Food Literacy

FCHS promotes food literacy in New Jersey by empowering individuals with cooking skills, safe food handling practices, and knowledge of local food preservation through initiatives like the Master Food Preservers program. Through these efforts, we equip individuals with the tools to navigate the complexities of modern food systems, reduce food waste, and support local economies, ultimately creating a more resilient and food-secure state.

Eating for health is simple with these recommendations and the resources below.

• Eat lots of vegetables and fruits
• Eat more whole grains; such as brown rice, whole wheat bread & pasta, quinoa, bulgur, farro
• Eat beans, fish, poultry, or lean meats for protein
• Choose low fat or fat free dairy products
• Drink water and limit sugar-sweetened beverages
• Limit intake of sodium and salt
• Read food labels
• Eat reasonable portion sizes
• Eat together with family or friends

Resources

• Extension Publications on food and nutrition
• Family Meals
• Functional Foods For Life
• MyPlate.gov – meal plans for all ages, tip sheets, recipes and an app. Information in multiple languages.
• DASH Eating Plan for reducing blood pressure & heart health from the National Institutes of Health
• Nutrition Education Targeting Limited Resource Families
  • Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
  • New Jersey SNAP-Ed Region 2

Food Preservation Resources

• Practical Ways to Reduce Food Waste Visions Article (on Page 3)
• Healthy Meal Planning Presentation
• Shopping for Food Safety
• Handling Leftovers Safely
• Home Composting
• Home Food Preservation
• How to Keep Produce Fresh Longer - Infographic By Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Understanding Dates on Food Labels By Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Food Product Dating (from the USDA)
• FoodKeeper App (from the USDA)
• Healthy Recipes
• YouTube FCHS recipes

Techniques and Best Practices

• Canning
• Freezing
• Drying
• Storing Preserved Items

Program Spotlight

Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Canning Class

Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape tribe members participated in a canning class led by FCHS Educator Sanda Grenci. With support from The Food Trust, the group learned to can corn relish using the boiling water bath method. This hands-on experience helped participants gain new canning skills and confidence in home food preservation. The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape tribe, one of three recognized Native American tribes in New Jersey, is based in Bridgeton.

Engagement

In the 2024-2025 year, FCHS staff hosted 34 programs related to food literacy, reaching over 8,700 NJ residents in this topic alone.