Staff of the Women Children and Infants (WIC) program offered parents the chance to learn how to cook a low-cost, nutritious turkey chili while learning about how to save money on food at the same time. Community Outreach Coordinator Lisa Alves and Nutrition Educator Lori Andrade welcomed eight parents and their children to the HealthFirst Family Care Center for the one-hour session that was the first class offered under the new Fall River Parent Academy. WIC is a  nutrition program that provides health education, healthy food and other services free of charge to Massachusetts families who qualify. The program also offers breastfeeding classes, one-on-one breastfeeding support, as well as immunization screening and referrals. The program gives parent opportunities to talk with other parents about nutrition and other health topics that are important to their families. Educational material donated by BMC HealthNet Plan was also offered to parents along with materials provided by the Federal Government. Click here for a 22-minute video of the class. For information about WIC services and how to sign up, contact Lisa Alves at 508-679-9349.

(Top row) At the WIC Program headquarters at the HealthFirst Family Care Center, Nutrition Educator Lori Andrade  welcomes parents and hands them recipes and other materials along with Community Outreach Coordinator Lisa Alves. (Row two) Lori begins preparing the turkey chili recipe with help from Lisa. (Row three) Angelitiza Barbosa, Eliud Irizarry and Ilande Marr Novals listen as Lisa and Lori follow the recipe to make the chili recipe. (Bottom row) Lisa serves samples of the dish and receives positive feedback from Michael and Elizabeth Garcia as they taste it.