February 4, 2005

Safe Food for the Hungry 2005 focuses on client choice

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University is teaming up with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to present "Safe Food for the Hungry 2005," a videoconference developed with food pantries in mind.

One in 10 Americans needs food assistance annually, according to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, and many of them get that assistance through local food pantries.

"Safe Food for the Hungry 2005" is a 90-minute videoconference that features the "hows and whys" of client choice. The videoconference is slated for Feb. 22 from 10:30 to noon at locations throughout the state. The event is free, but those interested in attending must register by Feb. 15.

This year's conference focuses on client choice, or giving clients the ability to pick out their own food.

Angela Myracle, a research assistant at Purdue, said, "At pantries where food is still prebagged, clients often receive things they can't use, don't need or things their family doesn't like. Client choice is really centered around individual choice just as if they were in a grocery store.

"When we visited food pantries that use client choice, they said their clients were very happy with the switch and that their volunteers actually enjoy it. The clients are able to get items based on what they need for meal preparation and make healthier choices. For volunteers there's less prep time, just restocking the shelves."

The videoconference is geared toward food bank and food pantry directors, staff and volunteers. The event also will appeal to county, state and local health officials who work with emergency feeding programs, Myracle said.

Viewing sites are:

• Allen County - Purdue Extension office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

• Clinton County - Purdue Extension office, 1111 S. Jackson St., Frankfort.

• Delaware County - Ivy Tech State College, Room 532, North Instructional Center, 4301 South Cowan Road, Muncie.

• Lake County - Purdue Extension office, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point.

• Marion County - Purdue Extension office, 6640 Intech Blvd., Indianapolis.

• Tippecanoe County - Purdue University, Stewart Center, Room G-52, West Lafayette.

• Vanderburgh County - 4-H Center, 201 East Booneville-New Harmony Road, Evansville.

To register for "Safe Food for the Hungry 2005" go online and click on the videoconference 2005 button or call (888) EXT-INFO. Multiple participants from each organization are welcome to attend, but should register separately.

Writer: Kay Hagen, (765) 494-6682, kjh@purdue.edu

Source: Angela Myracle, (765) 494-8186, amyracle@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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