Each year Americans throw away thousands of pounds of food Every pound of food equals money wasted. Glenda Hyde of OSU Extension stops by the Sisters and East Bend Libraries to show how to better budget and plan a week of menus. Her presentations are part of the Know Money series during the month of January. The presentations are free and open to the public but limited to 15 participants per presentation.  Register online at one of the links below.

January 6, 2013 • 2:00 p.m.
Sisters Public Library

January 26, 2013 • 1:30 p.m.
East Bend Public Library

According to Hyde creating a food budget is an important component of managing household expenses. “Creating and using a food budget helps you manage your resources to minimize the expense and maximize the taste and nutrition,” says Hyde. She says the single most important thing about food budgeting is to plan ahead. “Plan your work, work your plan.” Hyde is often asked to dispel the myth that good food is too expensive and too time consuming to prepare. She believes that planning ahead, shopping with a list and looking for seasonal deals keeps healthy food affordable. “Using basic cooking skills in batch cooking you can have really good, affordable food that looks and tastes great.”

People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats, seating or auxiliary aides) should contact Liz at 312-1032. For information about this or other library programs, please call 541/312-1032 or visit www.deschuteslibrary.org.