How to STRETCH your Grocery Budget! Discovering various ways to maximize nutrition benefits and other food programs. Monday, June 9 Hanover Township Senior.

How to STRETCH your Grocery Budget!

Discovering various ways to maximize nutrition benefits and other food programs.

Monday, June 9Hanover Township Senior Services

Basic Nutrition

Choose My Plate

Ten Tips to a Healthy Plate

1. Balance calories2. Enjoy your food, but eat less3. Avoid oversized portions4. Foods to eat more often5. Make half your plate fruits and veggies

Ten Tips to a Healthy Plate

1. Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk2. Make half your grains whole grains3. Foods to eat less often4. Compare sodium in foods5. Drink water instead of sugary drinks

Congregate Meal Programs

Stars*N*Stripes Café at Hanover Township Senior Services

Golden Diners Programs – Salvation Army

Home Delivered Meals – Catholic Charities Northwest or other agency

Food Pantries

Hanover Township Pantry630-540-9085Residents can go twice per month (every 15 days)Residents can also go on Wednesdays or Fridays

every week for breadSome fresh produce in SummertimeSelf-selectionNo feeWill need to complete registration form7431 Astor Ave, Hanover Park, 60133

Other HT Food Programs

Mobile Pantries

Thanksgiving Meal Box

Christmas Meal Box

Senior Center programs

Coupons and Others Ideas

Read the ads!Clip coupons from newspaper on SundayNo paper? Try calling the company for a

sample (i.e. Proctor and Gamble)Coupon booklets/ads in store – Target,

WalgreensCoupon websites – Krazy Coupon Ladyhttp://www.coupons.com/

More Tips and Tricks

Cook in large amounts and freeze leftovers

You can also freeze milkBuy bulk (grains, frozen vegetables)Shop “in season”

SNAP

What is SNAP?Benefits: $15 - $189/monthApplied to a plastic debit-like cardBenefits calculated using income, housing

expenses, and medical expensesAssets NOT includedMeant to be used as part of grocery

budget, not to replace all of it

SNAP – Ways to Apply

At Hanover Township Senior Services – residents can schedule appointment with Caseworker - contact us at 630-483-5660

Online at www.abe.illinois.gov/abe/accessIn-person at local DHS office

SNAP - Eligibility

Over the age of 60 or with a disability◦Single person: $1,915◦Two people: $2,585◦Three people: $3,255

Under the age of 60◦Single person: $1,245◦Two people: $1,681◦Three people: $2,116

SNAP – How to use benefits

Apply for programSubmit all necessary documentationHave a phone or in-person interviewReceive approval notice and card in mailSet up PIN numberGo to store and use any or all benefitHold onto cardNext month, benefits will automatically renew

(they will also carryover)Many stores: Walmart, Target, Aldi, Caputo’s

$15????

Calculator$15 can stretch more than you thinkTry shopping for store brands or Aldi 16 oz potato soup $.98 16 oz baked beans $.98 14.5 oz peas $.62 14.5 oz black beans $.98 14.5 oz green beans $.52 15 oz fruit cocktail $.98 14.5 oz carrots $.52 16 oz mixed veggies $.98 16 oz corn $.50 8 oz tuna $.68 15 oz beets $.48 4 pack cup of noodle $1.12 15 oz whole potatoes $.68 15 oz beef ravioli $.73 14.5 oz beets $.62 25 oz applesauce $1.72 12 oz mushrooms $.77 12 oz muffin mix $.46 4 bananas $1.00 TOTAL: $14.96

$15!!!!

1. Stock up on staples2. Purchase extra fruits and veggies3. Pick up some extra ingredients to make

a treat to share with a friend or family member

4. Add variety of the diet5. Tackle a tough recipe

SNAP Dos and Don’ts

OK - foods to eat – breads, cereals, fruits & veggies, meats, fish, poultry, and dairy.

OK - Seeds and plants to produce foodNO – beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes,

tobaccoNO – pet food, person care items, paper

products, vitamins & medicines, foods that can be eaten in store or hot foods

SNAP – Myths debunked

Only 1% of cases are fraudulent – system is VERY efficient

If you qualify, you will get benefits (there is no cap to who can receive the program)

Majority of recipients are children, only 8% are older adults

Recipes: Breakfasts

Breakfast meals◦Oatmeal made with milk and an orange◦French toast, orange, and a glass of milk◦Scrambled eggs, glass of milk, and an orange◦Pancakes – make a batch and can be frozen◦Milk is a great protein to add to meal – feel full

longer◦Avoid sugary cereals that aren’t nutritious

Recipes: Lunch

Stars*N*Stripes CaféTurkey Chili with whole grain pasta and a

glass of milkTuna sandwich, pasta salad, glass of milkChicken salad sandwich, orange, glass or

milkSandwiches, cans of low-sodium soupSome frozen meals on sale

Recipes: Dinner

Chicken breast, sweet potato, salad, glass or milk

Turkey tacos, orange, glass of milkSpaghetti with turkey meat sauce, glass of

milkHearty soups and stews

Closing Thoughts

Questions/Comments??

Any helpful tips/tricks/suggestions to add?

Please contact Hanover Township Senior Services at 630-483-5660 for additional

resources or for an appointment