Dairy Farm/Locovore Brunch

    Our trip to the dairy farm was very interesting. I learned a lot about the way milk goes from the cows to the grocery store shelves. I have to admit that I feel a lot more confident that the milk I am drinking is safe considering the rigorous guidelines that dairy farms like the one we visited have to follow. It was amazing to me how "clean" everything on the farm was considering it's home many cows and is not a place that I would think of as being clean. I always knew that farmers worked very hard, but after visiting the dairy farm, I appreciated their work even more. I also found it amazing that the whole family pitched in and worked together to make the family farm a successful business.

     On Thursday, we had our locovore brunch and it was amazing to see all the good food everyone prepared from local products. There was so much good food in one place, and I thought that it was a good time. Buying local products is beneficial to our local economy and I would like to try to buy as many local products as I can now and throughout life as I move away from Athens.

Dairy Counsil

On Tuesday, Karen, the spokeswoman from The National Dairy Counsil came to give us an intriguing presentation about the program. I did not know anything about the counsel previously, and I learned a lot of new information from her, not only about the Dairy Counsil, but also about becoming an R.D., internships, and other resources available for our major. The National Dairy Counsil provides science-based research information to promote a healthier society, as well as up-to-date and reliable information for nutrition and health professionals, the consumers, media, and educators, among others. They promote the role of healthy dairy products in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and also educate on the dietary guidelines such as MyPlate, and where all of the food categories fall. The Dairy Counsil, as well as My Plate recommends at least three servings of low-fat dairy products per day. The Dairy Counsil is involved in a lot more than I had ever known, and have even teamed up with the NFL to promote physical activity in children. The NDC also funds many different programs promoting health and well-being. The NDC is funded by local farmers and producers.
     Karen is a registered dietitian and was a former president of the American Dietetic Association (now AND) and is currently the Nutrition Affairs Director in the Ohio sector of the National Dairy Counsil.

Good Earth Farm

The trip to Good Earth farm was one of my favorite "field trips" of the quarter. Although I have been out on the farm to volunteer in the gardens before, there was a lot that I did not know about. The farm is beautiful and is funded primarily by grants and all of the produce is donated to food pantries and served at the home to visitors, volunteers and the people who live there. Good Earth Farm is primarily an educational farm, and enables them to teach other people about their livestock and growing practices. They have chickens, cows, sheep, and many different types of fruits and vegetables and I think it's awesome :)

WIC

     On Tuesday a woman who was a graduate of Ohio University came in to talk to us about the WIC program. I am already fairly familiar with WIC, however, some of her experiences and information were very interesting to me. The speaker talked a lot about the nursing of children who are participants of WIC and the requirements to get baby formula and for how long. All of that was new to me, and she seemed like an expert because she just had a child of her own. WIC is federally-funded and she stated that her job requires a lot of paperwork. Basically, if a prospective participant does not meet all of the guidelines on the form that is filled out, they can not participate in the program at that time.

Go Green!

    I really enjoyed taking a drip to the compost site and EcoHouse which is a part of Ohio University that I had never had the opportunity to visit before. I never even knew where the compost site was! Annie Laurie Cadmus was our guide during our tour of the facilities and was very interesting and informative. Her job is partially funded by a grant for the compost facility. Funding from Ohio University also helps to sustain the compost and EcoHouse as part of the learning experience at OU.  I learned about the techniques that are used to compost and here at our facility, they use an in-vessel system. Food from the Central Foods Facility as well as Shively Dining Hall are currently are composting, by placing their food waste into separate trash cans that are picked up everyday and taken to the compost site off of Dairy Lane. Eventually, all of the dining halls will participate as space at the compost site expands with their new equipment. The compost is used for landscaping around OU as well as the intramural fields.

    The next stop was the EcoHouse where three students live and maintain the property while learning about what it means to live a sustainable lifestyle. Some of the energy that powers the house comes from the solar panels, and heat also comes from a thermic panel. The students that live there will take projects that they are interested in relating to sustainability in some way. There are also gardens around the EcoHouse where many different herbs and plants are placed. Garden plots are also available near the EcoHouse and are free-of-charge!

OSU Extension

     On Tuesday we went to the OSU Extension Office located near the Fairgrounds. We heard from two employees about different jobs that they offer as well as how we can become involved. First, Brittany Pangburn informed us about 4-H which I did not know much about before except that I thought it was about raising and then selling livestock at the fair to be eaten (not really my thing). However, Brittany explained that there are many different aspects and topics of 4-H such as farming, agriculture, as well as family and consumer sciences, which includes things like fashion, cooking, sewing/quilting, etc. 4-H participants can also participate in projects for drug/alcohol awareness which sounded like it was a fairly new addition. Brittany interned for Disney, which I had never thought of or heard of anyone doing before and she said that she had a great experience. Anyone can apply to be a coordinator of 4-H, regardless of degree which could be something to keep in mind for people who enjoy these types of activities. Her job is funded by the city commissioner by federal and state dollars as well as fees from 4-H participants. Many 4-H programs have been cut because of lack of funding in many communities.
     Next, we were able to hear more about the history and mission of OSU Extension from Joyce Shriner.Joyce is the extension educator, and 4-H Youth Development Hocking County Director. As stated above, her job is funded by state and federal dollars, and the allocation of money is often hard to justify for each county. Joyce informed us that there are different programs that they provide, some of which are required by certain assistance programs in some counties. One of these programs is the Family Nutrition Program (FNP) which discusses health and nutrition emphasizing MyPlate, grocery shopping, and food safety practices. The extension office also does programs for money management, which we participated in an example during the session. It was very eye opening to see the types of small, everyday items that many people spend their money on. A drink from the vending machine doesn't seem like a lot on a day-to-day basis but it adds up to lots of money in the long run!

WellWorks Events and More!

    Heidi Anderson is an education and events coordinator at WellWorks within Ohio University. Heidi Anderson is a registered dietitian who offers health coaching, coordinates WellWorks events at OU and in the community, works with the Risk Reduction Program, and provides news letters and other interesting and informative health information such as weekly newsletters and meatless mondays. Anderson has many different roles and responsibilities than most people would think an R.D. would have, which prompts my thoughts on everything that I am capable with doing as an R.D. in my future career. I have realized there is more to a dietitian's job than simply nutrition counseling and working strictly in a clinical setting. I first met Heidi while volunteering at a cooking event for WellWorks, and have worked with her several times since then. The cooking demonstrations are some of my favorite activities to attend as a WellWorks volunteer, and a lot of work gets put into them, by not only Heidi, but also Francie Astrom and others who are associated with WellWorks! (Below are some of the dishes that myself and other members of WellWorks and volunteers made for the most recent cooking demonstration at UMC for learning how to move towards a more plant based diet!) Yummmm! (Below are some of the dishes that myself and other members of WellWorks and volunteers made for the most recent cooking demonstration at UMC for learning how to move towards a more plant based diet!) Yummm!

                                                          

Meijer Healthy Living

     On Tuesday, our class had the opportunity to listen to a registered dietitian who works for Meijer's Grocery Stores. It was interesting for me because I do not know much about the scope of the specific jobs that grocery store dietitians are involved with, and I also do not have a Meijers close to me. The woman that came in to talk to us was Janine Faber, MEd, RD, LD and her job title was a "Meijer Healthy Living Advisor". Janine was incredibly enthusiastic and very interesting and fun to listen to because I could tell that she was passionate about her career and really enjoys her job. Her job is funded by marketing promotions and also from sponsorships from varying companies whose products are promoted by Meijer. Some examples of products that may support her job would be companies such as Tropicana and Del Monte, among many others. Many products aspire to be part of the Meijer Healthy Living program, however, Meijer has the final say, and some products are rejected if they do not meet the standards of the program.  
    The goal of the Meijer Healthy Living Program is to increase sales and promote customer loyalty by creating and communicating health solutions and product knowledge to shoppers. It appears that Janine and her team do this in many different ways. Currently they sponsor 90 different community events, over 95 media appearances, and reach over 8,000,000 people! Community events include health fairs and expositions, cooking demonstrations, and other presentations. They also host in-store activities such as meal planning tips and other types of cooking activities. In the media, Meijer talks about how to prepare a $10 meal, and are also active in the Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest social media sites. Their website, mealbox.com gives ideas for weekly healthy menus which features weekly featured products, as well as kid-friendly and allergen friendly options. They also provide diabetes meal planning for their customers which can greatly improve the ease of managing the condition.

     Lastly, I learned more about the NuVal education program. I had heard of NuVal before, however, she  was able to explain it more in depth. This program ranks different products by numbers to let consumers make more nutritious choices and compare products in the store. I would like to see more grocery stores attain this system because I have not seen it in any stores I have been to so far, and I think that it would be very interesting and useful!

Ohio Board of Dietetics

     The Ohio Board of Dietetics is responsible for protection against malpractice and unethical behavior in the field. The Ohio Board of dietetics is number 4759 of the Revised Code for the Practice of Dietetics.The Board of Dietetics sets the standard for nutrition professionals and takes care of the licensure and board exams required to practice. Licensure laws vary depending on the state, however knowing the licensure laws to practice is critical. The board is also responsible for handing complaints relating to the practice of dietetics, providing options and recommendations for continuing education .
    The board meeting are public, and may be an interest to me if there is a dietetic-related issue that will affect public policies. The website for the Ohio Board of Dietetic association provides valuable resources for brushing up on the laws, and knowing what is expected of me in my future career.

One Busy R.D.

     On Tuesday, Francie Astrom, the R.D. from WellWorks came to talk to us about her job responsibilities as a dietitian here at Ohio University. WellWorks is currently located in Grover Center on the first floor, however, it was originally located in Peden Stadium on the first floor, with a great view of the football field and overlooking the bike path!

      I currently volunteer for Francie, however, I never realized how much she actually does. I do not know how one person can juggle so many different responsibilities, and do a great job at all of them! She is definitely a role model, and what I aspire to be one day as my career takes off. Francie's salary and budget is supported primarily from University Wellness funds, and partially by WellWorks member fees. Members can enjoy many different programs and have access to a variety of valuable resources. WellWorks provides massages, nutritional counseling, personal training, and as well as numerous other programs at Ohio University and in the community. Programming involves more than just fitness programs and is wellness focused versus a medical-based model. Wellness-focused programming emphasizes ways to live the healthiest YOU can be, keeping in mind individual characteristics such as age, sex, background, family history, and other current conditions. There is no optimal health standard for everyone, and it must be kept in mind that health and wellness plans must be personalized to each individual person.
     Francie is also part of other WellWorks sponsored programs such as HeartWorks; which focuses on cardiac and pulmonary rehab, Risk Reduction, Worksite Wellness; which takes blood pressures of OU employees around campus, and Food For Life; which aims to educate people on moving towards a plant-based diet. There are many other programs and activities that Francie is a part of such as conducting grocery store tours, nutrition analysis for OU sports teams, and Healthy Ohio.
     The R.D. is an integral part to WellWorks, and it was that way since WellWorks was originally established. The R.D. is responsible for keeping up on current health information and literature and educating the community.


                                                                
    

So Many Programs, So Little Time!

     Thursday I was introduced to a variety of different food programs in the United States, and I honestly never could have imagined how many different programs are out there that I had never even heard of before! There were probably only several out the entire class that talked about programs that I had previous knowledge about. I enjoyed reading everyone's handouts and learned about programs involving school systems, the elderly, and even pottery making in the Empty Bowls Program! It's amazing how billions of dollars goes into funding of these programs every year, and so many people really rely on these programs for a majority of their meals and social support systems. I particularly found the School Nutrition Programs and the Empty Bowls Program interesting because I find it awesome that so many children are able to get full meals once or twice during the day at school when they may not always have good, nutritious meals on their table at home. The Empty Bowls Program is neat because people can come and make their own bowls with the help of potters, and then have a community meal together and keep their handcrafted bowls. I would be very interested in implementing this type of program in Athens, in a community that I may live in the future!

                                                                     

SNAP Program and Food Assistance

   
On Tuesday, Nick Claussen from the department of Jobs and Family Services came to our class to talk to us about food assistance programs, specifically the SNAP program. Claussen holds the title of Community Relations Coordinator as a part of Jobs and Family Services.  I learned a lot about the dimensions of his job, and also how SNAP benefits are distributed. SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and I learned that it is truly intended to be a supplemental assistance program because it is designed in a way that eligible households receive food for about three weeks. These families and households typically turn to food pantries towards the end of the month when their SNAP benefits run out and food is often cut short.  

     The mission of SNAP is to provide food and nutrition education to people who are eligible and facilitate their ability to move towards and healthier and more self-sufficient diet. I find it interesting that this is the "mission" as stated by the USDA newsroom, because according to Nick Claussen, there are really no nutritional guidelines for food, and cheap food is typically not as healthy. This is contradictory in my opinion, and I wonder if the program is really carrying out their intended purpose and mission. The SNAP program is funded and monitored by the state and federal governments and serves about 14,000 people/year. Prospective participants of the program must apply and must have a job in which they work at least 20 hours/week, and have a gross monthly income at or under 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. I did not know that in order to be eligible for food assistance that you have to work a minimum number of hours per week. However, the speaker informed me that if a person that is in need of assistance is not currently employed, Jobs and Family Services will find a project or job for them to do so they can receive the assistance that they need. With the SNAP benefits, there are requirements on what you can and cannot buy. For example, you cannot buy pet food, alcohol, tobacco, or hot food with SNAP benefits. For households with children under five years of age or younger, they can be eligible for cash assistance in order to help may for bills, or other monetary expenses besides food assistance.

     Several roles of an R.D. in this program could be in the nutrition education process as well as the implementation of nutritional guidelines for the program, especially since Claussen stated that there are currently no nutritional guidelines in the SNAP program.
   

Making a Difference

     After watching the video about a Farmer's Market program, I realized how important a farmer's market can be to a community. A farmers market brings people together and supports the local economy. More importantly, this specific farmers market was located near a medical center and made it easy for community members to walk to. It also encouraged people to come to the market after their medical appointments, saving time and decreasing transportation issues for people who may not have a car or other reliable form of transportation.

    What was neat about this farmers market and many others who are now following the trend, is that vouchers were given to low-income community members by their doctors so they could use them at the market to buy fresh fruits and vegetables that they may not have had access to otherwise. I also learned that the Athens Farmers Market has a similar system, where people are able to use their SNAP benefits in the form of a card (Ohio Direction Card) that can be swiped at the market and community members have the capability to earn more money by using their SNAP benefits on fruits and vegetables, encouraging healthy choices.
The link below is an article published by The Post that explains the use of food assistance at the Athens Farmers Market that I found interesting;
Athens farmers accept food assistance | The Post

My tax money goes where?!

    On Tuesday, we discussed laws and policies that affect the health of our citizens, and what our tax dollars are used for. I never thought about how the health status of Americans as a whole were measured before, and I learned that NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) is used to evaluate where we stand on all aspects of health and nutrition levels. After the census is taken, several months later NHANES "trailers" travel around the country and take numerous measurements, blood tests, etc. which is used by researchers to determine trends. 

    I think one of the main points that I took away from Tuesday's lecture was the discussion of the diagram which depicted where all of our tax dollars go. I found this very interesting because many people never actually realize what their tax dollars are paying for. Although I do not directly take care of my taxes currently, I will in the future, and I find it very important to know what my money is paying for. This is important in elections and policy making and the more I am aware, the better decisions I will make in terms of voting and being an active citizen. I never realized that millions of dollars go toward research and development and weaponry for the armed forces! ...Interesting....    

An Eye-Opening Week!

     Since working with Dr. Holben on a project dealing primarily with food insecurity and interventions to reduce food insecurity in Appalachia it has really opened my eyes to the issue. I do not believe that many people know about the true food security issues that many individuals face, especially in Appalachian Ohio, only minutes from the campus of Ohio University. We talked in class about how to measure food security in the United States and Canada and after observing the maps depicting the degrees of food security status among the states, and I think many people were a little bit surprised that Ohio was among the states with low food security. By raising awareness on the issue, I believe that we can all make an impact especially in our local communities. Some barriers to food security that could be broken down potentially is with nutrition education, produce intervention programs, and getting people to become self-sufficient in the knowledge of how to get fresh food and properly prepare and store it. 

     This past weekend, I worked at the GoodWorks "Friday Night Life" where I had the opportunity to prepare a meal and socialize with community members who are faced with food security and poverty issues. I had a great time, and realized how important social interactions are to people and how food brings people together. I wish more people removed themselves from the OU Campus and branched out into the community where they can see many of the issues that we have been discussing first hand. 

Trip to the Community Garden

    Today we got our first look at our plots at the community garden in Athens. A community garden is defined as any piece of land gardened by a group of people, and can be used to grow flowers, vegetables, fruits, etc, however, ours will be primarily vegetables (and weeds for now!) that we will be using throughout the duration of this quarter to grow vegetables with our groups!
    Maghan Lunsford, the Interim Fitness Center Coordinator at WellWorks showed us around the garden so that we could become more familiar with our responsibilities. She showed us where to find tools, water, and other essentials for our gardens. My group took one look at our garden plot, and realized we definitely have some work to do in terms of weeding, in hopes that it may look more along the lines of the following picture!

     I have a small (very small) amount of knowledge in gardening, which I have received from my mother and my grandmother. My grandmother grows a very successful garden consisting of many different vegetables such as sweet peas, lettuce, baby tomatoes, regular tomatoes, and beets, as well as several different types of squash and peppers. After receiving so many good vegetables from her garden, it has inspired me and made me excited to learn how to maintain and grow my own garden, and I am excited to get started!

March 29th: The Line and Food Insecurity

     Today's class was emotional for me because we watched the video "The Line" featured on 60 Minutes. The film hit close to home because it was filmed in Appalachian Ohio. Many people do not realize that hunger and food insecurity is occurring in America, much less in Ohio right outside of our small college town bubble of Ohio University. Listening to the interviews with people who must wait in line for free food was heartbreaking for me, mainly because of the sadness and feelings of helplessness in their faces and their voices. I could not even imagine growing up in a household where $74/week must pay the bills, gas to get to work, and provide food for a family of 4 or more. The most surprising thing to me was that many of the people waiting in line for food were part of the working class. Even hard-working individuals are not able to provide enough for their families and resort to food pantries, and other free or reduced cost food programs. Especially after working on a project dealing with food insecurity and delivering food to low-income and poverty-stricken homes, this was very eye-opening to me and allowed me to witness these issues first hand. More programs and assistance is needed and I hope that in the near future, the amount of hungry individuals will decrease and more people will become aware of this serious issue millions of individuals are currently experiencing.

What is Community Nutrition all About?

      Before I walked into Community Nutrition class on Tuesday I really was not sure what I was in for, other than what I had heard from previous classes about eating on $2 a day. After class I had a deeper understanding of what community nutrition is all about. Community nutrition encompasses a number of different things such as sustainability, support for local foods, and moving towards a healthier diet and lifestyle with assistance of our neighbors, friends, family, or others who share similar interests. Community Nutrition can also be looked at on a governmental level, thinking about laws and regulations that govern our societies in terms of funding and agricultural standards, for example.
     I am excited to garden in this class, and I hope to learn more about gardening procedures and when to plant specific foods in order to result in an edible end product. I have gardened before, but I feel that I will gain a deeper understanding of techniques and gardening practices in this class. I am also looking forward to working in small groups on the project and meeting new people. Lastly, I am looking forward to the Locavore Brunch because I believe that eating local foods is incredibly important and I love to cook!