Hays County Food Bank Celebrates National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

During the month of March, everyone is encouraged to focus on the importance of making informed food choices, developing sound eating practices, and establishing physical activity habits.

In honor of this, Hays County Food Bank wants to let the community know how they are actively involved in establishing a well-nourished community.

Hays County Food Bank is passionate about nutrition education; it’s a big part of their mission.

The food bank offers several cooking classes each month, hosts food demonstrations at distributions, and offers nutrition education specifically for children and seniors. 

Food Wise Cooking Class

Food-Wise is a nutrition and hands-on cooking class for the whole family.

Families and individuals actively participate and learn the nutrient value of individual fruits and vegetables and how to prepare them.

Fresh, seasonal items are used and lessons are aimed at teaching how to use foods received from the food bank. All ages are welcome!

Kids Cooking Club

This interactive cooking class is just for kids and is through partnerships with the Boy & Girls Club of South Central Texas and the Youth Crisis Respite Center.

Children learn how to prepare and cook a low-cost and healthy meal. Kids are exposed to a variety of nutritious foods with a variety of textures and flavors.

They learn about kitchen safety, knife skills, how to read a recipe, different measuring techniques, and different methods of cooking.

Community Nutrition Engagement Program

This program aims to fight hunger through dietary and nutritional awareness.

In collaboration with local schools and school programs targeting children, the Community Nutrition Engagement Program employs several different teaching tools to enrich the lives of young individuals, their families, and the communities in which they live.

A trained nutrition professional provides a 1-hour program which includes a nutrition lesson geared towards children, an interactive game to help solidify the lesson’s concepts, and a food demonstration and tasting of a healthy, low-cost snack.

Senior Nutrition & Wellness Program

This program specifically targets seniors.

A trained nutrition professional provides a 1-hour program which includes a stretching session, a nutrition lesson geared towards seniors, and a food demonstration and tasting of a healthy, low-cost recipe.

Participants receive their own copy of the recipe for future use. The food bank currently works with senior centers throughout Hays County to offer this program.

Food Demos at Distributions

The food bank’s newest program is the Food Demonstration Program.

The food bank recently decided to showcase their commitment to nutrition by preparing a healthy snack where clients go to pick up their food.

The Nutrition Team utilizes items clients might receive and shows them how easy it can be to eat healthy.

This month, the food bank is making Double Chocolate Zucchini Carrot Muffins and Mango Pineapple Lemonade.

What Else?

Staff and volunteers are also committed to healthy eating, and during National Nutrition Month®, some of them are giving up added sugar.

No cakes, no cookies, no candy, and limited processed foods. Who else wants to join ‘No Sugar March’?

If you have questions about any of the food bank’s Nutrition Programs or would like to get involved, please contact Jessica Cruz at (512) 392-8300 x235 or by email at jcruz@haysfoodbank.org.

Hays County Food Bank is committed to healthy eating. Food is fuel, and it matters what type of fuel our bodies takes in.

The food bank strives to have at least a third of all it’s offerings be fresh fruits and vegetables. A well-balanced meal means hunger can stay away longer.