Franciscans' Food Project helps Navajo battle health problems

Published: 2004-05-07

TOHATCHI, N.M. (CNS) -- A Franciscan mission in the northwest New Mexico community of Tohatchi has embarked upon an ambitious program to stem the skyrocketing incidence of diabetes on the Navajo reservation. The Food Project at St. Mary Mission is more than just a food bank. The program, located in a double-wide mobile home on the mission grounds, offers area residents a unique incentive to shop for healthy food choices with low sugar content. "This is an incentive program where no money is exchanged for goods," said Franciscan Sister Mildred Kochert. Sister Kochert said when people go grocery shopping and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables they save the receipt for that purchase. They then can bring the receipt to the Food Project where they will receive, at no charge, a comparable dollar amount in "healthy" food choices.

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