Nutrition and Wellness Task Force The More You Know – Guiding the food insecure client to better food choices

Rates of food insecurity: 1 in 6 Americans; nearly 1 in 5 children What is Food Insecurity?

Low food security (old label=Food insecurity without hunger): reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake. Very low food security (old label=Food insecurity with hunger): Reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake. Questions asked to determine food insecurity

An increase in poverty in recent years has led to an increase in food insecurity on Long Island. Nassau County 7.1% of population is food insecure 116% increase in SNAP enrollment from Suffolk County 7.3% of population is food insecure 168% increase in SNAP enrollment from

Obesity and Food Insecurity What is the link?

Limited access to healthy foods Financial, housing, and employment stresses Inadequate health care Unsafe neighborhoods Cycles of hunger and overeating Those who are food-insecure are especially vulnerable to obesity due to a variety of factors:

Those who have a limited amount of money to spend on food may be more likely to buy cheap, processed, and convenience foods that are HIGH in calories LOW in nutrients

By the Numbers: Children

Consequences in Childhood

Food insecurity is associated with diabetes and hypertension Diabetes and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

c Diabetes Management becomes stressful due to added responsibilities:  Getting food  Managing living expenses  Medications and diabetic supplies Diabetes limited budgets cheaper, high calorie foods weight gain increased susceptibility to illness such as diabetes

 Encourage frozen/canned fruits & vegetables  Encourage smaller portion sizes rather than substitute other foods  Discourage less inexpensive foods such as – sugary drinks, desserts, and encourage more vegetables, fruits, lean protein and dairy  identify local stores where they can be purchased Diabetes – Management Tips

Positive relationship between the stress of trying to access adequate food and high blood pressure High Blood Pressure – (Hypertension)

 Maintain normal weight – weight is directly linked to blood pressure  Less processed foods  Drain canned food, rinse, drain again, rinse again High Blood Pressure Management

 1 in 4 shoppers think eating fruits and vegetables is a chore and don’t know how to prepare them.  Spoilage is a reason that people don’t prepare fresh produce  People view canned food as inferior Shopping for Healthy Items

A Cornell study of food labels show that when people know the calorie and fat content of foods they will choose healthier items. Food Labels

Try to make half your plate fruits and vegetables Making Choices – How Can I make them healthy?

Making Healthier Choices

85 Calories 6.5 ounces 20 Years AgoToday Portion Distortion -Beverages

Bagels 20 Years Ago and Today 140 calories 350 calories 210 more calories

 Tips on using food pantry food - recipes, storage tips  showcasing more “Foods to Encourage” will increase the amount of healthy food people select.  Pair foods together that may be cooked together – rice with beans, pasta with sauce, pasta with vegetables, etc. – How Can You Help?

 “wellness boxes”  Provide signs – prompts that will help people choose healthier items  Snap information available  Educational classes  Screenings  How Can You Help?

Automatic F2E: 1.Fruit & Vegetables – nothing added 2.100% whole grain 3.Unflavored/unsweetened low fat (1%) or skim/non fat milk or yogurt 4.Unsweetened milk substitutes such as soy or almond 5.Protein foods including: eggs, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils 6.Plain water 7.100% juice Foods To Encourage - F2E

Diabetes Wellness Boxes ItemsPer Box# of casesTotal per caseTotal No salt added green beans284$3.50$ No salt added corn142$3.64$ Light peaches142$3.64$ Light mixed fruit242$3.64$ Peanut butter184$2.10$ Tuna484$32.00$2, Oats1192$11.75$2, No sugar added spaghetti sauce1108$12.70$1, Pinto beans142$12.48$ Brown Rice154$14.54$ Milk 1%2167$14.62$2, Whole wheat pasta190$14.68$1, Diced tomatoes151$15.02$ Total$13, Per Box Total$13.082

ideo_dollar.php#.VXn0gHzF-85 Grocery game /foodsavings/page/test-your- shopping-skills foodtracker.usda.gov /foodsavings/page/test-your- shopping-skills