I am often faced with the question “Well what is BLT?” Besides the obviously delicious answer of “bacon, lettuce and tomato” BLT stands for “Better Living for Texans” and is a statewide nutrition education program.  BLT was started in 1994 and is a cooperative endeavor between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.

BLT extension program assistants, like myself, focus on teaching nutrition related topics like comparing prices, healthy menu options, Myplate, meal planning, food safety, importance of physical fitness, etc.  BLT classes are free for participants and have been serving limited income families in 217 of the 254 counties in the state of Texas.  The program’s goal is to provide nutrition education to families receiving assistance in hopes that they will make healthy food choices and choose a healthy lifestyle. This program reaches out to both adults and children to help teach them how to eat better and save money doing so.

Those who would like to schedule an evaluation series to be taught, please contact the Brown County AgriLife Extension office at 325-646-0386.

About the Author:  Bridget Bean is an Extension Program Assistant and Better Living for Texans educator with the Brown County AgriLife Extension office.  Bridget may be reached at 325-646-0386.