Lisa Peterson investigates the health, food security, and food safety needs of the citizens in Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery County, Illinois to develop, update, and provide engaging research-based programming at a local level. Her interests include using social media and technology to promote food safety and nutrition education, preparing and preserving locally produced food, preventing and delaying chronic disease through diet management, developing innovative methods for implementing wellness in the workplace, and encouraging individuals to embrace preparing nutritious meals at home. She loves working with youth and partnering with 4-H youth development to develop and teach interactive classes around food science, nutrition, and food safety. Peterson dedicates her work to improving the lives of the citizens of Illinois by providing them with the tools to make safe, healthy, and informed decisions.

Peterson has been a Nutrition & Wellness Educator with University of Illinois Extension since June of 2014. She holds her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Nutrition, Exercise, and Food Science with a research focus on food safety from South Dakota State University. She has previous experience as a graduate research assistant with South Dakota State University Extension. In addition to teaching hands-on cooking, diabetes, heart disease, food safety, canning, freezing, and drying classes, Peterson is also a ServSafe and a National Registry of Food Safety Professionals Certified Food Protection Managers instructor. Peterson is a proud member of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, and a BAC-fighter Ambassador with the Partnership of Food Safety Education. 

Originally hailing from rural West Central Minnesota, Lisa loves Minnesota baseball and football. As a two-time Jackrabbit alumnus,  Lisa is also an avid SDSU Jackrabbit football and basketball fan. When not attending or watching sporting events, you can find her hiking the local trails, traveling, in the kitchen cooking or developing new diabetes or celiac-friendly recipes, spending time with family and friends, or in search of the best coffee.  

Find classes Lisa is teaching, recipes, and additional nutrition, food safety, and wellness resources on her local University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness: Christian, Macoupin, Montgomery, and Jersey County website. 

Recent News Articles:

What's Wrong with My Jam?
If at First, You Don't Succeed, Dry and Dry Again
Fun with Fermentation
Freezing Garden Produce For Best Results
Upgrade Your Salad
The Mediterranean Lifestyle
Every Step Counts
Is Gluten-Free Right for Me?
Cracking Open Canned Food Myths
Using Fresh Herbs in the Kitchen
Creative Cooking with Fewer Ingredients
"Egg"-cellent Food Safety Tips

Follow Lisa through Social Media: 

Instagram: Dash of Wellness. Easy step-by-step photo recipes focused around diabetes, heart-healthy, and/or celiac-friendly recipes!

Twitter: Lisa Peterson. Follow along with Lisa on twitter as she shares events, nutrition and food safety tips, and recipe resources. 

Facebook: U of I Extension Montgomery, Macoupin, Jersey & Christian Counties. Catch up on what's going on in Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery County, Illinois.