The Food, Nutrition & Health team offers classes to fit the learning needs of curious cooks, budget-conscious shoppers, parents/caregivers, and childcare professionals to enhance the health and wellbeing of our community.
Customized Classes
Customized classes are available for community groups (minimum of 10) seeking education for better living. The training can be held at the Douglas-Sarpy Counties Extension Office or at another location of your choice. Contact Cindy Brison or Nancy Urbanec for more information and costs associated with classes.
Educational Classes
We can provide these classes based on your needs throughout the year. We also provide simple tips for using and preserving in-season produce. Check out our Facebook page for weekly tips and recipes for using produce during the Nebraska growing season.
Cooking for One or Two
Soup Up Your Winter
Cooking with Herbs
Cooking with Seasonal Produce
Food Preservation Workshops
Cooking With CSA Produce
Healthy Food Fast
Do you have a multi-cooker or air fryer that you have never used? Come learn what you are missing and learn tips and tricks to safely utilizing one of these tools to prepare your favorite recipes.
SNAP-Ed & EFNEP Community Classes
Individuals striving to feed their families on a limited budget can attend a community class offered by our Nutrition Education Program to gain the knowledge and skills to make healthier food choices a reality. Special grant funding is available for class participants that qualify for SNAP, free/reduced price lunch program, or WIC. These are typically hosted in the community by a service-agency. If you’re interested in bringing a series of classes to your clients, please reach out to Audra Losey to discuss your ideas.
The Nutrition Education Program is funded through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education Division (SNAP-Ed) and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Together with community partnerships, we strive to improve the health of Nebraskans.
Food Smarts
Is a flexible, learner-centered cooking and nutrition curriculum with materials and lesson plans for adults. The curriculum aligns with trauma-informed principles and the Dietary Guidelines. Plan for a series of 4, 5, or 6 classes.
Around the Table: Nourishing Families
Around the Table: Nourishing Families is a 6-week adult curriculum designed for groups of 10-14 adults raising children. Around the Table is designed to build food, nutrition, and cooking literacy – all while integrating social emotional learning and using trauma-sensitive facilitation. Teaching space needs to allow for hands-on food preparation.
Professional Development
These classes are offered for specific groups, such as childcare professionals, Master Gardeners and consumer gardeners. Some are one-time classes and others are offered in a series. Barf Bucket and GAP training may have a charge associated with them.
Barf Bucket
It is important to clean up bodily fluids safely to avoid spreading illnesses, especially in childcare settings. This training is designed to teach all childcare staff the importance of the proper way to clean up bodily fluids to avoid spreading illness.
For more information on this class, contact Cindy Brison or Nancy Urbanec, at 402-444-7804.
GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) Training with Urban Gardeners
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is a class to help consumers and Master Gardeners produce safe food from seed to plate. The class covers safe planting, growing, harvesting, storage and preparation of fresh fruits and vegetables. Every step of food safety reduces the risks of food safety contamination.
For more information on this class, contact Cindy Brison or Nancy Urbanec, at 402-444-7804.
Go NAPSACC
Nutrition & Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Childcare
Go NAPSACC is an evidence-based approach designed to improve childcare facility best practices related to infant feeding, child nutrition, and physical activity. Go NAPSACC consultants work one-on-one with childcare directors/owners to complete self-assessments, action plans, and implement changes in best practices. On-demand training is available for in-service credit.
EAT Family Style Dining
EAT Family Style Dining is an innovative, web-based professional development program for childcare staff that was developed in Nebraska. The program consists of 7 online lessons and one-on-one coaching from our staff. The program highlights responsive feeding practices at mealtimes.
