The Family Nutrition Program, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, provides educational programs to schools, community groups and agencies throughout Washington County. The Family Nutrition Program, or FNP for short, offers on-site programs and resources that address four major issues–nutrition, safe eating, food budgeting and healthy lifestyles.

Topics like proper hand washing, healthy snacking, reading food labels, and staying fit can be presented at area schools. Other topics like low-cost meal cooking, healthy food substitutions, feeding young children, and understanding portion sizes can be delivered at community centers, churches, libraries, senior nutrition sites, and other locations in the county.

"Our goal is to help Washington County residents who are on a limited budget improve their eating habits and overall health," explains Amanda Tongate, local FNP coordinator with the county U of I Extension office in Nashville. "Our educational programs can be tailored to most any age group. We also offer fact sheets, recipes, and the Wellness Ways newsletter."

The Family Nutrition Program is funded with Food Stamp Administrative funds by the Food Nutrition and Consumer Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To find out more, call University of Illinois Extension in Washington County, 618-327-8881.