By Nicholas Goodman, MiCAFE Network Specialist
There are many resources available to support SNAP recipients with accessing nutritious meals. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a website called What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl in an effort to increase awareness and provide tools for healthy eating.
On the “Recipes” tab, you can search and filter recipes that are compliant with various program guidelines. Program filtering options include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution (FDD), MyPlate (CNPP), and Child Nutrition (CNP). Presently, there are 810 recipes a person could make using items eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits!
The recipe page lets you filter down even more specifically in many different categories:
- Course: Breakfast, Desserts, Salads, Breads, etc.;
- Nutrition Focus: Eat more fruits and vegetables, eat more seafood, eat more whole grains, etc.;
- Nutrients: Reduce sodium, get more calcium, limit saturated fat;
- Food group: Fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy;
- Cooking Equipment: Microwave, oven, skillet, stovetop, etc.;
- Cuisine: American, Asian, Middle Eastern, etc.;
- Total Cost of Recipe: A scale of $ to $$$$, $ equals less than $3.00 per meal, $$$$ equals more than $9.01 per meal;
- Total Calories per Serving;
- Saturated Fat per Serving;
- Sodium per Serving.
As many of you know, many of the MiCAFE Network clients we serve who receive SNAP feel limited by their options. This recipe finder is a hidden gem for inspiration! You can even save recipes and make your own cookbook. Once a recipe is saved in your cookbook, you can compile a shopping list for necessary ingredients! Bon appétit!