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Wants to learn to cook or eat healthier on a small budget

Use when someone wants free cooking or nutrition classes, or simple ways to eat healthier without spending more.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Find out their goal
  2. Take a free class
  3. Simple steps to eat healthier for less
  4. Learn a few basics
  5. Get more fresh food

1Find out their goal

You can ask"Do you want to learn to cook, eat healthier, or stretch your food money? Any health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure?"
You can say"Healthy food does not have to cost more. Beans, oats, eggs, cabbage, carrots and frozen vegetables are cheap and good for you."

2Take a free class

NMSU's ICAN and EFNEP programs teach free cooking and nutrition classes for low-income people. Federal funding changed in 2025, so call the Extension office to ask what classes are running now.
NMSU Cooperative Extension Service - Grant County
ICAN free nutrition and cooking classes
575-388-1559
2610 N. Silver St., Silver City · Call for class dates
Website ↗
The Commons also offers cooking and food preservation classes.
The Commons Center for Food Security & Sustainability
Community cooking and food preservation classes
575-388-2988
501 E 13th St, Silver City · Varies - see The Commons calendar
Website ↗
Has diabetes? Kitchen Creations is a free cooking class for people with diabetes and their cooks.
NMSU Cooperative Extension / NMDOH
Kitchen Creations diabetes cooking classes
575-202-5065
Silver City · No Silver City class scheduled now; nearest Deming, Thursdays Mar 4-25 2027, 5-8 pm (in person or Zoom)
Website ↗

3Simple steps to eat healthier for less

Fill half the plate with vegetables or fruit. Frozen and canned count.
Rinse canned beans and vegetables to wash off extra salt.
Pick water over soda and juice. That alone saves money.
Choose whole grains when you can: oats, brown rice, corn tortillas.
Buy whole foods and cut them yourself. A whole cabbage costs less than a bag of slaw.
Cook a big pot of beans or soup and eat it for days.

4Learn a few basics

Start with the guide "Wants to cook cheap, filling meals from beans, rice, masa and flour".
See the guide "Cheap breakfasts from staples: oatmeal, pancakes, eggs".
See the guide "Soups and stews from leftovers and canned vegetables".
See the guide "Recipes from a food box or pantry bag".

5Get more fresh food

See the guide "Wants more fresh fruit and vegetables with SNAP (Double Up Food Bucks)".
See the guide "Wants their SNAP (food stamps) to last all month".
At the Gospel MissionThe Thursday Morning Market (mobile pantry) may have fresh produce.

More help like this

Hungry today and needs food for the monthUse when someone is hungry now and also needs enough food for the rest of the month.Has special diet needs (diabetes, allergies, no teeth)Use when someone needs food that fits a health need: diabetes, food allergies, kidney or heart problems, soft food for missing teeth, or special baby formula.Someone is asking for money at your doorUse when a stranger knocks at your home or business asking for money, gas, food or a ride, and you want to stay safe, spot scams, and point them to real help.All food pantries in Grant County: places, days, times and what to bringUse when someone wants a list of every food pantry and free food distribution in Grant County, with where and when they are, who qualifies and what to bring.Wants to stock up on beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt and oilUse when someone wants to buy basic staples (beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt, oil) in bulk to save money and have food that lasts for months.Wants more fresh fruit and vegetables with SNAP (Double Up Food Bucks)Use when someone gets SNAP and wants more fresh fruit and vegetables. Double Up Food Bucks gives free extra money for New Mexico-grown produce at farmers markets.

See all guides in Food and basics →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

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Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.