Community Nutrition and Health Education

The goal of SNAP-Ed is to “improve the likelihood that persons eligible for the SNAP/Food Supplemental Program will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate.” Individuals with skills in nutrition, cooking, food budgeting and food safety help enhance healthy food selections for themselves and their families, thus improving quality of life, stretching limited resources, moving towards self-sufficiency, and reducing risks of developing cardiovascular diseases.

CLASSES

The Southeast Texas Food Bank SNAP-Ed program offers classes for socioeconomic disadvantaged residents of Southeast Texas. Our classes revolve around the USDA MyPlate and Healthy Guidelines for Americans. Participants can attend classes or food demonstrations at various sites throughout the counties within the Southeast Texas Food Bank’s service territory (Jefferson, Orange, Hardin, Jasper, Newton, Sabine, Tyler, and Polk).

Nutrition Department Services:

Mission Statement: Helping fight hunger and food insecurity in Southeast Texas through nutrition education that improves encounters with food.

The Nutrition Department of Southeast Texas Food Bank provides many services to our community:

Nutrition Education classes with our Nutritionist for those who are low income (at community centers, churches, apartment sites, agency partners, etc.)
Healthy Cooking Demonstrations and tastings
School Assemblies for all ages
Diabetic Healthy Food Boxes with Diabetic-friendly food and free Diabetic Nutrition Workshops*
Nutrition-oriented Speaking Engagements
Healthy Kids classes (including after-school programs and summer feeding programs)
Healthy Senior Nutrition classes with our Nutritionist that include cooking demos for the low income senior, tastings, and even physical activity catered to seniors

We have a passion for making Southeast Texas a healthier place!

We request that applications be turned in 30 days BEFORE the event.

To fill out Nutrition Event Application, scroll down.

For more information, contact Somi or Rachel at 409.839.8777

*For more information about our Diabetic Program, click here.

Our Nutrition Staff:

Somi Muthuraju is a graduate of Lamar University with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. Her passion is to teach nutrition as a preventive lifestyle. She loves working with kids and animals. Her favorite healthy dish is a Salmon Sandwich.

Nancy Hicks is from Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Due to being a hypoglycemic for 39 years, she has a passion for teaching diabetic education. She loves refinishing old furniture and creating healthy snacks. Her favorite healthy dish is Cacao Fudge with blueberries.

Nutrition Event Application

Name of Organization*
Name of Contact*
Phone*
Email*
Name of Event*
Short Description of Event*
Targeted Audience*
- Low/no income
- Seniors
- Parents ages 18-59
- Kids ages 5-17
- Expecting mothers
Will this be a recurring event?*
If Yes, how often?*
How many people are you expecting?*
Where will presentation take place?*
Will you require a cooking demonstration?*
Are there electric outlets available?
Do you have a projector, cart, screen, and voice amplification?
Dates desired (please list a few different options to increase your chances of getting scheduled):*
Disclaimer*
Please note that the Southeast Texas Food Bank is here to serve the low to no income people of Jefferson, Hardin, Newton, Jasper, Tyler, Polk, Orange, and Sabine counties. It is our state mandate to cater to this population, but we take all applications into consideration. The contact coordinator is responsible for getting the estimated amount of people to the event. All events require a minimum of five participants. Please fill out, scan, and email to smuthuraju@setxfoodbank.org or fax to (409) 813-8474. We request all applications be turned in at least 30 days BEFORE the event.
Name*
First Last
Date*
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Name
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WELLNESS AND RECIPES:

Standard USDA Statement of Non-Discrimination

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race,color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.