Gardening | Kentucky Nutrition Education Program

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Build balanced meals with canned goods

Many people recognize the benefits of fruits and vegetables and the important role they play in their health. You can choose a variety of fresh, frozen, dried, dehydrated, or canned options to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Canned items are convenient, affordable, and are available year-round. Whether it is commercial or home […]


Family Mealtime: A Tasty Base for Healthy Youth Development

Between work, running errands, and after-school activities, meals on the go have become a staple for many American families. You may not realize taking those few extra moments to sit down for a meal with your family fills more than just your stomach. Sitting down for a family meal is one of the easiest proven […]


Eating Seasonally: A Delicious Journey through the Seasons

Have you ever wondered why certain fruits and vegetables taste better at certain times of the year? That’s because they are in season! Eating seasonally means enjoying recently harvested food and reaping both flavor and nutrition benefits. Every three months, we transition into a new season, bringing a fresh abundance of produce. Each fruit and […]


Eating Over the Rainbow: A Fruit and Veggie a Day Challenge

  How often do you eat fruits and vegetables? A recent report showed many Kentucky children ages 1 through 5 years old do not eat at least one fruit or vegetable each day. There are many reasons why children or other family members do not eat fruit or vegetables daily. They might not have transportation […]


Must-Have Kitchen Tools for Budding Chefs

Are you ready to become a kitchen master? To create delicious meals, you need the right tools. Start by getting the basic cooking essentials, and as you gain more experience, explore additional kitchen tools that will make your cooking adventures even more exciting. Don’t worry if you can’t get everything at once – you can […]


The Nutritional Powerhouse: Blueberries

Introduction:  Blueberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that offers a wide range of health benefits. Packed with flavor, fiber, and essential vitamins, blueberries make a perfect addition to your diet. In this article, we will explore the nutrition facts of blueberries, tips for selecting and storing them, and some creative ideas for incorporating them […]


Handling Chronic Illness

Millions of adults deal daily with chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The presence of a chronic illness results from irreversible biological processes that ultimately contribute to the disability and potential death of the person with the illness. Although disability or death may occur decades after diagnosis, the lengthy course […]


It’s Grilling Season! Grill Safely this Season and Beyond…

Grilling is a summer activity everyone enjoys.   It is a healthy way of cooking, and you can grill pretty much anything.  Burgers, chicken, seafood, and even fruits and vegetables are all delicious when cooked on the grill.  No matter what you’re cooking, though, follow the tips below to prevent foodborne illness and keep your family […]


Smoothie Basics : Build a Better Smoothie

There are many benefits of choosing smoothies for a refreshing snack or beverage. Often, smoothies have multiple food groups, which provide a variety of nutrients and energy. Depending on the ingredients, smoothies may serve as a meal, snack, or even dessert. Most smoothies have at least two fruits or vegetables. So, they are a great […]


Let’s Talk about Dry Milk!

Dry milk is a great option to consider when it comes to getting all the nutrients found in regular liquid milk. Not only that but adding extra dry milk to your meals is an excellent and affordable way to boost their nutritional value. There are two types of dry milk: regular and instant. Both types […]


Strawberries: Delicious and Nutritious Fruits

Strawberries are a favorite fruit for many people, and it’s no wonder why! These sweet and juicy berries are the first fruits to ripen in the spring and can be grown in every state in the United States. In fact, they are one of the most popular small fruits to grow in home gardens. Did […]


Enjoy Fresh Food and Support Local Economy: Shopping with Your EBT at Farmers’ Markets

Introduction: People from diverse backgrounds choose to buy locally for several reasons. They appreciate the freshness of the products and want to support their local economy. Additionally, knowing where their food comes from is important to them. Shopping locally not only benefits individuals but also contributes to the economic, environmental, social, and overall well-being of […]


Plan Ahead for Canning Season

Now is the time to start preparing  for canning season. It is always a good idea to purchase your supplies early so you are not running around hunting for supplies at the last minute. You can buy canning supplies at many grocery stores, home goods and farm supply stores, hardware stores, big box retailers, and […]


Enjoy Local Asparagus this Season!

Asparagus is not only delicious but also nutritious. You’ll find 22 calories, 2 grams of protein, and 4 grams of carbohydrates in just a half cup of steamed asparagus. It’s a great source of vitamin A and folate too. Plus, it’s low in calories, making it a smart choice for a healthy diet. When buying […]


Food Safety after a Flood!

Explore crucial food and water safety measures post-flood. Infographics detail which foods to discard and which are safe to sanitize, along with highlighting non-waterproof packaging risks. Discover essential water safety tips, from cleaning packaged food to ensuring drinkable water. Stay informed to safeguard your health in the aftermath of flooding.


Using Safe Water After a Natural Disaster or Emergency

If you are in a disaster or emergency, you must take steps to prevent illness from unsafe water. After a disaster: Do not use water you suspect or have been told is contaminated to drink, wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula Use bottled, […]


How Do I Prepare Food without Power?

Preparing food after a disaster might be difficult because of power loss, no water source, and/or no fuel. Depending on what is available to you, there are several options for preparing food out of necessity. Keep in mind that some of these options are meant to be used outside and should never be used to […]


How Much Food and Water Should I Have on Hand for an Emergency???

What should I have on hand and how much? All families look different. When storing food and water, consider whether there are infants, children, and/or family members on special diets or who have specific health conditions. Ideally, you should have enough food and water per person stored in the home for at least three days. […]


Can I Eat This? Food Safety During Power Outages

Bad weather is just one of many reasons the power could go out.  When there are power outages, it is important to have a plan for keeping foods safe. Food items stored in the refrigerator or freezer can easily spoil or become harmful to eat if they are not kept at safe temperatures.  Here are […]


Flooded Gardens

Flood water is dirty. It not only has harmful germs that can cause illness, it could hold raw sewage and chemical residues such as gasoline, oil, detergents, or pesticides. Crops and other foods that have come in contact with flood water may have pathogens, and you should not eat them. Avoid any risk of getting […]


Food Date Labeling: What’s That Date Mean?

Dates that are printed on food packaging are often misunderstood by consumers, resulting in massive amounts of food waste each year. Infant formula is the only food product required by federal rules to have a product date. Meat, poultry, and egg products under the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) may voluntarily include a date […]


Cook frozen food carefully so you don’t get sick!

With more people preparing meals at home, it is important to practice good food safety principles in the kitchen. This includes reading the label to understand how to prepare frozen foods properly.  New research from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) tells us that consumers may not know how to cook frozen foods safely. […]


Understanding Winter Storms : Be Winter Storm Ready

It is hard to know when winter storms will hit year-to-year.  But this year, make sure you are prepared for any that come our way.  Winter storms are seen when the temperatures drop and there may be ice, sleet, snow or freezing rain. There are many different types of winter storms.  Sometimes, there is only […]


Grow Your Own Way! Gardening in Small Spaces…

Gardening in its many forms is a popular hobby in Kentucky. It promotes healthy habits such as spending time outdoors, being physically active, and raising homegrown fruits and vegetables for your family. If you live in urban areas, have little space, or have limited mobility, you may think gardening won’t work for you. However, raised […]