Enhancing Food and Health
The Challenges: Improve the health and wellness of Ohio citizens. Positively impact the economy of the state through efforts with Ohio producers, business, and industry.
OSU Extension's Response
OSU Extension has a substantial track record in contributing to Ohio's overall quality of life and positively impacting the economy of the state. Strengthening the lives and communities of Ohio through research-based educational programming is key to the long-term competitive sustainability of Ohio's high standard of living (Battelle, 2005). OSU Extension is in a unique position to teach youth and adults to apply science in their daily lives for healthy living. Our programs help communities ensure citizens access to a safe and abundant food supply. We also assist agricultural producers and processors in developing new products and adopting technologies and practices that contribute to a safe and healthy food supply.
Outcome
Enhanced standard of living, new markets and approaches for related businesses, reduced health-care costs as a result of improved health status, and a positive impact on the state's economy.
Audiences and Targeted Programs
While all audiences and age levels can benefit, proposed targeted populations where statewide impacts should be documented include:
- Latino/Appalachian/African Americans--Reducing health-care costs and improving health status; providing access to safe local food supply (examples: diabetes education, access to safe local food supply).
- School-age youth--Improved health status (examples: childhood obesity and health literacy education).
- Baby-boomers and their employers--Improved health and wellness; reduced health-care costs (examples: weight management, health literacy education).
- Food establishments and grocery industry--Positively impact the state's economy and improve health status (examples: markets for Ohio products, hospitality management, safe food handling; health and wellness education).
- Food industry--Positively impact the state's economy and improve health status (examples: value-added product development and marketing, food handling/food safety).
Methodology
Educational interventions lead to new participant behaviors that improve the nutritional quality of diets, reduce the incidence of chronic disease, increase safe food-handling practices, and stretch food dollars. Agency and food-industry professionals receive consultative services on emerging issues. Methodologies include on-site training; community-based programs and demonstrations; and web-based resources and printed materials at appropriate age and educational levels. In addition, OARDC and OSU Extension provide integrated services to research, develop, test, and introduce new crops and products (Battelle, 2005).
Signature Programs and Contacts
- Healthy Weight Management--Gail Kaye, Cindy Oliveri.
- Food Safety--Lydia Medeiros, Jamie Foster.
- Food Security for Latino Families--Hajo Melgar-Quanonez.
- Jump Into Food and Fitness--Gail Kaye.
