CHOICES

CHOICES is a nutrition education program that helps individuals and families make smart choices at mealtime. The classes help people eligible for SNAP (food stamps) will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose active lifestyles.  All classes are FREE and open to qualified individuals. Each class is one to one and a half hours long. Contact CHOICES to host a class or receive more information.

Class Topics

Basic Nutrition
A four-week series (one class per week) to teach participants basic nutrition based on the MyPyramid. This class will teach participants about the health benefits of each food group, healthy choices among the food groups, and how to classify foods into appropriate food groups.

Nutrition & Health
A four-week series (one class per week) that teaches participants how to reduce the risk or delay the onset of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity.

Planning Healthy, Thrifty Meals
A four-week series (one class per week) to teach your clients basic nutrition guidelines based on My­Pyramid, how to create a budget, how to shop wisely using food labels and unit price, and how to plan healthy meals on a limited budget.

Cooking for Your Life
A four- to six-week series (one hands-on class per week) that trains participants how to cook healthy foods, modify recipes and about basic kitchen safety.  This class teaches participants how to cook using whole grains, soy, fruits and vegetables, and vegetarian entrées.

Cooking Demonstrations
Nutrition educators will come to your food pantry and show your clients healthy ways to prepare fresh produce or other foods they receive at your site.  Clients will sample these recipes and have the opportunity to ask questions of nutrition experts.  Nutrition educators will also provide them with various materials, including recipes, basic nutrition and food safety information. 

Eat Smart, Live Strong
A four-week series (one class per week) to teach participants age 60 and older the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables daily, and of being physically active daily.  This series will teach participants different ways to be physically active and ways to save money on fruits and vegetables.

Power of Choice
A four- to ten-week series (one class per week) that teaches children basic nutrition, how to make healthy eating and fitness choices, and how to make healthy snacks.

Kids in the Kitchen
A seven- to eight week series (one hands-on class per week) that teaches children and youth basic nutrition based on MyPyramid. This series teaches children and youth how to prepare simple, healthy dishes and snack foods for themselves and for their families. Other topics covered include basic cooking skills and food safety.  

Host a CHOICES class

Agencies and schools serving SNAP eligible clients can host a CHOICES class free of charge at their site. Learn more.

To sign up for classes, or for more information, call Monica Escobar, Nutrition Education Manager, at (512) 684-2502 or email choices@austinfoodbank.org.

Sponsor CHOICES

If you are interested in sponsoring this or another CAFB program, please fill out the form below.