 7431 Astor Ave, Hanover Park, 60133

Other HT Food Programs Mobile Pantries Thanksgiving Meal Box Christmas Meal Box Senior Center programs

Coupons and Others Ideas Read the ads! Clip coupons from newspaper on Sunday No paper? Try calling the company for a sample (i.e. Proctor and Gamble) Coupon booklets/ads in store – Target, Walgreens Coupon websites – Krazy Coupon LadyKrazy Coupon Lady

More Tips and Tricks Cook in large amounts and freeze leftovers You can also freeze milk Buy bulk (grains, frozen vegetables) Shop “in season”

SNAP What is SNAP? Benefits: $15 - $189/month Applied to a plastic debit-like card Benefits calculated using income, housing expenses, and medical expenses Assets NOT included Meant to be used as part of grocery budget, not to replace all of it

SNAP – Ways to Apply At Hanover Township Senior Services – residents can schedule appointment with Caseworker - contact us at Online at In-person at local DHS office

SNAP - Eligibility Over the age of 60 or with a disability ◦Single person: $1,915 ◦Two people: $2,585 ◦Three people: $3,255 Under the age of 60 ◦Single person: $1,245 ◦Two people: $1,681 ◦Three people: $2,116

SNAP – How to use benefits Apply for program Submit all necessary documentation Have a phone or in-person interview Receive approval notice and card in mail Set up PIN number Go to store and use any or all benefit Hold onto card Next month, benefits will automatically renew (they will also carryover) Many stores: Walmart, Target, Aldi, Caputo’s

$15???? Calculator $15 can stretch more than you think Try shopping for store brands or Aldi 16 oz potato soup $.9816 oz baked beans $ oz peas $ oz black beans $ oz green beans $.5215 oz fruit cocktail $ oz carrots $.5216 oz mixed veggies $ oz corn $.508 oz tuna $ oz beets $.484 pack cup of noodle $ oz whole potatoes $.6815 oz beef ravioli $ oz beets $.6225 oz applesauce $ oz mushrooms $.7712 oz muffin mix $.46 4 bananas $1.00TOTAL: $14.96

$15!!!! 1. Stock up on staples 2. Purchase extra fruits and veggies 3. Pick up some extra ingredients to make a treat to share with a friend or family member 4. Add variety of the diet 5. Tackle a tough recipe

SNAP Dos and Don’ts OK - foods to eat – breads, cereals, fruits & veggies, meats, fish, poultry, and dairy. OK - Seeds and plants to produce food NO – beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco NO – pet food, person care items, paper products, vitamins & medicines, foods that can be eaten in store or hot foods

SNAP – Myths debunked Only 1% of cases are fraudulent – system is VERY efficient If you qualify, you will get benefits (there is no cap to who can receive the program) Majority of recipients are children, only 8% are older adults

Recipes: Breakfasts Breakfast meals ◦Oatmeal made with milk and an orange ◦French toast, orange, and a glass of milk ◦Scrambled eggs, glass of milk, and an orange ◦Pancakes – make a batch and can be frozen ◦Milk is a great protein to add to meal – feel full longer ◦Avoid sugary cereals that aren’t nutritious

Recipes: Lunch Stars*N*Stripes Café Turkey Chili with whole grain pasta and a glass of milk Tuna sandwich, pasta salad, glass of milk Chicken salad sandwich, orange, glass or milk Sandwiches, cans of low-sodium soup Some frozen meals on sale

Recipes: Dinner Chicken breast, sweet potato, salad, glass or milk Turkey tacos, orange, glass of milk Spaghetti with turkey meat sauce, glass of milk Hearty soups and stews

Closing Thoughts Questions/Comments?? Any helpful tips/tricks/suggestions to add? Please contact Hanover Township Senior Services at for additional resources or for an appointment