Food, health and nutrition

University of Minnesota Extension improves food literacy, physical activity, food safety and healthy food access for Minnesotans and the food service industry.

Features

Food preservation basics videos

Short, informational videos provide hands-on demonstrations of food preservation methods and food safety procedures.

New tool helps fruit and vegetable farmers reduce microbial risks to irrigation water

Irrigation water can affect produce safety and pose a health risk to consumers if not managed.

Preserving and preparing food safely

Canning, freezing, drying, pickling, safe meals, food storage

Food safety

Preserving and preparing food safely

Canning, freezing, drying, pickling, safe meals, food storage

For food entrepreneurs

Making and selling value-added products of the farm and cottage food along with safe food sampling

For food service industry

Food manager and employee certification

For food processors

Becoming licensed food processor, especially of acidified foods, on-site education

Sanitation and preventing illness

Washing fruits and vegetables, food allergens, preventing food poisoning

Growing safe food

On-farm food safety, GAPs audits, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

Health care

Health insurance literacy

Select a workshop to build your staff's knowledge and confidence to teach about health insurance literacy, or partner with us to offer workshops directly to the people you serve.

Protecting health for older adults

Get tips for eating healthy and staying active to help you live a longer, healthier life.

Health care directive workshop

Arrange for us to come and teach on this important topic. Excellent resource for employee groups, community organizations, and more.

How to support aging parents and address potential conflicts

Follow these strategies and tips to help your family cope when faced with problems and decisions related to long term care.

Minnesota Health Care Directive Planning Toolkit

Write down your wishes for your care in a health care directive.

Local foods

Farmers markets

Get tips for shopping at farmers markets on a budget.

Supporting farmers markets in accepting SNAP benefits

Get an overview of all the steps necessary to accept SNAP benefits at a farmers market in Minnesota.

Power of Produce (PoP) club

Get all the materials to successfully start a Power of Produce (PoP) Club at your local farmers market.

One Vegetable, One Community

Learn more about starting a garden to provide fresh vegetables to your community.

Mental wellbeing

What is mental health?

Learn about mental health interventions, how to begin conversations about mental well-being, and find resources for professionals.

Stress and change

Tips, online courses and resources for understanding and coping with stress.

Trauma and healing

Learn about trauma-informed care for youth work, historical trauma and cultural healing, and secondary trauma and workplace wellness.

Understanding opioid addiction and treatment

Learn about opioid use and overdose. Find resources for treatment and support for long-term recovery.

Nutrition and healthy eating

Teaching nutrition education

Find information regarding nutrition education programs and curriculum that target low-income youth, families and individuals.

Real life good food

Free healthy eating tips, physical activity ideas and recipes.

Save money on food

Learn about nutrition assistance, food budgeting and more.

Systems and food justice

Learn how Extension is advancing food justice in Minnesota.

Building better food shelves

Training, print materials, and videos are available free of charge to food shelf directors, volunteers, and others working to improve healthy food access.