Celebrating National Nutrition Month: Promoting healthy eating through education, skill building
Published 12:05 am Tuesday, February 25, 2025
National Nutrition Month, celebrated every March, is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to promote informed food choices and healthy eating habits. Good nutrition is essential for maintaining overall health and preventing chronic diseases. This month serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of proper nutrition and provide Rowan County residents with the knowledge and tools to make healthier food decisions.
To celebrate National Nutrition Month, Rowan County Public Health is partnering with Main Street Marketplace and Meeting Place and Rowan County Cooperative Extension to host a series of engaging activities aimed at promoting healthy eating habits and combating food insecurity. Among the featured events are four hands-on cooking classes, held once per week, designed to teach participants how to prepare nutritious, budget-friendly meals. Each session will focus on a different theme, showcasing simple yet delicious recipes that incorporate wholesome ingredients.
Cooking class schedule:
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March 3 (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.) – Budget Bites: Hosted at Christ Episcopal Church (430 Old US Hwy 70, Cleveland, NC 27013), this class will focus on affordable, nutritious meals and how to get the most ‘bang for your buck’.
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Pre-register here: tinyurl.com/4vau72yv
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March 12 (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.) – Southern Staples: Taking place at Partners in Learning at The Woods (1775 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Salisbury, NC 28144), this session will showcase classic southern dishes with a healthy twist.
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Pre-register here: tinyurl.com/83tmrymm
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March 19 (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.) – Sabores Saludables (Healthy Flavors): A Spanish-language cooking class at Main Street Meeting Place (306 S Main Street, China Grove, NC 28023) featuring culturally relevant healthy recipes and nutrition education.
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Pre-register here: tinyurl.com/23ffn7b8
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March 26 (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.) – Prep, Pot, & Plate: Held at Granite Civic Park (202 West Peeler Street, Salisbury, NC 28146), this class will focus on meal preparation strategies and balanced eating.
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Pre-register here: tinyurl.com/mr3azfn3
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Be sure to pre-register for these classes as each class is limited to 25 participants.
In addition to the cooking classes, the Health Department will host a weekly taste-testing event called ‘Appa-Teaser,’ offering attendees a chance to sample a recipe from the upcoming cooking class. This initiative provides a sneak peek into the flavors and benefits of the dishes participants will learn to prepare, making nutrition education both interactive and enjoyable.
To further enhance public awareness, Rowan County Public Health will publish a series of weekly articles addressing the impact of nutrition on health. Those articles will cover nutrition topics across the lifespan.
National Nutrition Month is a time to come together as a community to advocate for better food choices and work towards reducing food insecurity. Whether through attending a cooking class, participating in ‘Appa-Teaser,’ or reading our informative articles, we encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to enhance their health through nutrition.
