WINNEMUCCA — The Food Bank of Northern Nevada, the Family Stability Council's Transitional Housing Program, and the Winnemucca Community Garden collaborated with Health and Fitness Sleuth, Patricia Setzer, to offer classes on healthy nutrition for the clients of the transitional housing program. 

Classes were held at the transitional housing apartments and followed the Food Bank of Northern Nevada's Smart Shopper curriculum which educates participants about strategies for purchasing adequate, nutritious food throughout the month.   In four one-hour classes, Setzer taught about how to accurately read a Nutrition Facts label and identify unhealthy ingredients when shopping, the USDA food pyramid, and the false label language many food companies use to sell their products.  Each class ended with a healthy, homemade, delicious snack.  One class participant noted, “ I was surprised that the snacks were healthy and still tasted so good.” 

Setzer was an avid smoker until she was rushed to the hospital and then had emergency open-heart surgery.   After recovery from the surgery, she started to notice unwelcome side-effects of the new medications she was taking.   “It became so obvious to me that in order to be truly healed I had to take an active part in my healing.  Research became a large part of my life.  First, I studied how to have a healthy heart, then how to have a healthy body. Through this research, I discovered Natural Health and a new way of life.”  To learn more about Setzer's research and to access her personal shopping and nutrition advice services, visit her website at: www.hfsleuth.com.

This program couldn't have been so successful without the collaboration of many local non-profits and exhibits the great work this community can accomplish when partnering together.  All organizations involved would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Setzer for volunteering her time and resources towards healthier and more consumer-savvy communities.  Additionally, the Community Garden and the Family Stability Council would like to thank Margie Torrance and the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for providing the food for the classes. 

The Winnemucca Community Garden and the Family Stability Council are United Way of the Great Basin Partners. 

Rachel Jones is the Children's Education Coordinator/AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer currently on assignment with the Winnemucca Community Garden  She can be reached at:  775-623-2333 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.