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About Us
County Impact Statements - Hot Spring County
Family Nutrition Education Program Provides Practical Activity-Based
Education on Nutrition, Food Safety and Resource Management
Tonya, a pregnant teen enrolled in Beta School (an alternative class room for
high school students) was enrolled in FNEP program. After a couple of classes
she began to make comments about her diet. The importance of a well balanced
pre-natal diet for her benefit as well as the developing fetus was stressed.
Tonya learned about the nutrients in foods such as calcium, folate, protein,
vitamin C, as well as fats and sugars. She began to realize that she needs to
plan her daily food intake in order to get all the food groups and nutrients.
Tonya started reading labels, especially looking for folic acid and commented
how important it was for her baby. She said she stopped eating some of the "junk
foods" and was eating more fruits and vegetables and "whole grain" products. She
also stated she was eating more baked foods rather than fried.
Six months later, a follow up at the Health Department revealed that Tonya
had a newborn son. She stated she was preparing recipes obtained in the classes.
Tonya’s mother was also present and commented that Tonya had shared the
information with her. Now she too paid more attention to food labels and food
preparation methods.
The mission of the Family Nutrition Education Program is to teach individuals
and families with limited resources to maximize their food dollars and to
provide a nutritious, safe and secure meal environment. This mission was
accomplished in Hot Spring County by providing free, informal, and easily
accessible educational programs in the home and community. These educational
programs focus on developing knowledge and skills related to basic nutrition and
meal planning; food purchasing, preparation and safety; budgeting and resource
management. Development of the knowledge and skills in these areas enables the
FNEP participant to adopt the necessary behavior changes to achieve a healthier
lifestyle.
Family Nutrition Educational Program Success Story
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Impacts
- Enrolled 186 participants, Graduated 91 participants
- 100% of graduated participants completed twelve lessons
- 30 families enrolled in one or more food assistance programs as a result
of FNEP assistance or recommendation
- 110 families were already participating in one or more food assistance
programs
- Eat well for less curriculum was adjusted to meet needs and interest of
participants as needed. ERIB, Professor Popcorn, Mission Nutrition and
Balancing Act Curriculum were also used when appropriate.
- 100% of the 91 graduates of the FNEP Program reported changes in eating
habits, food safety practices and resource management.
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