The Community Nutrition Education Program:

We provide high-quality food and nutrition lessons tailored to meet the needs of our participants. Classes and educational materials can be provided in English and Spanish. The lessons are based on the principles of My Pyramid, the Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Americans, and the USDA Fight BAC Food Safety Program.

Community Nutrition Educators provide education for community-based agencies and organizations as well as in the homes of participants. We have served agencies and their clients that offer programs for substance abuse, GED classes, low-income housing sites, and senior centers. CNEP also serves youth in schools, daycare centers, after school programs, and the City of Rochester Recreation sites.

The CNEP program is supported in large part by USDA funding from the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program (FSNEP). This program is dedicated to help limited resource audiences make informed decisions, which support their nutritional, physical, and mental health.

Key Objectives...

Food Security and Resource Management/Shopping Behavior - participants will manage their resources more effectively in order to meet their monthly food needs without resorting to emergency food assistance.

Dietary Quality and an Increase in the Amount of Plant Based Foods - participants will improve the nutritional quality of their food choices which includes consuming more whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

Food Safety- participants will adopt safe food handling, preparation and storage of food.

System and Environmental Change- to bring change to the system or environment that makes nutritious diets more available to food stamp households.

Regional efforts include training for community educators and the sharing of resources.

The Eat Smart New York Program (ESNY):

Eat Smart New York (ESNY) is a free program promoting healthy lifestyles and financial fitness. ESNY provides free and confidential services that meet the unique needs of limited income individuals. Participants are empowered to make informed decisions. Healthy diets and lifestyles are encouraged. Financial resources can be reviewed. Participants will learn to: Plan healthy meals, stretch food dollars, read food labels, use the Food Guide Pyramid, control weight for optimal health, exercise safely at any age, use leftovers creatively, and/or store and prepare food safely.

Referrals are made for limited income individuals or families, youth or teen groups, and senior or adult groups. Trained Community Nutrition Educators work with individuals and groups to determine needs and goals. Sessions are conducted at homes, community centers, work sites, or other convenient locations. A series of 8-weekly meetings lasting for 45-minutes to an hour are scheduled for each group.

Call 461-1000 ext. 257 for more information.