Ralston — A new partnership between Wyoming Heritage Grains, Food Bank of Wyoming and the University of Wyoming Extension is bringing Wyoming-grown whole grains to food pantries across the state. 

The initiative connects Wyoming producers and processors, such as Wyoming Heritage Grains, with anti-hunger organizations, like Food Bank of Wyoming, and nutrition education programs, like CNP. Together, these partners will enable statewide distribution of wheat berries and spelt flour, increasing access to and knowledge about how to use whole grains.

“The donation of whole grains has a double benefit,” says Mindy Meuli, director of UW Extension’s Cent$ible Nutrition Program (CNP). “Not only does it increase food access, it also addresses nutrition security, which provides nutritious and healthy food options to people who are food insecure.”

The project started with a heritage grains study led by UW Extension educator Caitlin Youngquist. In addition to conducting field research, Youngquist facilitated the donation of surplus grains to local food pantries. Through her efforts, the donation program grew to include Wyoming producers and CNP.

“I think it’s really important for people to eat real, whole food and so I was all about this project,” says Sara Wood, owner of Wyoming Heritage Grains. She grew Red Spring wheat berries for the first round of 2023 donations and also donated her time to mill Wyoming-grown spelt into flour. 

With the help of Food Bank of Wyoming, the spelt flour and wheat berries will be distributed to food pantries across the state this month.

“Supporting local producers and food initiatives is part of the future of feeding our Wyoming neighbors,” says Rachel Bailey, director of Food Bank of Wyoming. “With our large presence and distribution capabilities, Food Bank of Wyoming has the ability to transport these grains to our community partners across the state who can ensure that this nutritious food is going to neighbors facing food insecurity.”

To support the effort, CNP educators across the state will work with local food pantries to provide educational materials and cooking demonstrations focused on these whole-grain foods.

“It is really fun to work on these collaborative projects that get Wyoming-grown food to Wyoming residents,” says Youngquist. “CNP has been a great partner, and Wyoming Heritage Grains provided the milling and packaging services we needed to get this done.”

To learn more about the project, contact CNP at cnp-info@uwyo.edu or (307) 766-5375.

About the Cent$ible Nutrition Program

Wyoming’s Cent$ible Nutrition Program serves people with limited resources through nutrition education and local partnerships that help make the healthy choice the easy choice. CNP is funded by the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Program-Education and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. CNP is available in every Wyoming county as well as the Wind River Reservation, and offers both in-person and online classes. Programming is free to those who income qualify. For more information, visit uwyocnp.org.