Consumer services reach into urban, rural areas

Quadaih Sproud calls the Consumer Sciences program at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County a lifechanger.

Sproud had just become a new mother and was taking her daughter for a walk when someone told her about the Healthy Homes and Healthy Neighborhood programs offered by the group. Sproud learned she could have her home inspected for fire safety and received the added protection of a fire extinguisher at no cost. She then signed up for a free lead-testing program.

“I didn’t even know that programs like this were offered,” Sproud said.

According to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County Executive Director Bernadine Wiesen, air quality and lead poisoning are important quality- of-life issues that, when addressed, can help to build a stronger community.

Sproud credits her instructor for going the extra mile and offering her some cleaning techniques. Today, she works with nutrition program educator Felicia Chandler, learning skills like food preparation and budgeting.

“One of the first things I’d said after my daughter was born is that I wanted to buy a cookbook to broaden our taste buds,” Sproud said. “This has really opened my palate to different things.”

Once a week, Chandler comes to her home and together they prepare a new recipe from local, seasonal ingredients. Sproud’s niece and nephew sometimes come over to help.

According to Chandler, engaging people in the cooking process and making small, incremental changes increases the chance for long-term success.

“It’s about eating smart and being active,” Chan-

“One of the first things I’d said after my daughter was born is that I wanted to buy a cookbook to broaden our taste buds. This has really opened my palate to different things.” — Quadaih Sproud

dler said. “We help people learn by doing so they know how to prepare these meals for their families.”

Budgeting techniques and different recipes can also help to expand a family’s food budget. For example, packing lunch versus buying lunch each day added more than $100 to one program participant’s food budget. One featured recipe is for turkey tacos that can feed a family of eight with just a pound of ground beef, beans and vegetables.

“Little things can make a difference,” Chandler said.

The nutrition programs cover a broad audience, from children to senior citizens, and also touch on general food safety. The Healthy Homes program partners with Rensselaer County to serve both urban and rural areas.

For Sproud, having a partner like Cornell Cooperative Extension has enhanced her family’s lifestyle and provided piece of mind. She left the workforce after the birth of her

daughter and credits Cornell Cooperative Extension with helping her achieve her most important goal: to be a full-time mother.