In this article:
|
---|
Activity Corner |
Healthy Recipe Box: |
Information |
July is National Grilling Month |
Kid Stuff: |
Local Food Finds: Farmers Market Update |
National Blueberry Month |
Upcoming Events |
by Ana Gouge
Blueberry and Watermelon Salad with Marinated Feta
Ingredients:
Directions:
Toss together feta, red onion, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and hot pepper flakes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Toss together watermelon, blueberries, cucumber and basil; transfer to small serving platter. Top with feta mixture.
Catahoula/Concordia Parishes, Ana Gouge, (318)414-6055
East Carroll/Morehouse Parishes, Jocinda Jackson, (318)559-1459
Franklin/Caldwell Parishes/FCS Regional Coordinator, Quincy Vidrine, (318)435-2903.
CDC Food Systems Coordinator, Cecilia Stevens, (318)435-2908
Madison/Tensas Parishes, Joy Sims, (318)574-2465
Ouachita Parish, Cathy Agan, (318)323-2251
Ouachita/Morehouse Parishes, Kimberly Butcher, (318)323-2251
Ouachita/Union Parishes, Markaye Russell, (318)323-2251
Richland/West Carroll Parishes, Brittney Newsome, (318)281-5741
For the latest research-based information on just about anything, visit our website: LSUAgCenter.com
Dr. Luke Laborde, LSU Vice President for Agricultural Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Louisiana Agricultural Experimental Station, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, LSU College of Agriculture. The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in program and employment. Dr. Luke Laborde, LSU Vice President for Agriculture Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Louisiana Agricultural Experiment State Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service LSU College of Agriculture. If you need an ADA accomodation for the participation, please contact Quincy Vidrine at least two weeks prior to the event. The LSU AgCenter provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.
by Markaye Russell
Summertime is known for it's outdoor cooking, so it's not a surprise that July is National Grilling Month. With more Americans lighting their grills than ever before, it's important to remember that a fun barbeque is a safe barbeque.
When the warmer weather hits, there's nothing better than the smell of food on the grill. Don't let incorrectly prepared food ruin your summer. Always remember the steps for food preparation: clean, separate, cook, and chill. Foodborne illness tends to increase during the hot summer months because germs grow faster in warmer, more humid weather.
Foodborne illness is preventable by simply following food safety guidelines. When cooking outside, most times you don't have the convenience of soap and running water like you do in the kitchen. Use the tips to grill in the summer.
by Kimberly Butcher
Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month in the USA? A great way to celebrate is to make homemade ice cream with your family. This fun summer activity is great for kids!
Ingredients:
Supplies:
Directions:
Add sugar, half and half, vanilla extract and chocolate syrup to quart sized freezer bag seal tightly. Fill gallon freezer bag halfway with ice. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of rock salt over the ice. Place your quart sized bag inside the gallon bag and seal. Double-check your bags to make sure they're well sealed. Shake bags vigorously until ice cream forms. Enjoy!
Recipe made available by: kidsactivities. net
by Cecilia Stevens
(Winnsboro, LA) - The LSU AgCenter announces August 7-13 as National Farmers Market Week celebrating the impact of farmers markets on local communities.
Farmers markets don't just happen - a strong partnership between local leaders, market volunteers, and customers must exist to make a market flourish. When that m ix occurs, great things can happen within a community.
Farmers markets are community hubs sparking entrepreneurship. Many small towns are experiencing a rejuvenation due to the impact of a weekly farmers market. Mayor-elect Hannah Cummings Springer of Columbia, Louisiana, says, "Our Columbia Farmers Market helped people re-discover downtown. This has led to increased investment and community pride."
Randy Williams, manager of the Second Saturday Farmers Market in Bastrop, echoes those sentiments. "Our community center sponsored this market not just to bring more fresh products to the neighborhood but also to help engage the community. I love seeing people, especially youth, bring vegetables they grew or crafts or cottage foods to sell."
As stakeholders work together to promote farmers markets, diversity in both patrons and vendors increases. This can bring added unity to the community. The Farmers Market Coalition, a non-profit group promoting best practices in market promotion and operation, states, "We fundamentally believe that farmers markets are for everyone and seek to support efforts to make farmers markets safe, inviting and accessible for all." Such efforts include reducing physical barriers to access, implementing programs to accept SNAP and senior benefits, and coordinating kid-friendly programming.
The LSU AgCenter is proud to partner with farmers markets by offering programs to strengthen local food access. Makenzie Miller, a food system specialist with LSU AgCenter says, "The LSU AgCenter supports farmers markets by providing technical assistance related to farmers market development. SNAP/EBT acceptance, and vendor requirement, as well as offering nutrition education resources and/or demonstrations at farmers markets." For more information on farmers markets, contact your parish's LSU AgCenter Extension office.
Celebrate National Farmers Market Week by visiting a local market and be sure to give a "thank you" to the vendors, volunteers, and local leaders who make these markets possible.
Cottage foods such as homemade breads and sweets (in the left picture) are popular items at local farmers markets. Farmers markets are important contributors to the local food system. Pictured (in right picture) are corn and tomatoes from the Columbia Farmers Market. (photo credit, Hannah Springer)
by Brittney Newsome
July is the best time to harvest blueberries and is the peak season for this fruit, which is why it is the perfect time to celebrate National Blueberry Month in July. Blueberries are nutritious and provide a great source of Vitamin C and K and 1/2 cup contains only 43 calories! The blueberry color comes from the anthocyanin, a compound that helps to reduce the risk of heart disease. Blueberries, whether fresh, frozen, or canned, are a real taste treat. You can simply wash and enjoy them in their fresh state or prepare them in your cereal, salads, muffins, and pancakes. Be sure to visit LSU AgCenter.com for more information and recipes.
Small Changes, Healthy Habits Nutrition Series (in person and virtual) Richland and West Carroll Parishes
Contact Brittney Newsome for more information.
Home Food Preservation Training Franklin Parish
Please contact Quincy L. Vidrine at 318-623-5217 for more information.
Work-Out Wednesdays (virtual) Ouachita Parish:
Please contact Cathy Agan for more information.
Health Resource Expo 2022 (in-person) Franklin Parish
On September 28, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Jack Hammond Community Center in Winnsboro is hosting a health resource expo. Contact Quincy Vidrine for more information.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture