Home Economics & ICAN (Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition)
Curry County Home Economics our county's Extension home economics program is devoted to strengthening family life. In a rapidly changing world, the challenges facing individuals and families in our county are great. With the problem solving philosophy, we strive to develop programs to deal with complex issues facing local families. We work to improve consumer and family skills, while building leadership skills of citizens. We teach through group training sessions and, local programs and community projects. We are dedicated to solving community needs, concerns, and issues.
Child & Family Development
Statistics regarding New Mexico's families show that there are many needs that can be addressed by Extension programs. According to the 1990 Census, there are 391,487 families in New Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Children, Youth & Families (1992) reported that the categories of New Mexico families include: two parent families (56%); single parent families, headed by women (12%); single parent families, headed by men (4%); non-family households (28%). Compared to all other states, New Mexico has the highest share of children in single father families (Center for Social Policy, 1992). Non-family households are defined by the Census Bureau as persons living alone or with non-relatives. Children make up 30% of the population and according to Kids Count (1997) the number of children under age 18 will increase 14% by the year 2005. In New Mexico, 71% of moms in the labor force have children under 17; 56% of moms in the labor force have children under 6 years old (Children’s Defense Fund, 1998).
Food & Nutrition Education
Good nutrition and fitness practices are of utmost importance in preventing obesity and many diet-related diseases. Curry County residents’ most common causes of death are diseases of the heart , cancer and atherosclerosis which results in strokes. Diabetes affects l in every 8 New Mexicans; one-half is undiagnosed and minorities are at higher risk. The Hispanic population is 30%; the African-American population is 7.2%. here are many older persons in the county who live alone and often do not eat properly as well as low-income families who choose traditional, high-fat diets. One in every three adults is obese, and one-fourth of youth are obese, due to snacking, high-fat diets and lack of exercise. Key resources for improving nutrition, diet and health are the Food Guide Pyramid, the Diabetic Pyramid, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Nutrition Facts Label. Important programming for Curry County includes low-fat food selection and preparation techniques due to the cultural tendency in all populations to prepare high fat, high sugar content foods.
Family & Community Food Safety
Consumers in Curry County have a basic awareness of food safety, but lack specific knowledge of food processing, food storage, and food handling practices. Curry County was the site of a large scale Botulism contamination several years ago, so residents know how serious foodborne illness can be. Curry County has a large meat and dairy industry as well as widespread home and field gardens. Food is processed for home consumption by many families. The Lifesaver Food Bank and community organizations distribute food to needy persons and agencies. Many service organizations, including 4-H, Cowbelles, and churches serve dinners and manage concession stands or fundraising purposes. There are a number of delicatessens and restaurants in Clovis. E. colli, salmonella and listeria are the prevalent causes of food-borne illness in the county.