OSU Extension Nutrition Education Program

Join an amazing group of volunteers and become a Food Pantry Food Educator for the Nutrition Education Program at OSU Extension Lane County!OSU Extension faculty work with business people, growers, foresters, youth, and community leaders. They see first-hand what’s working, and what’s not working, in Oregon communities. Extension educators consult with scientists at Oregon State University, where they focus their research on the real issues important to real people. Results from that research circle back to the community through Extension programs. Knowledge grows from this cycle of reaching out and engaging the people who use it. The Nutrition Education Program (NEP) at OSU Extension Lane County is a research-based program that aims to empower those receiving emergency food improve the nutritional quality of their diets. We do this by offering healthy and inexpensive food samples, budget stretching tips, and nutrition education.Volunteers are integral to this program. Volunteer involvements include:

1. Pick up a pre-prepared bag of food ingredients to make our “recipe of the month”. This is chosen off of the Food Hero website at www.foodhero.org.

2. Ingredients are used to make our recipe of the month item in your home and then brought to your assigned food pantry located in Lane County.

3. Along with providing these quick, healthy, and inexpensive meals, volunteers are also trained to educate pantry clients about: nutrition, budget-stretching tips, and leading healthy and active lives.

4. Volunteers are also welcome to help with food preparation and administrative tasks.