Food and Nutrition

two girls holding banana and cutting board

In this project you can do fun experiments, prepare recipes, and go on fact-finding missions. You’ll have fun learning about food ingredients, food characteristics, nutrition and food safety.

Use My Plate to make healthy food choices
Understand how nutrition affects health, fitness, and your appearance
Learn to prepare and store foods safely
Learn about the science of nutrition
Learn skills in planning, purchasing, preparing and serving tasty and nutritious meals

Share What You Learn With Others!

Communication

Teach friends how to make healthy snacks
Tell your family about the importance of eating a variety of foods from all the food groups
Design a poster about kitchen safety

Civic Engagement

Bake with the elderly at a care center
Volunteer at a food pantry
Offer locally grown food sampling at grocery store

Leadership

Take responsibility for planning and preparing one family meal each week
Plan and help prepare food for a special family event
Create a club fundraiser around food such as a meal or bake sale

Exhibit Ideas

Learn to read nutrition labels on food.
Experiment with altering recipes and share results.
Compare cost of purchased vs. home made foods.
Assemble a set of favorite recipes.
Research sports drinks vs. water - make a poster or presentation on results.

Ideas for Project Area Learning!

Learn how to read a recipe and use measuring equipment.
Compare costs of purchased and homemade foods
Learn how food spoils
Learn how to keep your kitchen germ free
Prepare a grocery list and go grocery shopping
Learn safety know-how in the kitchen
Make healthy fast food choices at home, at school and eating out
Plan and prepare a meal
Learn how to preserve and dry foods
Learn to purchase foods on a limited budget

Project Area Events

Project Helpers

Iowa 4-H Contact

Laura Paulsen

lpaulsen@iastate.edu