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Food & Health

Food & Health

Whether young or old, male or female, tall or short, everyone needs to eat. Food is the cornerstone for survival. We also know that what and how much you eat and drink affects your health. Everyone can afford to eat better, and everyone needs to be active, especially with skyrocketing healthcare costs. Food, nutrition, and health are important for each and every person:

  • Almost one in five children is considered overweight.
  • Foodborne illnesses account for 76 million illnesses each year.
  • Seven of every 10 Americans die from preventable chronic diseases like heart disease.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Programs offer education on a wide variety of topics to help you, your children, your schools, and your communities eat better, move more, and save money. We put research-based information to work. 

A sample of programs includes:

  • Cooking on a budget with Suppers Made Simple and the Family Nutrition Program
  • Childhood obesity prevention with Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids and Food Friends and Mighty Moves™
  • Safe food preparation and handling training to prevent foodborne illness, including ServSafe® for food service workers at restaurants and institutions and Cooking for Crowds™ for folks preparing food for large groups
  • Buying and preparing local and seasonal food
  • Nutrition for people with diabetes, including Dining with Diabetes™
  • Weight management
  • Food preservation

Contact

For questions regarding food and health tips, advice, and research, please contact your county's unit office or browse through the Food & Health topics for specific contact information.