July 27, 2012 — It's easy to fall off the food wagon for a day, according to Terri Lewis, Rowan County's new SNAP-Ed assistant for the UK Cooperative Extension Service.
“Everybody has a struggle in a different area,” Terri Lewis said, “but it's really important to increase fruit and vegetable intake every day and to exercise every day.”
Lewis is sharing her message locally on Tuesday, July 31.
The UK Extension Service is hosting a Food and Garden Tour from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Clayton Perkins Garden, located near the Community Recycling Center at 325 Triplett Street.
“We're going to try to do some grilling out there,” said Laura White, extension agent for family and consumer sciences. “Last year at the farmer's market we grilled zucchini, squash and bell peppers so we're going to do something similar.”
Taste testing is free, along with education.
White said it's important for community members to understand where their produce is coming from.
“With local produce, you know where it comes from and how it's treated,” she said. “When you buy produce from bigger stores you don't know where it came from or what pesticides were used. The food and garden tour will be educational in that way.”
Lewis said she recently encouraged a woman to eat one piece of fruit a day. The woman had never bought produce and relied on other types of food. After explaining the benefits of healthy eating, Lewis took the woman grocery shopping.
“I didn't tell her what to buy,” Lewis said. “She ended up buying $40 worth of produce.”
Lewis hopes those who attend the garden tour will become more interested in choosing to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Along with taste testing, there will be educational programs related to food preservation and the benefits of healthy eating.
The extension service will provide free transportation to the garden. For information, call 784-5457.
Nicole Sturgill can be reached at nsturgill@themoreheadnews.com or by telephone at 784-4116.
