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Food and Nutrition

Understanding core health and wellness topics are an essential aspect of your family's overall well-being.

From food safety to nutrition to chronic disease prevention and management, Illinois Extension is committed to helping families across the state and beyond live the best versions of their lives. Learning more about heart-healthy eating, managing diabetes, or how long to keep food, freeze or dry food, and safely store it can lead to healthier living. Are you interested in providing worksite wellness classes in your local business, school foodservice training, bringing nutrition or food safety education into a high school classroom, or need your Certified Food Protection Manager Certification? Contact Lisa Peterson, nutrition & wellness educator, about upcoming programs, scheduling programs, and any nutrition or food safety-related questions.

Healthy Recipes, Keeping Food from the Garden Longer, and More

Selling Food Made in the Kitchen at the Farmers Market

Have you considered selling your homemade foods at a farmers market? There are basic guidelines that growers and vendors must observe in preparation for farmers market sales.

How to Freeze, Can, and Dry Food for Preservation

Ever wonder what to do with all your garden produce or perhaps you bought too many items at the Farmers Market? Don't worry, University of Illinois Extension will guide you in how to safely preserve and store your fresh fruits and vegetables.

Feeding my Baby: From Cradle to Table

Feeding My Baby is designed to help you make informed decisions as your baby transitions from cradle to table.

Social Media

Follow @dashofwellness on Instagram for easy step-by-step photo recipes focused around diabetes, heart healthy, and/or celiac-friendly recipes! Find University of Illinois Extension classic recipes as well as new ones the Nutrition and Wellness team has developed!

Sit around our table and follow @family.finances.food on Facebook or Instagram. Find practical, research-based information for your family from University of Illinois Extension educators as we share our best tips for raising kids, eating healthier, and spending smart.

Local Resources

Programs

Chronic Disease Management

I on Diabetes
A 4-part workshop series on nutrition management of diabetes. Each session has includes recipe demonstrations and sampling.

Meals for a Healthy Heart
A 2-part workshop series on healthy-eating, covering sodium, fat, cholesterol, and other dietary strategies for cardiovascular disease.

In the Kitchen

Baking Light for Better Health
Life is better with desserts-learn how to make healthier baked goods without sacrificing your sweet tooth.

Cooking for 1 or 2
Techniques to cook on a smaller scale and simplify meals without them getting boring. Participants will learn to shop, prepare and modify recipes to suit the number of mouths being fed.

Cooking from the Cabinets
Maximizing your food dollar and avoid waste by cooking from your cabinets at home. Learn how to stock a healthy pantry, combine fresh ingredients and what’s on hand, and how to repurpose leftovers in creative ways.

Maximizing Your Slow Cooker
Learn how to maximize this time and money-saving appliance and make healthy, delicious meals with little effort!

Nutrition Bang for your Buck
See how to cut down on food waste with some easy meal planning techniques and find the best values. Learn how to find affordable yet healthy options at the grocery store, and get the most nutrition bang for your buck!

Savory Soup
Learn all you need to know about making warm, delicious, and healthy soup. Learn about all the different types of soups, helpful tips for making soup, receive recipes, and get a chance to try a few different savory soups.

Freezer Meals in a Flash
Learn the do’s and don'ts of freezer meals, receive delicious

Topical Nutrition Issues

Is Gluten Free Right For Me?
Should you cut gluten out of your diet? Come learn and understand what gluten is and if living gluten-free is the lifestyle for you.

Organic, Local, Natural - What it is and What it isn't
Get updated on the science and learn whether organic, local, and natural foods are really better for you and the environment.

To Soy or Not to Soy
Learn about where soy comes from and understand the pros and cons of eating/drinking/cooking with soy products.

Be Your Own Diet Detective: Finding Reliable Nutrition Information
Overwhelmed by all the nutrition information around you? Learn how to judge reliable nutrition advice and make better decisions for your health.

For a Healthy Lifestyle

A Healthy Lifestyle That Lasts
Just starting out with a healthier lifestyle? Get updated on the latest dietary recommendations and how to make small changes over time. Learn how to arm yourself with the skills you need and find out the best behavioral strategies for making lasting changes in your health.

Fueling for Work & Play
Are you eating to maximize your performance? Learn how to improve your productivity at work and make the most of your workouts with the food you eat.

Dining Out Without Filling Out
Learn how to spot sources of extra calories and find healthier menu items. Learn how to modify your favorites and fit restaurant dining into your healthy eating plan.

Rethink Your Drink
Learn the nutritional truth about your favorite beverages and how to hydrate in healthier ways.

Are You Able to Read a Label?
Breaks down the nutrition food label and explains what each part means and what to look for when shopping

Food Safety and Food Preservation

Yes! You Can: Hands-On Preservation Workshops
These hands-on workshops are specialized classes focused on water-bath canning jams & jellies, cucumbers, or tomatoes.

Yes! You Can: Preserving Safely
Provides information on proper canning techniques and food preservation recommendations. Also, feel free to bring along your pressure canner dial gauge to get tested to ensure safe and proper processing.

Preserving Your Garden: Freezing and Drying
Learn the how-tos of freezing and drying.

The Most Dangerous Room in Your House: The Kitchen
Your kitchen may be the most dangerous room in your house! Learn how to do your own kitchen “check-up” and keep you and your family safe from food poisoning.

From Garden Gates to Dinner Plates: Cottage Food Operations
Ever wonder how to prepare and sell your food at a farmer’s market? This program defines and explains the Illinois Cottage Food Operation Law and how to safely grow and prepare food for sale. This program also provides an illustrated look at preserving jams and jellies

Serve it, Safely
Does your club, church, or organization raise funds by holding community dinners, bake sales, bazaars, or other food events? Learn the basics of preparing, cooking, and storing food for public consumption. Taking extra precautions can make events not only safer, but even more successful!

Certified Food Protection Managers Class & Exam
The Certified Food Protection Managers Class & Exam provides the minimum classroom work to prepare for the National Certification Examination. Topics include foodborne illnesses, safe food handling, cooking and storage, employee health and hygiene, facility safety and maintenance, cleaning and sanitization. Certificates must be renewed every 5 years.

Ask About

Workplace Wellness Programs and Tools

School Lunch Staff Professional Development

Nutrition Education for Youth

Local Food Initiative

Find local food pantries in Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery counties

Christian County

Blue Mound/Boody/Stonington Food Pantry
305 North Bolls Street, Blue Mound, IL 62513
Phone: 217-820-3988
Hours: Saturdays from 8 - 10 AM

Edinburg Food Pantry
314 North Grant Street, Edinburg, IL 62531
Phone: 217-825-3144
Hours: Saturdays from 9:30 - 11 AM (emergency help available during the week)

Midland Area Food Pantry
600 Tower Place, Kincaid, IL 62540
Phone: 217-237-2342
Hours: Wednesdays from 1 - 2:30 PM

Morrisonville-Palmer Food Pantry
309 SE 6th Street, Morrisonville, IL 62546
Phone: 217-827-0587
Hours: Thursdays from 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Pana Loaves and Fishes
200 W 2nd Street, Pana, IL 62557
Phone: 217-562-4175
Hours: Mondays from 9 AM - Noon; Fridays from 3 - 5:30 PM

Pana Christian Church Food Pantry
1005 East 6th Street, Pana, IL 62557
Phone: 217-562-3629
Hours: Tuesdays from Noon - 1 PM

Tacusah Outreach Food Pantry of Assumption
104 North Business 51, Assumption, IL, 62510
Phone: 217-226-4209 or 217-979-2555
Hours: Saturdays from 9 - 11 AM

Taylorville Food Pantry
1429 East Main Cross, Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: 217-820-5174 or 217-454-6015
Hours: Tuesdays from 8:30 - 10 AM; Thursdays from 5:30 - 7 PM; Saturdays from 8:30 - 9:30 AM

Jersey County

Grafton Food Pantry
118 East Main Street, Grafton, IL 62037
Phone: 618-786-3344
Hours: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 9 - 11 AM

Jersey Township Food Pantry
720 State Highway 16, Jerseyville, IL 62052
Phone: 618-498-3719
Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 11 AM - Noon
*Can receive items once a calendar month

Salvation Army Service Extension
813 West Carpenter, Jerseyville, IL 62052
Phone: 618-498-6669
Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 9 AM - 1 PM

Cross Point Church
104 N. Public Road, Fieldon, IL 62031
Phone: 618-535-3112
Hours: 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month from 9 AM - Noon; Open-door policy

St. Vincent DePaul Society of Jersey County
506 South State Street, Jerseyville, IL 62052
Phone: 618-556-0675; call number to inquire
Food pantry, hygiene items, and laundry items are located at 309 South Washington

Macoupin County

Brethren Church
334 West Dean, Virden, IL 62690
Phone: 217-965-3422
Hours: 2 -3 PM every Tuesday

Brighton Food Pantry
119 East Vine, Brighton, IL 62012
Phone: 618-491-0174
Hours: Thursdays from 9 - 11 AM; 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6 - 7 PM; If Thursday is a holiday, will open Tuesday before from 9 - 11 AM

Carlinville Food Pantry
55 Carlinville Plaza, Carlinville, IL 62626
Phone: 217-854-4511
Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9 - 11 AM; Wednesdays from 2 - 4 PM

Gillespie Caring Center
100 North Macoupin Street, Gillespie, IL 62033
Phone: 217-839-4085
Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9 - 11:45 AM - can only receive once a month

Girard Food Pantry
135 West Madison, Girard, IL 62640
Phone: 618-924-0290
Hours: Saturdays from 9 - 10 AM

Mt. Olive Care Center
120 East Main Street, Mt. Olive, IL 62069
Phone: 217-999-4781
Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays from 10 - 11:30 AM

Northwestern Palmyra Food Pantry
109 East Lewis, Palmyra IL, 62674
Phone: 217-638-2826
Hours: 2nd Saturday of the month from 7 - 9 AM

Martha’s Food Pantry
278 Keating Street, Shipman, IL 62685
Hours: Every 4th Monday from 9 - 10 AM

Staunton Helping Hands Center
219 West Main Street, Staunton, IL 62088
Phone: 618-635-2267
Hours: Tuesdays 9:30 - 11:30 AM; Wednesdays 5-7 PM

Montgomery County

Calvary Baptist Church Food Pantry
1001 Rountree Street, Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: 217-532-3035
Hours: By appointment only (call number above)

Montgomery County CEFS
8353 South State Route 127, Taylor Springs, IL 62089
Phone: 217-532-5971
Hours: Wednesdays & Thursdays from 9 - 11 AM & 1 - 3 PM; Fridays 9 - 11 AM

Coffeen Community Food Pantry
210 Barry Street, Coffeen, IL 62017
Phone: 217-534-2222
Hours: 3rd Tuesday and following Saturday of the month from 8 - 11 AM

Harvest of Hope Food Pantry
109 South Hamilton Street, Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: 217-560-7533
Hours: Sign up basis (call number above)

Irving Food Pantry
103 Cedar Street, Irving, IL 62051
Phone: 217-533-4520
Hours: The first Saturday of the first full week of the month
from 1 - 3 pm. Serving Irving only.

Litchfield Food Pantry
102 South Montgomery, Litchfield, IL 62056
Phone: 217-324-4264
Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1 - 2:30 PM

Nokomis Food Pantry
118 South Spruce Street, Nokomis, IL 62075
Phone: 217-971-0892
Hours: 4th Wednesday of the month from Noon - 3 PM

Panama Blessing Cabinet
121 Gum Street, Panama, IL 62077
Phone: 217-851-0140
Hours: Open 24/7, but is closely monitored
This pantry operates on the principle of “take what you need, give what you can.”

Panhandle Food Pantry
317 East Broad Street, Raymond, IL 62560
Phone: 217-229-3074
Hours: Saturdays from 8:30 - 10:30 AM

Salvation Army/Emergency Food Pantry
237 South Main Street, Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: 217-532-5059
Hours: By appointment only (call number above)

St. Clare Food Pantry
603 North Madison, Litchfield, IL 62056
Phone: 217-324-2800
Hours: Mondays 10 AM - Noon; Wednesdays 6 AM - 2 PM; Thursdays 10:30 AM - Noon

Witt Food Pantry
25 West Park Avenue, Witt, IL 62094
Phone: 217-594-2455
Hours: 3rd Thursday of the month from 10 - 11 AM
*Call a week in advance so items can be prepared

Local farmers markets in Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery counties

Christian County

Assumption
Every other Saturday from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Beginning June 11 - October 1 at 123 South Chestnut Street
Contact: assumptionfarmersmarketil@gmail.com

Pana
Fridays from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Beginning June 17 at Kitchell Park
Contact: 217-562-4240

Taylorville
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Beginning May 7 - September 24 at Taylorville Square
Contact: 217-824-3555