J
uly proved to be a busy month with a wide variety of activities happening and programs in each Wildcat District county. Beyond the normal newsletter and newspaper columns and preparing the Extension Minute radio spot, I answered a number of food preservation questions, assisted with 4-H activities, and offered some programs as well. Following are a few program highlights.
Manager ServSafe
We were privileged to be asked to host an all-day ServSafe Manager Workshop at the PSU Student Center to train employees of their food service company in critical food safety procedures. Participants came in not only from Pittsburg, but from Emporia, Lindsborg, Baldwin City, Wichita and more. At the end of the day, my co-trainer and I changed roles from trainers to exam proctors and our students sat for the National ServSafe Manager Exam. This exam is an accredited, reliable, national certification that is valid for five years. Since proctors are allowed to proctor no more than 35 examinees at a time, I was thankful to have a co-trainer and proctor from the Southwind District to assist with the day’s activities and the large class.
Parsons Senior Housing - Eating Smart
Would you like to be healthier and save money? Establishing healthy lifestyle behaviors such as eating smart throughout your life can contribute to health, well-being, life quality and even longevity…and can save you money on health care and medications! This was the message shared with residents of Parsons Senior Housing in a short presentation at their outdoor lunch event in July. Eating a variety of nutritious foods, controlling portion sizes, drinking more water, and choosing the right carbs were among the topics discussed with the group who requested handouts and asked some questions about healthy eating.
Easy Meals for Two or Just For You
Healthy lifestyle behaviors can prevent or help control many chronic conditions. So, good nutrition is vitally important for everyone…even if it’s just for one or two…and even if you don’t feel like cooking. So how do we get a tasty, nutritious and EASY meal on the table? AARP members in Independence discussed this question during our interactive “Easy Meals” program at their July meeting. All survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed that as a result of the program they intended to make at least one healthy change in their eating habits; and that they now planned to cook more meals at home.
Dining with Diabetes – Community Partnership
Wilson Medical Center and Wildcat Extension District are partnering together to offer Dining with Diabetes at the Neodesha Senior Center. We have twelve people enrolled and a Wilson Medical Center Telemedicine Diabetes Educator joins us by phone for part of each class to answer technical diabetes questions. The first two of the four initial classes were held in July and we have already heard a couple of touching success stories. You will be hearing more about this series of classes.