Food, Nutrition & Health
The Food, Nutrition, and Health team is dedicated to improving nutrition, enhancing healthy food access, promoting physical activity and ensuring food safety for all Nebraskans. Through lifelong education and strategic partnerships, we work to address social determinants of health and advance nutrition security. These efforts are vital for building strong, healthy communities, reducing healthcare costs and improving quality of life for everyone.
FEATURED PROGRAMS
Youth Education
Empower youth with the tools for lifelong health in our fun and interactive classes! Kids will explore everything from creating tasty, nutritious snacks and building balanced meals with MyPlate to the importance of breakfast and proper handwashing. They'll also dive into the essentials of physical activity, food preparation, and kitchen safety. Our classes bring the learning to them, taking place at schools, childcare centers, afterschool programs, and summer camps, ensuring every child has access to these vital skills in a familiar and supportive environment.
- School Enrichment Kits
- Healthy Cooking Club
- Nutrition & Physical Activity
- Soccer for Success
- Youth Gardening
- Husker Performance
Adult and Family Education
Discover the joy of healthy living through our engaging, hands-on classes! Designed as a dynamic series, each session builds on the last, empowering you with essential skills for everyday wellness. From mastering nutrition basics to savvy meal planning, grocery shopping, and decoding food labels, we've got you covered. Plus, learn practical tips for staying active and keeping your food safe. Join us to make informed, confident choices for a healthier you!
- Health Classes for Adults
- Health Classes for Families with Children
- Health Classes for High Blood Pressure
- The Dish: Real Talk About Food
- Worksite Wellness Presentations
Community-Based Approaches
We take a community-centered approach to create lasting change where we live, work, and play. Our Community-Based Approaches address policies, systems, and environments to increase nutrition security and improve health for all. We target the social drivers of health, creating equitable opportunities for every community member to thrive.
Dial Gauge Pressure Canner Lid Testing
Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County offers free dial gauge pressure canner lid testing. Weighted gauges do not require testing. Residents may drop off your dial gauge pressure canner lid at 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68528 during office hours M–F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. We will call you when the canner lid is ready to be picked up at your convenience. The process usually takes 1–3 days before being able to pick it up.
FAQs: Find Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
What food should be thrown out after a power outage?
Food safety during a power outage depends on how long the power was out and the temperature in your refrigerator and freezer. For specific guidelines on what foods to keep or discard, check out this FoodSafety.gov resource.
Is it safe to eat food that’s been in the freezer for a year or two?
Freezing keeps food safe indefinitely, though quality may decline over time. Guidelines for freezer storage are for quality purposes only. Freezer burn, which appears as grayish-brown leathery spots, doesn’t make food unsafe but can make it dry in spots. You can trim away freezer-burned parts before or after cooking, but if heavily affected, the food might be best used in soups or stews or discarded for quality reasons. For detailed storage times, refer to the freezer storage chart at https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/cold-food-storage-charts.
How long are pantry items good for after the expiration date?
Most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely, even after their “best by” date. Packaged items like cereal or pasta are safe to eat but may become stale or develop an off flavor over time. Canned goods can last for years as long as the can is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling). Many dates refer to quality rather than safety, so you can assess quality when you open the package.
How does Double Up Food Bucks work?
Double Up Food Bucks matches EBT Card dollars spent on fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, up to $20 a day at participating locations.For more information about the program, visit https://doubleupnebraska.org/.
What options are available if I need food assistance?
If you’re in need of food assistance, there are a variety of options available to support you. Programs like SNAP and WIC provide funds for purchasing food, while local food pantries and meal programs offer immediate help. For more details and to explore options, you can go to https://food.unl.edu/healthy-food-access/i-need-food.
MEET YOUR LOCAL EXPERTS
I am thankful for this program; I just learned that I have high blood pressure. Through this program, I learned how to measure my blood pressure at home every day. I use the high blood pressure log to keep track of my readings. I showed the log to my healthcare provider, and he recommended that I monitor my blood pressure for two more weeks and then return for a follow-up.”
— Hypertension class participant