Lunch and Learn

To introduce myself as the new County Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, the Lunch and Learn program was started in May of 2017 as a bi-monthly program held at the local extension office. To accommodate working people, Lunch and Learn is a hourly program that meets from noon to 1:00 pm.

 The program consist of recipe tasting, information about nutrition, demonstrations, and locally grown commodities. Recipes are usually taken from the Plate It Up recipe file, with the main ingredient focusing on Farmers Market produce. Discussing fruits and vegetables has encourage participants to shop the local Farmers Market. By sampling the Plate It Up recipes, participants said they are more willing to try that particular ingredient and try making the recipe at home. 

 All participants said they have increased their intake of vegetables and have made at least one recipe at home. One participant said she is now eating blueberries since having the opportunity to taste them in several recipes.

Attendance averages 14 people per session. These include one Hispanic who has become a homemaker member and three Peruvians. Several volunteers have taught the Lunch and Learn session including the ANR agent, two males and two females. One Hispanic female taught how to make Tamales.