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. Growing with Gust Farms #FarmerFocusFriday

    Sep. 04, 2018

    Right off the road in Ottawa Lake, Michigan sits a roadside farm stand that is home to Gust Farms Summer Market and CSA. With multiple stands and wagons, patrons will find everything they need to satisfy their summer produce needs. Aside from strictly produce, Gust Farms offers fresh cut flowers, allowing customers to roam the lush rows of flowers in the garden to pick and arrange their own bouquet.

  2. Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program Offered in Fall 2018 in Lucas County

    Aug. 24, 2018

    The Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program will begin on Friday, September 21 in Lucas County. The program is offered in collaboration with Metroparks Toledo. The program involves both an educational portion and a volunteer portion. Training will be held on Fridays from 9 am - 4 pm through the first Friday in November. Class size is limited.

    To find out more about the program, click here for the brochure.

  3. Shared Legacy Farms #FarmerFocusFriday

    Jul. 18, 2018

    Shared Legacy Farms

  4. Summer Meals Partnership Community Kick-Off

    May. 18, 2018

  5. Ohio State’s Stone Lab Partners With Ohio Foundations On Field Trip Scholarships

    Apr. 09, 2018

    COLUMBUS -The Andrews Foundation and The Toledo Community Foundation to Offer Field Trip Scholarships to Stone Lab

    Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab, Ohio State’s island campus on Lake Erie, are offering scholarships to school groups from grades 5-12 for a one-day Lake Erie Science Field Trip at the lab on Gibraltar Island. The application deadline is April 30, 2018.

  6. Landscape Design Resources for Homeowners

    Apr. 07, 2018

    Spring temperatures might have you thinking about your yard and garden. If you are interested in landscaping, here are a few tips and resources that might be helpful.

    Always remember that Lucas County residents can contact the OSU Extension's Horticulture Hotline, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am - 1 pm. The hotline is run out of the Metroparks Toledo - Toledo Botanical Garden at 5403 Elmer Drive, Toledo, Ohio. Emails can also be directed to lucascountymastergardener@gmail.com

  7. Local Foods, Lucas County: Farm to School Toolkit

    Apr. 06, 2018

    Farm to school initiatives help strengthen the connection communities have with the local food system. Farm to school assists families in making positive food choices, supports the local economy, and contributes to vibrant communities Programs may differ by location but generally include one or more activities in the areas of cafeteria, classroom, or community.

  8. Super Powers for a Super You! Spring on-line email challenge

    Mar. 26, 2018

    Are you interested in focusing on your Super Powers for a healthier you this Spring? Could you use some encouragement and guidance but don’t have time to attend classes? Give our Super Powers for a Super You! wellness challenge a try.

  9. "I don't drink milk, I eat it!"

    Mar. 14, 2018

    Lucas County Program Assistant, Ruguena Modisett has a Feature Story in the Winter 2018 EFNEP Success Stories Newsletter!  Here's the story, told by Ruguena Modisett:

  10. Cultivating Community: Gardens for Good

    Jan. 30, 2018

    Did you know that nearly 1 in 5 Lucas County residents struggle with food insecurity? You can help! If you or someone you know qualifies for SNAP EBT benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), the card can be used to purchase food-producing plants and seeds (vegetables, herbs and fruits) for use in home or community gardens. For more information about using SNAP benefits to buy seeds or plants in Lucas County,  visit here. 

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