Keep them playing, keep them safe

I distinctly remember falling off a scooter as a child and scraping my knees on the hot concrete. They took a couple of weeks to heal, but the injury could have been prevented if I had been wearing knee pads. While it may seem like wearing extra equipment or following certain rules takes too much … Read More


Buy local, eat local at the farmers' market

Over the years, local Farmer’s Markets have become increasingly popular. They are great sources for purchasing fresh fruits, vegetables and other food items such as homemade jams, etc. Depending on where you live (rural or urban town/city), farmer’s markets vary in size, location, times in which they are open and products sold. Some are very … Read More


Handwashing: More than just clean hands

Those of us interested in simple ways to keep our families healthy already know the role proper hand washing plays in preventing the spread of germs. But hand washing plays another role that’s not often considered when fighting the battle to keep families healthy. In that role, hand washing is instrumental in fighting the rise of antibiotic resistance. What’s … Read More


Keep Your Food Safe This Grilling Season

It’s that time of year! The sounds of laughter and smells of grilling fill the air, as we spend more time outdoors with family and friends. As we gear up for our Memorial Day weekend plans, be aware that bacteria enjoy grilling too! The warm weather is the perfect environment for bacteria to rapidly multiple. … Read More


It's Strawberry Season!

Strawberries are grown year round, but the peak season is right now – April through July. Strawberries are delicious and nutritious. One cup is only 50 calories, has 3 grams of fiber, and contains 100% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.I enjoy the natural sweetness of the strawberries by themselves. They make a … Read More


It's Screen Free Week!

It’s Screen-Free Week! What does this mean for you and your family? It’s time to get out of the house and have fun! Try to spend less time in front of the television and more time enjoying each other’s company. Planning fun activities for children can give them something to look forward to and keep … Read More


Plan for a Healthy and Active Summer Break

It seems the most anticipated time of year for my kids is summer break. I get it…no more waking up at the break of dawn, no teachers, no school work, and no homework. But it can also mean no healthy school meals, PE or recess, or afterschool sports…and this may lead to unnecessary weight gain … Read More


Celebrate the Earth and Stretch Your Food Dollar!

Today is Earth Day and what better way to celebrate than by saving some green by going green with your grocery shopping. These tips adapted from Alice Henneman, Extension Educator at the University of Nebraska will take you beyond recycling the various packages that your food comes in and will help you save money, adding … Read More


Meals on the Go: Pack Them Safely

The bagged lunch looks much different today than it once did. Most of us felt limited to carrying the traditional sandwich, chips and drink because of safety reasons. Although this is a good option, when repeatedly eaten, it gets pretty boring! There are many different lunch options including leftovers of a favorite main dish that … Read More


Tips for Managing Stress as a Family

Webster’s Dictionary defines stress as “a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc.” According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, some stress can be positive (in that it helps one develop the skills needed to cope with different situations in life) and some stress can be … Read More


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Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

North Carolina State University
Agricultural and Human Sciences Department

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College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES)

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