Healthy Eating

Maine SNAP-Ed is a program designed to help Maine SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps) eligible residents learn how to shop, prepare, cook, and eat healthy food on a budget.

How it Works:

Through the Maine SNAP-Ed Program, Healthy Oxford Hills offers fun and free classes, workshops and resources for all ages across Oxford County. We provide participants with real tips and tricks that can help you stretch your food budget and feed your family healthier options. All sessions are free and offered throughout the week.

How to Participate:

Adults – We offer different adult and family programs, including free cooking and nutrition classes through the following programs:

  • Cooking Matters: Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters™ is a program that runs for 6 weeks. In each 2 hour class, you will learn how to prepare healthy and low cost meals. Each lesson focuses on in hands-on meal preparation, easy to use nutrition tips and food budgeting skills. You or your family will receive a bag of groceries each week so that you can make the recipes at home.
  • Cooking Matters at the Store Pop-up Tour: You will learn shopping tips, how to read labels, and compare pricing to learn how to buy healthy foods on a budget. You will get a $10 gift card and we’ll give you a “healthy challenge” after the store tour.
  • 10 Tips: This is a series of 4 classes that are based on either “Choose MyPlate” or “Eating Better on a Budget.” You’ll learn simple, easy to follow tips from the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Sessions are taught in four 1-hour sessions or two 2-hour sessions. There will be a food demonstration and tasting during each session.

Contact us to find out more or sign up for our next class! All are welcome to join our classes that are open to the public or you can contact us about scheduling a class for your group or organization.

Schools – Fun and educational programs are available for children in schools.

  • Eat Well Play Hard (preschool): This program is a series of 6 to 8 lessons designed to teach young children about healthy eating and the importance of regular physical activity. Lessons include nutrition activities, food samples for children, and resources for parents or caregivers.
  • Pick A Better Snack (PABS) Program (K–3rdgrade): The PABS program is 6 to 8 monthly lessons that focus on helping children eat more fruits and vegetables. Each lesson includes a nutrition lesson and a food tasting of fruits or vegetables.
Who is Eligible for Maine SNAP-Ed?
  • People receiving SNAP (food stamp) benefits and those who are eligible for SNAP benefits based on income qualifications. Not sure if you are eligible? (click below to find out)https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility
  • People receiving WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children) benefits
  • People who receive other federal assistance programs based on income, such as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
  • Children in schools where 50% or more of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch
  • Locations such as food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, public housing, SNAP/TANF job readiness program sites, and other such sites automatically qualify
Where can I learn more?

You can learn more about healthy lifestyle choices and eating healthy on a budget through the SNAP-Ed Connection site: https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/

View our 2018 Annual Report and learn more about what we are doing here:  https://www.mainesnap-ed.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/MaineSNAPEd-2018AnnualReport-WEB.pdf

The USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides the funding for SNAP-Ed, which is administered by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and implemented by the University of New England (UNE).

Cooking Matters is a national program of Share Our Strength. In Maine, Cooking Matters is implemented through a partnership between the Good Shepherd Food Bank and Maine SNAP-Ed. Additional local support for Cooking Matters comes from Hannaford Supermarkets.

Contacts:

Community Nutrition Educator/SNAP-Ed:
207-744-6197

 

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: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Maine SNAP-Ed is funded by the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which is administered by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and implemented statewide by the University of New England (UNE) through contracts with local community organizations. Maine SNAP-Ed educates low-income families on low-cost healthy eating and active lifestyles. Contact mainesnap-ed@une.edu or 207-221-4560 for more information.