Nutrition program offered at senior center

Nutrition educator Beth Chapell of the USDA Subsequent Nutrition Program from the University of Wyoming Extension hosted the first of eight classes offered free of charge to the public on proper nutrition at the Moorcroft Senior Center last Thursday.

“I was invited over here and it was exciting; I’ve been trying to get into Crook and Weston Counties and this was a wonderful way to start off,” Chapell said.

In this first session, Chapell covered an introduction to the program, what part the USDA plays in people’s food, basic nutrition, the five food groups as well as appropriate ratio and portion sizes.

The second class was held the following Thursday and the group cooked a meal together, as they will throughout the remainder of the program. The lessons will be held every week until the conclusion.

This series is a SNAP training program, meaning, according to Chapell, people must qualify financially to receive the course free. The program has been offered for more than 20 years with periodic refreshing of the information and the course is offered in every county in Wyoming with training for both adults and children. With a new curriculum starting this year, Chapell is excited about the new classes.

If interested in joining this activity or any of the others provided by the local senior center, please call 756-9550 for more information.