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Nutrition and healthy eating

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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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Description:

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

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 Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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

Microgreens Grow Along

Welcome to the Microgreens Grow Along workshop hosted by Oregon State University Extension and Food Hero. This is a bilingual (English & Spanish) online workshop for beginners. Follow the daily lessons and in two weeks you'll be enjoying tasty microgreens.

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 Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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 Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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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Latest Resources

From Heat-and-Serve to “Jedi-Level” Scratch Cooking: A Kitchen Transformation Story

Scratch cooking, kitchen swarming, and heart-led leadership—Greg Christian shows how joyful teamwork can transform school cafeterias into efficient, good-food powerhouses.

Michelle Markesteyn, PhD, Rick Sherman | Jan 2026 | Podcast episode Peer reviewed (Gray level)

When podcasts collide: the school garden podcast crossover event

A garden-geek crossover blooms! The School Garden Podcast crew joins us for stories, laughs, loofah chaos, and a debate on which state grows the sassiest young gardeners.

Michelle Markesteyn, PhD, Rick Sherman | Dec 2025 | Podcast episode Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Tools are not toys: creating the first student designed school garden tool and branding

What happens when kids redesign the garden experience? This episode explores youth-led tools, authentic characters, and the movement making school gardens places of confidence and connection.

Michelle Markesteyn, PhD, Rick Sherman | Nov 2025 | Podcast episode Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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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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Latest News

Garden challenge helps Oregon families grow food, skills and health

Grow This! initiative boosts food access, nutrition skills and classroom learning

Lauren Tobey | Nov 2025 | Impact story

‘Library of Things’ food preservation collections benefit Oregonians

Library of Things collections provide free equipment rentals to library patrons for limited time periods, allowing bulky or expensive pieces of equipment to circulate through the community to be shared and enjoyed by many residents.

Jared Hibbard-Swanson | Nov 2025 | Impact story

OSU students create food calculator linking diet, water use and climate

Interactive tool helps kids explore nutrition and environmental impact.

Grace Xue | Jun 12, 2025 | News story

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Upcoming Events

Apr 25

Breads, Grains & Gluten Free Options

10:00 am - 2:00 pm Myrtle Point, OR
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Meet Our Experts

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.

Jung Kwon
Associate Professor of Food Science & Technology
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Ask Extension

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

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What is Veggie Rx?

Q: 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?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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