Food, Nutrition and Health Information

Local News

ServSafe Certification Training -- Spirit Lake, March 8th
(Posted on 2/1/2012)
Did you know that there are estimated 76 million food borne illnesses each year and 225 to 300 million cases of acute gastroenteritis? That figures out to be once a year for each of us. How do you know the food you are being served has been handled and prepared with safety in mind? ServSafe is arguably the most recognized and renowned certification a food service manager can acquire to verify a complete knowledge of food safety practices. Research shows that training employees in safe food handling practices significantly improves food safety. Sign-up for a class today!

What's For Supper? Tips to Spend Smart. Eat Smart. - March 27th
(Posted on 1/30/2012)
Ever wonder how to provide nutritious meals for your family without spending more at the grocery store? Come join ISU Nutrition & Health Program Specialist, Holly VanHeel, for an evening of fun and exploration. Learn ways to stretch your food dollar and provide a more balanced, healthy meal.

Find Us On Facebook
(Posted on 1/5/2012)
Come "Like Us" on Facebook to get alerts on latest programs and happenings with Extension.

New Year's Resolution - Forget Forbidden Foods
(Posted on 1/4/2012)
If one of your resolutions for the new year was to eat healthier, consider this...instead of concentrating on how to avoid ‘forbidden’ foods, focus on foods you CAN eat more often. ISU Extension & Outreach Nutrition Specialists share suggestions.

My Plate's Message: Proportions
(Posted on 9/12/2011)
The USDA released a new food icon “MyPlate” on June 2, 2011. The intent of the icon is to share a simple, concise message of proportionality on your plate. Extension also has some fun new ways to help Americans visualize proportions as well.

News from Iowa State University Extension

Morel Mushroom Certification Workshops Scheduled for March and April
(Posted on 2/9/2012)
Individuals who would like to be able to sell morel mushrooms legally within the state of Iowa can take a three-hour certification workshop in March or April. Workshops are being offered at several locations across the state.

Use MyPlate to Make a Better Pizza
(Posted on 1/31/2012)
One food with the potential to include all the food groups is pizza. But can this well-loved entree that is notoriously high in fat, sodium and carbohydrates fit on MyPlate? Yes it can, with a few modifications,says an ISU Extension and Outreach nutrition specialist.

Forget ‘Forbidden’ – Focus on Foods to Eat More Often
(Posted on 1/3/2012)
Many people make New Year’s resolutions to slim down. Their plans often involve rigid diet regimens that make them feel deprived. So instead of avoiding "forbidden" foods, focus on foods you can eat more often, says an ISU Extension and Outreach nutrition specialist.

Healthy Choices Don’t Have to be on Hold during Holidays
(Posted on 12/19/2011)
Make smarter choices during food-filled holiday festivities, says Sarah Francis, an ISU Extension and Outreach nutrition specialist. Control portion size, exercise and join the Live Healthy Iowa Challenge.

Poverty and Food Needs Profiles Offer County Data
(Posted on 12/16/2011)
Poverty statistics have climbed during the past decade, and food insecurity rates have increased across Iowa and the nation as a whole. Researchers from Iowa State University have assembled the latest data on these issues in a series of publications, now available online.

Eat Simpler, Healthier with New Healthy & Homemade Cookbook
(Posted on 12/6/2011)
Need a holiday gift or an addition to a personal cookbook collection? The Healthy & Homemade cookbook from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is a great resource for any family.

Videos Demonstrate Internet Supply/Demand Tool for Farmers, Markets and Consumers
(Posted on 11/30/2011)
Take a tour of the MarketMaker website by viewing recently released videos highlighting everything MarketMaker has available. MarketMaker is an online tool connecting family shoppers with farmers and everyone in between – including restaurants and grocery stores.

Get Answers to Holiday Food, Stain Removal Questions from ISU Extension’s Answer Line
(Posted on 11/15/2011)
What’s the best way to thaw a frozen turkey? Is it safe to make pies and vegetable dishes a couple days before the big family gathering? And what’s the best way to deal with the leftovers? To get answers to these and other holiday food questions, call Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Answer Line, 800-262-3804.

Extension Food Safety Specialist to Conduct Seminar on New Federal Law
(Posted on 11/7/2011)
Angela Laury will work with Iowa producers and manufacturers to promote food safety as the new food safety specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. One of her first assignments is introducing food producers to the Food Safety Modernization Act, a new federal law designed to encourage food safety through preventive measures.

Third Group of Iowa Volunteers Visits Uganda
(Posted on 10/12/2011)
A third group of volunteers traveled to Uganda in August this year as part of the rural development program, Bridging the Gap: Increasing Competitiveness of Ugandan Women Farmers in the Marketplace. This farmer-to-farmer program pairs Iowa women farmers with eight groups of women farmers in the Kamuli District of Uganda.

Events

Nutrition: Choices for Health

03/08/2012 ServSafe Certification Training
03/27/2012 Spend Smart and Eat Smart Workshop

More Nutrition: Choices for Health events

View the complete ISU Extension events Calendar

Staff

Holly VanHeel - Nutrition & Health Program Specialist
Phone: 515-576-2119
Fax: 515-576-6447
Email: vanheel@iastate.edu