April 17, 2012

Nick Claussen the Community Relations Coordinator from the Department of Athens County Jobs and Family Services came to talk to us today about SNAP. He was a very interesting man, really laid back. It is funded by the federal government and monitored to make sure no errors and watching the people who get the benefits. It uses statistical reports to help monitor the program. It is a food assistance program that is designed to raise nutritional levels, to expand buying power and to safeguard the health and well-being of individuals in low-income households in Ohio. SNAP is commonly known to give food stamps but the Athens County Jobs and Family Services gives out a debt card to people who qualify. In order to qualify for food assistance benefits your household's gross monthly income is at or under 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. Some households may qualify if they have income over the limit if someone in the household is elderly or disabled. If the household's income is under the limit or if the limit does not apply, they review the households expenses to determine the monthly benefit amount. They also look at the number of people in your household who purchase and prepare food together. To apply for go online and fill out an application or you can apply in the office. SNAP helps individuals meet up to 75% of that household's needs and helps support their monthly food budget. However it does not cover pet food, alcohol, and tobacco. Alot of the times families run out of money before the end of the month and therefore have to go a local food shelter. The role of the nutrition professional is to remain knowledgeable and help with SNAP benefits. After Nick talked we watched a movie called Farm to School. This was a really interesting video about how grade schools are trying to serve more fruit and vegetables. This is amazing to me and hopefully all schools will be able to have this program and make children's lunches more nutritious.

April 19, 2012

Today in class we sat in circle and discussed our Agency project's we had to do. It was really cool to hear about the different programs and how they are helping people in need. My agency was called People's Garden. The USDA set up this garden outside where workers of the USDA were able to plant and grow anything they wanted. Now it has spread through the country and they are alot of people's garden where it brings people from the community together and helps supply fruits and vegetables to them. The main idea to start the garden came from Abraham Lincoln which I thought was really amazing.  Everyone discussed their handouts that they made.