The Better Living for Texans Program

1. The Better Living for Texans Program Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

2. Better Living for Texans Program • Part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed) Funded by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) “designed to facilitate the voluntary adoption of eating and other nutrition-related behaviors conducive to health and well-being for those on a limited budget” Source: USDA – Food and Nutrition Services

3. October 1st, 2013 = 19th birthday for BLT • BLT is making an impact in Texas, including _____ county. Participants are: • reducing out-of-pocket food expenses • changing food safety behaviors • serving more fruits and vegetables and less soda and other “junk” foods to their families

4. The need for BLT Texas continues Estimated one-third of Texans are eligible for the program % of Texans living in poverty ~17% % of Texans who are food insecure ~16% % of eligible Texans who participate in the SNAP-Ed program ~50%

5. YOUR County Poverty Statistics • % of households living in poverty • # of household receiving food stamp benefits • # of schools with at least 50% of students receiving free or reduced meal • Other indicators of poverty in your county (# food pantries, food banks or other emergency food assistance programs)

6. The BLT Program Brings Resources to Our County • $XXXXX in operating and travel (Agent and Assistant, if applicable) • $XXXXX in salaries and benefits of Assistants who are dedicated to this program. These resources are dedicated to reaching limited resource audiences in our county!

7. What Do We Teach in BLT? • Offer programs in the following areas: • Diet quality (prevention of chronic disease) • Food security/food resource management • Food safety in the home • Increasing physical activity

8. There are things that we cannot teach or fund in BLT. • Education as it relates to the treatment of medical conditions • Diabetes • High cholesterol • High blood pressure • Weight loss/obesity treatment • Food safety for retail establishments (FPM) • Life skills training • Debt management • ESL But we can address these issues in other programs!

9. Goals for BLT • Improve diet quality and increase physical activity. • Adopt food resource management skills (meal planning, comparison shopping, or shopping from a list). • Improve food safety practices (proper hand washing, proper storage and thawing of food). • Reduce in out-of-pocket food expenses

10. BLT works with a variety of limited-resource audiences • SNAP-Ed recipients • Individuals receivingTANF or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits • Individuals living at housing authorities

11. BLT works with a variety of limited-resource audiences • Individuals receiving food from a food pantry or soup kitchen • Children in schools where > 50% receive free/reduced meals • Neighborhood where at least 50% of the residents live at 185% of the federal poverty level or below.

12. Audiences not eligible for BLT • Individuals with incomes greater than185% poverty • Individuals who are incarcerated or in an institution • Jails/Detention centers • Prisons • Nursing homes • Mental institutions

13. Implementing BLT • Programs delivered by Agents & Assistants • Agents focus on adults and youth • Assistants focus primarily on adults • Volunteers participate as educators or facilitators • Single education events • 3-lesson series (targeted towards adults) • Back to Basics • 3 Easy Bites • Get the Facts • MyPlate Food Group • Don’t Get Bugged from Foodborne Illness

14. Partnerships are Important to the BLT Program • Partnerships with agencies and non-profit organizations help us expand our outreach • Help us recruit audiences for our programs • Many partners provide space for programs that are convenient to our clientele List local partnerships here.

15. BLT Programming Efforts For XXXXX County • # of group programs delivered: • # direct teaching exposures: • # total educational contacts: Put the numbers for your county here

16. Statewide evaluation of BLT • More than 388,000 direct educational contacts were made in 2010. Participants reported significant progress in food safety, food resource management, and physical activity. • 70% of participants stated that BLT was their first exposure to Texas AgriLife Extension. • On average, participants saved $27.95 in out of pocket food expenses.

17. % Who Shop with a List Some- times Always Most of The time Seldom Never

18. % Who Plan Menus for Meals Seldom Most of The time Never Some- times Always

19. % Who Compare Prices When Grocery Shopping Seldom Most of The time Never Some- times Always

20. BLT helps people save money • Reducing out-of-pocket food expenses • Helping clients stretch their food stamp dollars to the end of the month.

21. BLT helps people prepare and serve safe foods to their families • Average amount of time cooked foods left out fell from 99 minutes to 34 minutes • Handwashing before food preparation rose from 75% before participating in BLT to 91% afterwards. • Participants reported storing and thawing foods properly after attending the program.

22. Participants’ Perceived Ability to Prepare Nutritious Meals Very Good 5 Very Poor 1 Based on a self-assessed rating between 1 and 5

23. Summary • BLT is making a difference in the lives of limited resource audiences in Texas and in _____ county. • Continued partnerships can help expand our outreach so more individuals can benefit from the program.