Child Nutrition

Blog Posts
Julie Dantone
Eatable Alphabet helps children build confidence with healthy foods
For many young children, trying a new fruit or vegetable can feel intimidating. Research shows that repeated exposure to healthy foods during early...
Lunchbox and backpack
Back-to-school fuel: Tips for simple meals kids will love
It’s back-to-school time, and we all want the same thing: healthy, happy children who are learning and on their way to becoming productive members of...
Food safety 101: Keep them apart from the start
When serving a meal to a child, you may have heard them demand that their foods not touch each other. This mantra of “don’t let my foods touch!” is...
Limiting scary amounts of sugar
If you have children at home, you're probably all too familiar with the loads of candy your child receives in the month of October. While we all know...
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News Releases
From training to table: Extension programs strengthen school nutrition
URBANA, Ill. — School meal programs play an important role in helping students stay healthy and ready to learn. To make sure these meals are safe and nutritious, school nutrition staff need regular training.Federal rules by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010...
Janet Moody holds up a paper sign that reads ""When life make it hard to feed your family, Illinois Extension is here. I help you find healthier, less expensive options!"
Illinois Extension staff spotlight: Janet Moody
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Each month University of Illinois Extension serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties sits down with an Extension staff member to discuss their work and impact in the community.  This month's spotlight follows Janet Moody,...
ABCs of School Nutrition Summer Learning Institute – Centralia
Illinois Extension partners with the Illinois State Board of Education to provide professional development training each year. In 2024, local Illinois Extension Educator Kara Boozer hosted the largest ABCs of School Nutrition in the state of Illinois, welcoming nearly 100 participants in...
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Videos
SNAP-Ed Impact and Return on Investments

A return-on-investment analysis estimated the economic benefits of the IL SNAP-Ed program per dollar spent. A model was constructed using program data and prior literature to estimate the number of obesity and food insecurity cases prevented by IL SNAP-Ed. Altarum’s Value of Health model was...

Staff