Who we are and what we do are relevant in the lives of over 70,000 Minnesotans. School-aged children to older adults connect with our county-based Community Nutrition Educators (CNEs). Together, they engage in one of 4,000+ interactive, research-based educational offerings annually through the SNAP-Ed program. Our program aims to improve the health and well-being of our participants by developing positive attitudes and skills around healthy food and lifestyle choices.

In order to understand the program effects and determine its impact, in 2011 we began to explore the program components that contribute to participant change. What are some ways, besides a participant survey, that program impact can be determined? Is our program able to create long term behavior change in those we serve? Can an educational program based on successful nutrition education implementation and programming be helpful in making these long term behavior changes?

Spring is here and so are celebrations such as graduations, weddings, birthdays, and family gatherings. These celebrations are a great opportunity for families and friends to get together. If you are hosting a party this spring, there are several things you can do to create healthy, active, and low cost celebrations.

When was the last time you went through your kitchen cupboards? Are there some items on the top shelf that need to be used? Have other items worked their way to the back and been forgotten?

Follow our five step program to keep your kitchen cupboards fresh and healthy.

1. Take everything out
This will ensure that you don't miss anything and gives you the chance to sweep out dust and crumbs, and scrub any spills. Have your child help you pile everything on the kitchen table or counters.

Download the calendar (121 K PDF)

If you've been following us on Facebook, you might have heard that March is National Nutrition Month®. This month is a perfect opportunity to take a look at your habits and see what small steps you can take toward better health.

We've made it easy for you: take our National Nutrition Month® Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day Challenge for thirty-one opportunities to make positive changes. You can print this page or this PDF, download a calendar, or follow us on Facebook. Included in the calendar and on our Facebook page are resources to help you complete some of the challenges. You may also find it helpful to dedicate a note book or computer file to recording your observations.

February is Canned Food Month! Canned food can be a great way to save money or time on items that are more expensive or labor intensive when fresh. The nutritional value of canned foods is often similar to fresh or frozen foods, but there are some things to watch out for.

Fruits

Canned is a great way to enjoy fruits when they're not in season. Fruit is packed in water, juice, or syrup. Syrup adds a lot of unwanted calories from sugar. A cup of pears in heavy syrup has 33 grams of sugar, even when drained. Compare that to a cup of pears in water, which has 15 grams sugar.

Bottom line: Choose fruits packed in water or juice, and drain fruits packed in syrup.