Food, Nutrition & Health

Food, glorious food. For some it’s a sensory pleasure, for others just a fact of life, but for all of us eating has an important impact on our health and wellbeing. The University of Maryland Cooperative Extension has educational programs, applied research projects, and lots of information on food-related subjects ranging from food safety and nutrition breakthroughs to healthy eating on a limited budget. Check out the links below to learn more.

Health & Fitness

African American Women's Health Study
This study looks at birthweight, current weight, and type 2 diabetes in U.S.-born African American women who are 38-57 years of age.
Walk Across Maryland
Walk Across Maryland is a walking promotion program of the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension to encourage youth and adults to walk at least 600 miles, the equivalent of walking across Maryland from Cumberland to Crisfield and back again. This eight-week program can be initiated in the classroom or individually through this interactive website which allows walkers to track their progress on a virtual 600-mile walk across the scenic state of Maryland.

Nutrition Education

Obesity: A Public Health Issue
Public policy makers across the state are struggling to find ways to prevent or reduce obesity-related diseases and health conditions. This website was created to serve all seeking to learn more about obesity as a public health issue.
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
EFNEP's mission is to help limited-income families and youth acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behavior changes necessary to maintain nutritionally sound diets and enhance personal development.
Food Stamp Nutrition Education
FSNE is a nutrition education program at Maryland Cooperative Extension.
Nutrition & Health
Extension nutrition education programs encourage eating and exercise habits that are consistent with national nutrition policy recommendations designed to promote health and lower chronic disease risks.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
This 7MB PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Mark Kantor can be downloaded and viewed for personal education or for use in conjunction with classroom activites.

Food Security

Food Safety Topics
Extension programs in food safety focus on consumers as well as on food industry and food service personnel.
Food Safety Holiday Tips
Four simple tips for safe holiday cooking.
Center for Agro Security and Emergency Management
CAEM is a collaborative effort between AGNR and the MDA to coordinate communication and education efforts for the agricultural community to insure the agricultural and food security of the state and the nation.
Maryland Food Safety Services
Commercial site provides services for a fee: - Certificate program for Food Protection Managers. - Food Safety Regulatory and Risk Management Consulting. - Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Training and Plan Development.
Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
The Institute is the foundation of public and private partnerships that will provide the scientific basis for ensuring a safe, wholesome food supply as well as provide the infrastructure for contributions to national food safety programs and international food standards.

General Resources

Food, Nutrition & Health Publications

For more information, contact Dick Byrne

Last updated: 03/10/2009

What do Katie O'Malley, cover crops, and onthefarmradio.com have in common?
Answer: The Grow It Eat It Campaign! Onthefarmradio.com, promotes cover crops and the Grow It Eat It campaign with Katie O'Malley's Kitchen Garden. - posted Nov 19, 2009

MDA features Grow It Eat It in November eNewsletter.
Maryland's 1st Lady Katie O'Malley plants a cover crop in her kitchen garden with the help of Master Gardeners as part of the Grow It Eat It campaign. - posted Nov 17, 2009

Safe Canning Workshop
A two-day Understanding Acidified Foods Workshop on October 29-30, 2009, will provide businesses with the special training needed to safely can salsa,pickles, and other acidified foods for sale. - posted Oct 14, 2009

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