Food & Nutrition

Food Safety/Food Preservation

"How long can leftovers be safely stored in the refrigerator?" "I forgot to put away the soup last night after dinner. Can we still eat it?" "What about the latest food recall?" These are examples of questions called in to our Extension Food Safety Hotline. Do you have a question? Our Home Economist has up-to-date references as well as connections to the Food Safety experts at MSU. For more information:

• Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
• The National Food Safety Database is a highly informative, efficient and accurate website which will provide one-stop shopping for food safety information
• Contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline (1-800-535-4555) or visit the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service web site for information on food recalls, consumer publications on food safety and home food handling, answers to frequently asked questions and the latest news releases.

For more information on the nutrition, parenting and food safety programs, contact the Kent/MSU Extension office at (616) 336-3265.

Foodborne Illness

With common symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, food borne illnesses can be serious. For young children, older adults, people in poor health, or people taking immune-suppressing medication, foodborne illness can be life threatening. If you think that you or a member of your family has a food borne illness, contact your medical provider and the Health Department (616) 632-6900 (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm). You may also report a foodborne illness online through MSU.

For more information on food safety and foodborne illness visit:

• CDC - Foodborne Illness
• USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
• Center For Food Safety & Applied Nutrition
• Government Food Safety Information
• Partnership For Food Safety Education

Nutrition Counseling

Free one-to-one consultation with a Public Health Nurse to answer your nutrition questions and concerns. Available at all Kent County Public Health Clinics.

Nutrition Education Programs

Kent/MSU Extension has two program areas for nutrition education: EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) and FNP (Family Nutrition Program). Funded by the USDA and available to limited-income participants, both programs offer information on Food Safety, the Food Guide Pyramid as a healthy eating plan, Stretching your Food Dollars, Menu Planning and Feeding your Family (infants, toddlers, children and adults). These classes are offered in-home at no charge, once a week for about 6-8 weeks. What's the best thing about these classes? In addition to the up-to-date nutrition information, we cook with you! And when you complete the series of classes, we'll even give you a free cookbook!

WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)

Free nutrition program for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children up to age five, provides coupons for nutritious foods, education, and immunization. Income and health guidelines determine eligibility. Available at all Kent County Public Health Clinics, call (616) 336-3011, or the clinic nearest you, for more information.

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