Nutrition and healthy eating

Announcements

SNAP-Ed funding and transition

Federal funding for SNAP-Ed is ending Sept. 30, 2025. Find information about program sunset and transition. Read more...

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OSU Extension provides practical, research-based nutrition education to help Oregonians make healthy food choices and build lifelong habits. We offer classes, recipes and resources that support well-being for individuals, families and communities across the state.

Nutrition Programs

Food Hero (in English)

Food Hero is your go-to site for quick, tasty, healthy recipes and helpful tips. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, you'll find something new for your family to enjoy.

Program

WAVE Sport Nutrition Curriculum

The WAVE Sport Nutrition Curriculum uses youth's interest in sports to teach them about healthy eating and hydration to fuel a healthy, active body for life. This knowledge helps athletes manage body weight and ...

Melinda Manore, Kari Pilolla, Ingrid Skoog, Darcie Hill, Taryn Hand, Siew Sun Wong | Mar 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog

Nutrition Education and Outreach Programs

Family and Community Health educators provide practical, research-based nutrition education and resources to promote healthy food choices. Some of our nutrition programming efforts include the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program...

Program

Featured Resources

Taller de Cultivo de Microplantas

Bienvenido al Taller de Cultivo de Microplantas organizado por el Servicio de Extensión de Oregon State University y Héroe de Alimentos. Este es un taller en línea bilingüe (inglés y español) para principiantes. Siga las lecciones diarias y en dos semanas disfrutará de sabrosas microplantas.

Brooke Edmunds, Joyce Senior Angulo | Project Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Nutrition for Older Adults: Preventing Malnutrition as the Body Ages

Poor nutrition can cause a cascade of health problems for older adults. This guide lists the nutrients of concern for people over 60 — from antioxidants to calcium to water. Learn how eating well can stave off chronic disease.

Dusti Linnell, Cheryl Kirk, Rose Jepson-Sullivan, Christine Mouzong, Sally Bowman | Dec 2021 | OSU Extension Catalog

Sweeteners: nutritive and non-nutritive

There are many sweeteners available for use in food. Here's a look at different sweeteners, broken down by whether they're nutritive — those that provide calories — or non-nutritive — those with low or zero calories.

Nellie Oehler, Stephanie Polizzi | Nov 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog

Foods that Fight Wildfires

Eating foods rich in particular nutrients can help shield your lungs and heart from damage caused by air pollution and wildfire smoke. Learn what variety of healthy foods in your diet will be especially beneficial to consume during a wildfire smoke event. Smoke carries pollutants like heavy metals, and consuming foods rich in iron, calcium, and zinc can help lower these levels in your body, protecting your overall health.

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Photo Credit: JoannaTkaczuk - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Latest Resources

Lunch across America (in English)

From museum magic to school lunch makeovers, The Henry Ford’s team serves up innovation, inspiration and a national movement for edible education. Grab your tray—this one’s delicious!

Michelle Markesteyn, PhD, Rick Sherman | Oct 2025 | Podcast episode

Planting the next decade: One state’s 10-year vision for Farm to School (in English)

How can a 10-year plan spark a movement? Hear how Oregon farmers, schools, and partners grew a bold vision for the future of Farm to School—turning strategy into community-powered change.

Michelle Markesteyn, PhD, Rick Sherman | Oct 2025 | Podcast episode

Sunny side up: A bright future for Farm to School from policy to plate (in English)

From karaoke to policy wins—NFSN’s Sunny Baker brings fire, fun, and the future of farm to school. Tune in for a lively chat on what’s next for school meals, from pandemic lessons to big dreams.

Michelle Markesteyn, PhD, Rick Sherman | Sep 2025 | Podcast episode

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Diabetes Reversed

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in 10 Americans and 13% of adults has diabetes. The resulting high blood sugars damage tissues and can lead to blindness, kidney failure and amputations. Diabetes also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. A plant-based diet can reverse type 2 Diabetes.

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Credit: elenabdesign - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Latest News

OSU students and Extension faculty build a food calculator to teach kids about food and sustainability

Six seniors of the College of Engineering designed an interactive website that shows how what we eat affects our health and the planet through nutritional value, carbon and water footprints.

Grace Xue | Jun 13, 2025 | News story

‘Like a hug’: Food Closet aids recovery after hospital discharge

What happens after a patient leaves the hospital can be just as critical as the care they received inside. In Roseburg, a Food Closet program is helping discharged patients continue healing at home.

Grace Xue | Jun 3, 2025 | News story

Backpack Program provides nutrition support for Grant County students

The program addresses the needs of not only foster care youths, but underserved, impoverished youths that don’t have access to food and other basic resources.

Bonni Booth | Apr 2025 | Impact story

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Explore more resources

Local, regional and community food systems

Home food preservation

Home food safety and storage

Recipes

Physical activity

Youth education resources

Upcoming Events

Nov 15

Cottage Grove: Gifts from the Kitchen

10:00 am - 1:30 pm Cottage Grove, OR

Nov 22

Eugene: Gifts from the Kitchen

10:00 am - 2:00 pm Eugene, OR

Apr 25

Breads, Grains & Gluten Free Options

10:00 am - 2:00 pm Myrtle Point, OR

Meet Our Experts

Katie Ahern

Academic Wage: Healthy Aging Program Coordinator, Family & Community Health

Cindy Brown

4-H/FCH-SNAP Program Coordinator

Contact me for questions on 4-H youth development and healthy living programming in Sherman County as well as healthy living topics such as MyPlate, gardening, food preservation and food storage!

Shawna Holland

FCH/SNAP-Ed Program Coordinator

Please contact me for information about nutrition, physical activity, and food security in Crook County.

Lauren Kraemer

Associate Professor, Family and Community Health

Contact me if you are interested in learning more about partnering with Extension Health faculty to support health and wellbeing programs in Oregon's Central Region.

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What is Veggie Rx?

P: Someone told me I should look more into the Veggie Rx programs across Oregon. Can you tell me more about what they do and how people get involved?

R: View answer | View all featured questions

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