In the News

Fresno County: Children Following Mom’s “Food-Steps”

The Issue:  
Parlier, California is a Federal Rural Renewal Community that allows revitalization of neighborhoods and businesses using Federal tax incentives.  A new housing project, Quail Run Apartments, allows affordable residency.  EFNEP is a health partner, offering nutrition education classes to help strengthen individuals with positive health changes; thereby creates a more resilient community.
Quick quips from teachers: “The kids learned about worms and ate spinach!!!”… “When told it was the last lesson, the children said ‘NO!’ One child said, ‘She (Nelly) needs to teach us.’ They really were into the Food Pyramid and which foods belong to which groups.” 
 
What EFNEP Has Done: 
It is summer, and for six Tuesday afternoons at Quail Run Apartments, 20 (Latino) youngsters plant radish seeds, make compost complete with earthworms, and learn to eat more fruits and vegetables as snacks as well as with meals.  Fresno County EFNEP youth educator, Nelly Carrillo-Carlos teaches these children Nutrition to Grow On.
Then on Wednesdays, it is “Mom’s afternoon out” as Nelly delivers 8 weeks of Eating Smart Being Active lessons to Quail Run Moms. They learn to make lifestyle changes to benefit their personal well-being, how to be good role models for their children, prepare new recipes, and taste new foods. 

The Pay Off:
There have been dramatic changes in the way Quail Run Moms think; more than half now read nutrition labels, make healthier choices, and prepare foods without adding salt.  One young mother, Miriam, became especially inspired and told EFNEP: “I began to eat better, add more fruit and veggies, cut out most of my snack foods (chips, cookies, soda). So far I have lost 20 pounds in 1 month and I’ve only just begun!”