Tidbits
Tidbits is a monthly senior food program publication that contains features like healthy eating tips, recipes, and information about food distributions.
To see when the next distribution near you will be, head over to our Seniors page.
Milk in the USDA Food Box
The USDA food box contains UHT and/or instant nonfat dry milk. Both are excellent sources of calcium and Vitamin D. These help bones and teeth stay strong. Nonfat milk has the same amount of protein, calcium, and vitamins as whole milk but no fat and fewer calories. UHT stands for “ultra-high temperature.” UHT milk has been treated with heat so that it does not need to be refrigerated until after opening. UHT milk can be used in recipes just like regular milk or as a chilled beverage. To make the instant nonfat dry milk, add dry milk powder to cold water and mix well. To make 1 cup of milk, add ⅓ cup of powder to one scant cup of water. To enhance the taste, prepare the milk in advance and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Add 1-2 Tablespoons of nonfat dry milk powder to smoothies, shakes, creamy soups, or hot cereals to boost the protein, calcium, and vitamins without adding extra fat. Use nonfat dry milk powder as a healthy, affordable coffee creamer. The material provided in intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care.
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Sleep
The average adult should be sleeping 7-8 hours a night. The average American sleeps less than 7 hours a night which is affecting our bodies more than we think. Sleep is very important for our health including brain performance, boosts immune system, and mood. Lack of sleep can lead to a higher risk for diseases like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and dementia. Try these sleep tips: • Be consistent with your sleeping schedule. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, or large meals before bed. • Turn off TVs, computers, or smartphones before you get into bed. • Be physically active throughout the day. • Make your room comfortable – dark, quiet, right temperature for you. • If this is something you cannot control, try a sleep eye mask, ear plugs, white noise, or use a fan/heater to maintain room temperature. Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits! The material provided in intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition happens when our diets do not contain the right amount of nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, or calories. Sometimes it means not getting enough nutrients, and sometimes it means getting too much. Unwanted muscle and fat loss can occur if nutrients are missing and diseases like heart disease and diabetes can develop if there is too much. The best way to prevent malnutrition is by having a well-balanced diet. MyPlate is a great guide to create meals, show what types of foods and how much of that certain food group you should eat to meet the right amount of nutrients for a healthy body. The MyPlate guide says half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables, a quarter should be whole grains, and the last quarter a variety of protein. You should also be consuming low-fat or fat-free dairy. Eating three meals a day, along with 2-3 snacks throughout helps to keep you healthy. Water is also an important nutrient to consider for malnutrition. For more information on MyPlate guidelines, visit www.myplate.gov. Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits! The material provided is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care. Lowering Your Sodium The effect of sodium (salt) on your blood pressure is well-known. The more sodium you take in, the higher your blood pressure rises. Sodium is found in many of the foods we eat and most of us get more than we need. Sodium is already added to a lot of the foods we buy and dishes we order so you shouldn’t have to add salt.
The material provided in intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual medical care. Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits below!
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
Fruits and vegetables provide a variety of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber — while remaining naturally low in calories, fat, and sodium. Not only do they lower your risk of developing some chronic diseases, but they also help you maintain a healthy weight. June is the start of fresh fruits and vegetable season here in Michigan. Celebrate the month by visiting a local farmers’ market. Make sure to apply for the Senior Project Fresh program to receive coupons to use when buying produce at the market. Contact your local CSFP agency for more information. Here are some fresh fruit and vegetable facts: • Watermelons can keep you hydrated. They are thick skinned and 92% water. • Brussel sprouts may be the healthiest vegetable. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and have almost zero calories, fat, or cholesterol. • Broccoli has a lot of protein. Plus, it has no fat or cholesterol. • Apples give you energy. This content is intended to be used as general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your physician to see if the advice in this article is appropriate for you. Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits!
Healthy Fats
Fats get a bad reputation, but they are a very important part of a healthy diet and should be consumed daily to help with brain development, vision, energy, and other necessary functions in the body. There are different kinds of fats and choosing mostly healthy fats, such as those found in eggs, avocados, nuts, seeds, and seafood is good for your body. Some ways to make sure you are having healthy fats are
Source: www.myplate.gov This content is intended to be used as general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your physician to see if the advice in this article is appropriate for you.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are also called micronutrients because they are very important for the body but in smaller amounts than some other nutrients. There are 13 vitamins and 15 minerals that are necessary for the body to function properly. Each of these vitamins and minerals helps keep your body healthy in a different way. Most vitamins and minerals can be found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, meats, dairy products, and whole grains so it’s important to have all of these in your diet. Some foods such as cereals or breads are also “fortified” meaning they have extra vitamins and minerals added to help people get enough vitamins and minerals in their diet. One of the easiest ways to make sure you’re getting all the different vitamins and minerals is to eat fruits and vegetables of different colors during the week. Different colors often represent different important vitamins and minerals in foods. This content is intended to be used as general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your physician to see if the advice in this article is appropriate for you. Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits.
Keeping Your Teeth Healthy
Keeping your teeth healthy is important. Missing teeth or dentures that don’t fit right can make eating difficult. To help keep teeth healthy, visit the dentist regularly for teeth and denture checkups. Brush your teeth and dentures at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Calcium works to keep teeth strong. Good sources of calcium come from the dairy group with foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free milk, fortified soy milk, and yogurt. Do you have difficulty chewing?
Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits. This content is intended to be used as general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your physician to see if the advice in this article is appropriate for you.  February's featured produce is bell peppers
Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but there’s a lot you can do to prevent it. Research shows that self-care can help you keep your blood pressure in a healthy range and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Self-care is what you do to stay healthy. It’s also what you do to care for any health problems you have, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or mental health disorders. It’s heart-healthy living! Self-care for your heart is really self-care for your whole self. You can improve and protect your health overall when you
Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits! This content is intended to be used as general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your physician to see if the advice in this article is appropriate for you.  January's featured produce is cauliflower
National Fiber Focus Month
Fiber is essential in our diets. There are insoluble fibers and soluble fibers. Insoluble fibers absorb water. This means that if you are experiencing constipation, fiber will keep more water in your digestive system helping things to move along. And if you are experiencing diarrhea, fiber can help you by absorbing water. Soluble fibers dissolve in water and can trap fat, meaning your body absorbs less fat. Your stomach takes longer to empty when you have a high fiber diet. Eating enough soluble fiber can help lower cholesterol and improve blood glucose levels. Plant foods like lentils and beans, and fruits like pears, are rich sources of fiber. Learn more in this month's edition of Tidbits. This content is intended to be used as general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your physician to see if the advice in this article is appropriate for you. |
Questions? Give us a call!Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Oceana, and Osceola County Residents: 989-229-0849 Reminder CallsMonthly customers will receive an automated call the day before distribution reminding them to pick up their box. Archives
October 2024
Box ReturnsWe are now able to sterilize boxes with UV light treatment. Clean boxes may be returned at distributions. Non-discrimination policyIn accordance with Federal Civil Rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Civil Rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior credible activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. |
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Hours
Monday-Thursday from 8 AM-4:30 PM
Friday from 8 AM-4 PM
Closed daily from 12-1 PM
Friday from 8 AM-4 PM
Closed daily from 12-1 PM
Locations
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CLARE COUNTY
Administrative Office 1574 E Washington Road PO Box 768 Farwell, MI 48622 Phone 989-386-3805 Toll-Free 1-877-213-5948 Fax 989-386-3277 [email protected] FOOD WAREHOUSE 2300 E Ludington Drive Clare, MI 48617 989-229-0849 [email protected] |
BAY COUNTY
114 South Washington Avenue Bay City, MI 48708 Phone: 989-894-9060 [email protected] GLADWIN COUNTY 1302 Chatterton Street Gladwin, MI 48624 Phone: 989-426-2801 [email protected] MECOSTA COUNTY 14330 Northland Drive Big Rapids, MI 49307 Phone: 231-660-0271 [email protected] MIDLAND COUNTY 1717 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 103 Midland, MI 48642 Phone: 989-832-7310 [email protected] |
MUSKEGON COUNTY
878 Jefferson Street, Suite 2 Muskegon, MI 49440 Phone: 231-557-7622 [email protected] OCEANA COUNTY 907 S State Street Suite 102 Hart, MI 49420 Phone: 231-923-3066 [email protected] OSCEOLA COUNTY 240 E Church Street Reed City, MI 49677 Phone: 231-791-7078 [email protected] |
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
[email protected]
This institution is an equal opportunity provider