NORWICH – The Cornell Cooperative Extension Eat Smart New York Program recently welcomed a new educator to help take on the challenges of promoting a healthier lifestyle.

Newcomer Neisa Pantalia said she has no regrets in pursuing a health related career that requires an active role in the community. “I always saw myself as more of a community person,” she said, reflecting on her career options as a graduate of the dietetic technician program at SUNY Morrisville. She has been shadowing her two colleagues at Eat Smart for nearly two months and won’t be able to conduct her own classes until she finishes her training in March.

As an educator, Pantalia will be responsible for working with community members that qualify for Eat Smart services, including those on Medicaid or receiving food stamps and WIC assistance.

“I can’t wait to jump more into it,” she said Monday before helping facilitate her first session in Greene.

“What a lot of people don’t realize is that it’s not just a cooking class,” said Program Coordinator Betty Clark. “We teach people how to put a recipe together, make healthier choices and make a food budget.”