Congratulations to the 25 new Master Food Volunteer graduates from Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William! The class has pledged to volunteer 750 hours to help Family and Consumer Sciences Agents with nutrition education efforts over the next year.
The training was led by Extension Agents Katie Strong (far left) and Nancy Stegon (seated left), with help from Extension Agent April Payne (far right) and Nutrition Outreach Instructor Megan Mauer (front row left).
![MFV Mar 2014 AAF[3]](http://blogs.ext.vt.edu/masterfoodvolunteers/files/2014/03/MFV-Mar-2014-AAF3.jpg)
Update–this training has been cancelled and will hopefully be rescheduled soon. Please stay tuned for more details.
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Beginning Saturday, April 5, 2014, a Master Food Volunteer Training is scheduled for adults interested in becoming volunteers with this program in the Roanoke Valley.
See the attached brochure below for information about the program, application deadline, additional dates of training, etc.
This training is being offered through the Roanoke County Extension Office.
For more information about the program and requirements to apply, please contact Ms. Deb Chappell, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, phone: 540-772-7524, email: dchappel@vt.edu.
Website: Virginia Cooperative Extension Roanoke Valley Master Food Volunteers
Volunteers from our Fairfax group of Master Food Volunteers were recently showcased through the Fairfax County Extension website to share more about their experiences with this program and to highlight their many talents.
Following is a direct link to this site and more information about their testimonials: http://offices.ext.vt.edu/fairfax/programs/fcs/MFV_testimonials_ffx_arl.html
We salute these great volunteers and to all of our Family and Consumer Sciences Agents and MFV’s around the state that make this program a success! Thank you! We couldn’t do this without you.
Ms. Katie Strong, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent for Fairfax and Arlington, recently submitted a blog about portion sizes on her Extension Offices’ blog site. Katie shared some great information and tips on telling the difference between a portion size versus a serving size; how to identify a standard portion size; and how to avoid common pitfalls regarding portion sizes. Thanks to Katie for a great blog post! Check it out: https://blogs.ext.vt.edu/arl-alexvce/2013/10/29/enjoy-your-food-but-eat-less-right-size-your-portions/
Anne, a Master Food Volunteer from Fairfax is giving out back-to-school healthy breakfast packets (oatmeal, raisins, nuts, etc, from Share food pantry in McLean) and talking to clients about the importance of a healthy breakfast. She was featured in Connections Newspapers: http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/photos/2013/aug/20/41802/ Great job, Anne!
According to Katie Strong, our Family and Consumer Sciences Agent working with the Fairfax volunteers, Anne also handed out “Break the Fast” article from Living Well v.8. by Deb Chappell, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent from Roanoke. This article can be found at the following URL: http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/FCS/FCS-15/FCS-15.html
More Fairfax Master Food Volunteers have been involved with a series of Chef at Market” food demos for preparing healthy fruits and vegetables. Check out the following URL for more info: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/wp-farm-mkt.htm. Another volunteer was recently mentioned in the Washington Post Fairfax County wellness calendar.
Check this out… The Arlington/Alexandra Extension blog site for more blog entries about the exciting programs their Master Food Volunteers have recently been involved, including food demonstrations and samples as part of the Virginia Cooperative Extension exhibit at the Arlington County Fair. Volunteers also help lead a life skills class at Carpenter’s Shelter in Old Town Alexandria by working with participants to cook healthy meals: http://blogs.ext.vt.edu/arl-alexvce/.
We appreciate all of our volunteers’ great work and talents!
Check out our Virginia Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VaFNP
This site contains great tips and information on eating healthy, tasty recipes, and cooking tips that can be used for Master Food Volunteer programs and any family and consumer sciences program related to nutrition and healthy living. Check the site often–the site is updated regularly.
Recently, one of our Master Food Volunteers was featured in the Roanoke Times after she taught a class at the Salem Public Library on food dehydration. The article also has a great picture of some of her finished products.
For more information on this article and other programs being offered through the Roanoke County Extension Office, visit https://www.facebook.com/RoanokeVCE
Extension Agent Katie Strong answers questions after audience samples a Smoky Black Bean and Corn Salad prepared during Fairfax County Administrative Resource Team Conference workshop.
Fairfax County administrative professionals picked up new spices and hearty salad ingredients as they shopped for groceries this weekend, inspired by Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Food Volunteers.
Held during the last week of April in conjunction with National Administrative Professionals Day, the annual Administrative Resource Team (ART) Conference brings personnel from throughout Fairfax County together for a day of workshops. This year’s conference, held on April 26 at the Government Center, featured two workshops by VCE.
“Healthy Cooking for Busy Families: Hearty and Versatile Salads,” featured a cooking demonstration. VCE Extension Agent Katie Strong prepared Smoky Black Bean and Corn Salad while Master Food Volunteers Sue Lagon, Mike Perel, Julia Schneider and Sue Gonzalez dished up and served samples to nearly 80 participants. Strong recommended that families prepare healthful, filling salads on Sunday evening for lunches and snacks throughout the week.
The highlight of the “Herbs and Spices Master Class” was a spice tasting contest. Using unsalted pretzels dipped in olive oil, more than 70 attendees sampled and tried to guess the names of six spices. Strong then delivered a fast-paced tour of the world of herbs and spices. The goal of the program was to encourage participants to try alternatives to sodium, which is far too prevalent in the typical American diet.
In addition to getting a well-deserved break from their workday routines, conference participants picked up a wealth of healthy cooking ideas to share with their families and friends this weekend.
Written by Sue Gonzalez, Master Food Volunteer
Fairfax administrators participate in spice tasting contest during workshop aimed at reducing sodium intake by increasing awareness of healthier seasoning alternatives.
Master Food Volunteers Sue Lagon and Mike Perel discuss the outcome of the spice tasting contest. To their surprise, none of the participants were able to identify all six of the spices – basil, cumin, dill, oregano, sage and thyme.
