In 1996, the first year of the program in New Mexico, four counties participated. Half of the program's funding comes from federal food stamp funds. This amount is matched by state and county Cooperative Extension service funds. Paraprofessional educators are hired from the same population that they teach. The primary goal of classes is to enable participants to eat a healthy diet.
Participants learn how to buy, store, and prepare healthy, inexpensive foods.
For some, participation is a springboard to education and employment.