DIRECT TEACHING

• 03.25.09…Food and Fitness training for families of CCRRN
• 04.08.09… Food and Fitness… Heartland Community College… Project Rise
• 04.15.09… Western Ave. Seniors Consumer Nutrition on Shopper Psychology

1) Our state nutrition team is getting requests for a " storage chart available for use by food pantries". They have also requested info in regards to the freshness and sell by dates and if they should/should not distribute this food. They are worried about liability. Do the food banks offer guidelines to the pantries? Kristy Gilmore, Mgr of Food and Agency Resources, Central Illinois Food Bank offered us a specific chart to distribute. www.centralilfoodbank.org

Sampling of consumer questions in food safety….

1) Q: Are potatoes safe to eat after they start to sprout? I know not to eat
the sprouted part itself, but the sprouts are very small and don't cover
the entire potato, so if I cut that part away, along with a generous
margin around it, would that be okay? Also, how can I prevent potatoes
from sprouting in the future?.... A: Potatoes should be stored in a dark location with a temperature of 38 to 40° F . Potatoes will sprout if temperatures are too warm, while they will taste sweet if temperatures are too cool. Do not allow potatoes to freeze. I included a storage fact sheet I put together with more information on the storage of potatoes.

2) Q: I had a ham for Easter. Can I freeze that for two weeks? … A: That would be fine. Some sources say don't freeze smoked and cured foods but on the short term should be fine.

3) Q: I want to avoid the self clean mode on my oven. It smokes and gives me a headache. What can I do to spot clean? A: I gave her earth friendly oven cleaning options.

4) Q: I canned green beans last summer and 1 jar is cloudy. Is it safe?

COORDINATION---General Nutrition

1) Prep for Food and Fitness programs

2) Prep for Consumer Nutrition at Western Ave. Seniors

Sampling of consumer questions….

3) Q: I'm going to a potluck and usually take a meat-type dish. I'd like to try stuffed green peppers this time. Do you have a recipe for that? A: I did & it's one of my favorites.

4) Q: At what temperature do you bake meringue cookies ? A: 200 F

COORDINATION--- Healthy Family Relationships

1) 03.30.09… Cammy Seguin presented "Building A Better Memory" at the Library in Gridley for 12 people (5 males, 7 females). Laurie Kinsella is contact person. They had a grant and paid her $100 Cammy sent her a list of Family Life programs that might be appropriate for that audience.

2) 04.06.09… I directed American Concierge magazine to Cammy Seguin, family life educator, to talk about the importance of family doing things together. Sounds like she is going to also include things about family doing things together to save money in these trying economic times as well. I told her if she has specific questions about Bloomington/Normal after she is done talking with you she's free to talk with me again. (that may have confused her.. but I'm good at confusing people, aren't I? )

COORDINATION--- Care giving Relationships

1) 04.02.09… Caregivers Meeting

News Releases

1. Potato…storage
2. Kitchen psychology...Shopper Psychology and Marketing. It works!
3. Kitchen psychology...Why Do We Buy Products WE Don't Use?
4. Food and Fitness
5. Media...Wax on Vegetables
6. Shopper Psychology… are you a Dipper, Weaver or Perimeter Shopper?
7. Nutrition Inservices
8. Upcoming Programs
9. oung at Heart Hobby Displays
10. 10 Tips for Raising Kids on the Cheap
11. Nutrition and Family Newsletters promotion