Discover the Power of Nutrition

See Lucas County Extension promote National Nutrition Month on WTOL's Good Day program.

Each year during March, we celebrate National Nutrition Month®, which is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It invites everyone to learn about making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

The theme for National Nutrition Month® 2026 is Discover the Power of Nutrition, which highlights the power nutrition has in helping individuals and communities thrive.

Our food and beverage choices have the power to help us thrive. To get the most benefit from the foods and beverages you choose throughout the week, consider the following tips:

  • Choose healthful foods from all the food groups.
  • Alternate your food choices for a variety of nutrients. Including a variety of foods within each food group can help you to get the nutrients you need. 
  • Avoid fad diets that promote unnecessary restrictions. They may advertise quick and easy solutions, but they often don’t promote healthy or sustainable habits. 

Resources can be a big obstacle when it comes to healthy eating. But there are things you can do to stay nourished on a limited budget. 

  • Make a grocery list and stick to it so you buy only what you need. Check store sales when you’re planning your meals.
  • Modify recipes to use less expensive ingredients – for example, replace some or all the meat in a soup or casserole with beans, or use frozen or canned vegetables in place of fresh ones.
  • Learn cooking skills that work with the tools you have. Know how to prepare a variety of dishes and make use of budget-friendly ingredients.
  • If you’re eligible, consider signing up for community resources, such as SNAP, WIC, and local food pantries. Visit our Food Assistance Resource Guide to learn more.

Contact your local EFNEP team to learn where free programs are delivered in your community. 

  1. Predictions of Frost on the Horizon

    May. 07, 2020

    Sounds like a frost or two might be in our futures. 

    Temperatures predicted for Friday evening (May 8) and early next might deep below the freezing mark. Some say we might even see some snow - no accumulations are expected. 

    But want will those temperatures do to the plants in our landscapes and gardens?

  2. Teacher Appreciation Day 2020

    May. 05, 2020

    May 5th, 2020.

    Today is National Teacher Day and it lands during Teacher Appreciation Week. The Ohio Department of Education reminds us that, “this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week finds our state's educators navigating a new set of challenges and showcasing their ever-present instructional resilience, ingenuity and creativity.”

  3. Tis The Season for Soil Testing

    May. 04, 2020

    We have been receiving a lot of questions about soil testing this spring. Here is some information that we hope you find helpful! 

    Does your office test soil? Unfortunately our office does not have the equipment to test soil in the office. In fact, the lab at OSU that used to test soil no longer provides that service. There are many public and private labs that do test soil. Here is a link to a FactSheet that is very informative about how-419-, why, and where you can get your soil tested. 

  4. Celebrate with the May Day Challenge

    Apr. 28, 2020

    This Friday is May 1st - also known as May Day. 

    Has anyone ever celebrated May Day? While this day of celebration has a long and assorted history, many celebrations and festivities have been observed worldwide, with many designed to welcome the changing of the seasons and to celebrate spring. Here in the United States (US), May Day took on an additional meaning and was referred to as an International Workers’ Day which grew out of the labor movement and an 8-hour workday in our country.

  5. Welcome Jordan Beck, New Water Quality Associate for Lucas, Fulton and Williams Counties

    Apr. 20, 2020

    We would like to welcome Jordan Beck to OSU Extension.

    Jordan is the Water Quality Extension Associate for Lucas, Fulton and Williams Counties.  Jordan will be working on farmer demonstrations, research, and outreach with impacts on water quality.  Jordan has interest in livestock/manure management, nutrient use efficiency, and cover crop demonstrations and trials.  Prior to his water quality position, Jordan has worked as a livestock nutritionist and has experience in livestock management and marketing. 

  6. OSU Extension Offices Are Closed Until Further Notice

    Mar. 18, 2020

    The Ohio State University Extension Offices in Lucas County in One Government Center and at the Toledo Botanical Garden are CLOSED until further notice.

    While our office is closed, our staff will continue to work diligently to serve Lucas County and be available to our clientele.

    General Inquiries: 419-213-4254
    Family & Consumer Sciences (Patrice Powers-Barker): 419-574-0983
    Ag/Horticulture (AmyStoneand Master Gardener Vols): 419-574-0986
    SNAP Ed/EFNEP Community Nutrition: 419-574-0985
    4-H: 419-574-0980

  7. COVID-19 Myths: Busted by Ohio State University

    Mar. 18, 2020

    Let's get down to the facts about the coronavirus. Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center busts some common COVID-19 myths.

    Check out this video from Ohio State University - https://www.facebook.com/osu/videos/229548974853685/UzpfSTIwODE3NTc0OTAxNDoxMDE1ODM5ODA3MTQ4OTAxNQ/

  8. Ohio Families, Let's Spring Into Action

    Mar. 14, 2020

    This week Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that K-12th grade schools will be closed for three weeks (Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 3rd) to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This applies to all public, community, and private K-12 schools in the state but does not apply to Ohio’s childcare system such as daycare centers and home-based childcare providers.

  9. Extension at Ebeid Center

    Mar. 09, 2020

    OSU Extension, Lucas County is pleased to partner with the Ebeid Center to offer once a month lunchtime classes related to gardening and healthy living in 2020. Join one class or come to all of them. RSVP (free) online through bit.ly/EbeidRSVP

    4th Thursdays of the month 12-1pm at the Ebeid Center, 1806 Madison Avenue, Toledo, OH. 2nd floor above Market on the Green.

  10. Metroparks Toledo Recognized as Friend of OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program

    Nov. 22, 2019

    Earlier in November, Metroparks Toledo was a recipient of a Friend of OSU Extension Master Garden Volunteer Program. Dr. Cathann Kress, Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences presented the awards at the 2019 State Master Gardener Conference held at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on the campus of OSU.

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