Northern Shenandoah Valley Food, Nutrition, and Health

03/20/2026

03/17/2026

💧 What’s in your water?

If your home uses a private well or spring, your drinking water is not regulated like public systems. That means it’s up to you to make sure your water is safe.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is offering low-cost well water testing clinics across the Northern Shenandoah Valley this spring!

✔ Test for bacteria, nitrate, metals, hardness, and more
✔ Learn how to interpret your results
✔ Get guidance on protecting your water and your family’s health

💧 Testing includes 28 water quality parameters
💲 Cost: $70
📍 Locations: Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah & Warren Counties

📅 Register today (Space is limited):
🔗 https://warren.ext.vt.edu/news/NSV-Water-Clinics.html

Know your water. Protect your health.

02/24/2026

ServSafe® Manager Certification – Thursday, March 19, 2026
📍 Wi******er, VA
📌 Board of Supervisors' Meeting Room
County Administration Building
107 North Kent Street

Virginia Food Regulations require every food establishment to have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager on staff. This course meets that requirement and is recognized by the Virginia Department of Health.

✔ One-day class (not a week-long course)
✔ Includes instruction, exam, and certification
✔ Group discounts available for 10+ participants from the same organization

💲 Full Enrollment: $170
(Includes textbook, exam, and certification)

📚 Textbooks available in English, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish
📝 Exams available in multiple languages

⚠️ Participants must pick up their books from the Extension Office prior to class and are strongly encouraged to study in advance.

📅 Thursday, March 19, 2026
📍 107 North Kent Street, Wi******er

Register here: https://bit.ly/SSMGR-FD-PU

Questions?
Amanda Johnson
Virginia Cooperative Extension – Frederick County
540-665-5699
amandajj@vt.edu

Stay compliant. Protect your customers. Lead with food safety.

01/21/2026

📢 ServSafe Manager Certification – One-Day Class 📢

Need your ServSafe Manager Certification or time for a refresher? Join us for a one-day, in-person class offered through Virginia Cooperative Extension.

📅 February 2, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Rockingham County Extension Office
965 Pleasant Valley Rd., Harrisonburg, VA

💲 Cost: $160
✔ Includes textbook
✔ Includes certification exam

📝 Register online by January 20:
👉 http://tinyurl.com/SSMGR-RH-25-PU

This class is ideal for food service managers, supervisors, and anyone responsible for food safety in restaurants, schools, childcare centers, or community kitchens.

📞 Questions?
Becky Gartner, FCS Extension Agent
540-564-3080 | rebes13@vt.edu

Please contact us at least 5 days prior to the event if you need accommodations.

12/22/2025

🍽️ ServSafe® Manager Certification – 2026 Schedule 🍽️

Virginia Cooperative Extension is offering ServSafe® Manager Training and Certification Exams across the region. This certification meets the Virginia Food Regulation requirement that every foodservice operation have a certified Food Protection Manager onsite.

✔️ Includes training, textbook, and exam
💲 Cost: $170

📅 Upcoming ServSafe® Manager Certification Dates

Charlottesville (Spanish Only)
📍 Location listed at registration
🗓 January 26 and February 2
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Rockingham County
📍 Rockingham Extension Office
🗓 February 2
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Warrenton (Fauquier County)
📍 Fauquier High School
🗓 March 13
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Frederick County
📍 Frederick County Government Building
🗓 March 19
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Orange County
📍 Orange Extension Office
🗓 April 20
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Rockbridge County
📍 Rockbridge County Administration Offices
🗓 April 28
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Shenandoah County
📍 Shenandoah Extension Office
🗓 May 19
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Rockingham County
📍 Rockingham Extension Office
🗓 June 1
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Warrenton (Fauquier County)
📍 Warrenton Extension Office
🗓 July 13
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Page County
📍 Page County Extension Office
🗓 August 4
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Rockingham County
📍 Rockingham Extension Office
🗓 September 14
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Madison County
📍 Madison Extension Office
🗓 October 19
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

👉 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3cc92vf2

📞 For questions or accommodation requests, contact your local Extension office.

Get certified. Stay compliant. Protect public health with ServSafe® Manager Certification through Virginia Cooperative Extension.

12/12/2025

Virginia Cooperative Extension is offering a CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) designed to help adults prevent or delay type 2 diabetes through realistic, sustainable lifestyle changes.

📅 Program Begins: Tuesday, January 6 at 5:30 p.m.
💻 Format: Virtual via Zoom
📝 Register by January 20: ext.vsu.edu/dpp

This year-long, evidence-based program is led by Certified Lifestyle Coaches April Payne and Kristen Gibson and includes group support, goal-setting, and practical strategies for healthier living.

👥 This program is a great fit for adults who:
✔ Are at risk for type 2 diabetes
✔ Are overweight or physically inactive
✔ Have a family history of diabetes
✔ Have been diagnosed with prediabetes

Not sure about your risk? Take the quick CDC risk test:
👉 DoIHavePrediabetes.org

🔍 Why it matters:
• Prediabetes affects 1 in 3 U.S. adults
• Most people don’t know they have it
• Participating in DPP can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by over 50%

Register online at: ext.vsu.edu/dpp to learn more and enroll!

📞 Questions?
Spotsylvania Extension Office
Phone: 540-507-7568
Email: arpayne@vt.edu

11/07/2025

🦃🍽️ THANKSGIVING FOOD SAFETY — FROM THAWING TO LEFTOVERS!
Whether you're prepping the turkey, cooking the feast, or storing leftovers, the holidays are a big time for foodborne illness. But with a few simple steps, you can keep your family safe and enjoy every bite!
✅ THAW IT SAFELY
Use one of the 3 approved methods:
• Refrigerator — Safest method; allow 24 hours for every 4–5 lbs
• Cold-water — Change water every 30 minutes
• Microwave — Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and cook immediately
Never thaw a turkey on the counter — bacteria grows quickly in the Danger Zone (40°F–140°F).
✅ PREP & COOK IT SAFELY
• Wash hands for 20 seconds before and after handling raw turkey
• Use separate cutting boards for raw poultry and produce
• Never rinse raw turkey—this spreads bacteria
• Cook turkey to 165°F in the thickest part of the breast, thigh, and wing
• Keep hot foods ≥140°F and cold foods ≤40°F
✅ HANDLE LEFTOVERS THE RIGHT WAY
• Refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour if warm in the home)
• Cut turkey off the bone; store in shallow containers so it cools faster
• Eat leftovers within 3–4 days or freeze for 2–6 months
• Reheat all foods to 165°F
• When in doubt, throw it out!
🦃✨ BONUS: Scroll through for a clear, step-by-step guide on how to carve your turkey safely and beautifully!
These visuals were created to help our community enjoy a safe, delicious holiday season.
Presented by Virginia Cooperative Extension.

If you want, I can also create shorter versions, carousel captions, or versions tailored for Instagram or Canva!

10/01/2025

Virginia Cooperative Extension is excited to share a new publication:
👉 Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT): A Guide for Families

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment that supports families navigating behavior challenges such as ADHD, ODD, or other emotional and behavioral concerns.

This guide is designed to help parents and caregivers:
✅ Learn what PCIT is and how it works
✅ Gain an overview of the PRIDE skills used in therapy
✅ Discover practical tips families can begin using at home
✅ Access resources and support while waiting for therapy or testing services

Who might find this resource helpful?
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents and caregivers currently waiting for therapy or assessment
👩‍⚕️ Educators, counselors, and professionals who support families
🤝 Community partners who connect families with resources

This publication is not a replacement for PCIT, but it can provide families with tools and encouragement during the waiting period.

📖 Read the full guide here: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: A Guide for Families

This publication introduces Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), a proven program to strengthen parent-child relationships and manage challenging behaviors in children ages 2–7. It explains the two main phases—Child-Directed Interaction (CDI) and Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI)—and offer...

09/30/2025

Set 3 Healthy Goals for October 🎯💚

Today’s challenge: As we wrap up September, take a moment as a family to set 3 healthy goals for October. Write them down and put them somewhere you’ll see them every day—like the fridge or a family bulletin board.

✨ Why it matters: Setting small, realistic goals keeps families motivated and builds long-term habits. Research shows that when goals are specific, measurable, and shared, they’re more likely to stick. Continuing the healthy steps you practiced this month—like family walks, colorful meals, and active play—will set you up for lasting success.

💡 Examples of Family Goals:

Take a 15-minute family walk after dinner 3 nights a week.

Add 1 extra fruit or veggie to each meal.

Plan one screen-free family activity each week.

📖 Did you know? Families that work toward health goals together are more likely to support each other, and kids who see parents stick to goals are more likely to keep up those habits as adults (CDC).

📚 Resource: CDC – Tips to Support Healthy Routines for Children and Teens https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/tips-parents-caregivers/index.html

👉 Share your family’s 3 healthy goals for October—we’d love to cheer you on! 🌟

Parents, guardians, and teachers can help children and teens develop healthy habits with these tips.

09/29/2025

Hidden Veggie Taste-Test Challenge 🥕🕵️‍♀️🍝

Today’s challenge: Make a recipe with a hidden veggie and see if your family can guess what’s inside! Kids love the mystery, and it’s a fun way to add more vegetables to your meals.

✨ Why it matters: Sneaking extra veggies into meals not only boosts nutrition (fiber, vitamins, minerals) but also helps kids develop a taste for foods they might normally turn down. Research shows repeated exposure—sometimes even “hidden” at first—can make kids more likely to accept and enjoy vegetables in the long run.

💡 Ideas for Hidden Veggies:

🥦 Blend spinach into smoothies.

🥕 Shred carrots or zucchini into muffins.

🍅 Add pureed veggies into pasta sauce.

🥔 Mash cauliflower into mashed potatoes.

📖 Did you know? Kids need exposure to a food 10–15 times before they might accept it. Hiding veggies can be a stepping stone toward getting them to enjoy them on their own. (Source: USDA MyPlate & Cooperative Extension)

🖍️ Bonus Fun: Don’t forget to check out our Sneaky Veggies Coloring Cook Book—a playful way to get kids excited about eating (and hiding!) their veggies.

09/28/2025

Try a New Healthy Recipe Together 👩‍🍳🥦🍴

Today’s challenge: Pick a new healthy recipe and cook it together as a family! Kids can help measure, mix, or taste-test—making the kitchen a place for learning and fun.

✨ Why it matters: Trying new recipes helps kids discover new foods and flavors. Cooking together teaches life skills, encourages teamwork, and makes kids more likely to actually eat the healthy meals they helped prepare.

💡 Ideas to Try:

🍲 A new veggie-packed soup.

🌮 Build-your-own tacos with beans, veggies, or lean protein.

🥗 A colorful salad with fruit, nuts, and cheese.

🍓 Homemade fruit parfaits with yogurt and granola.

📖 Did you know? Research shows that kids who are involved in meal prep are more likely to eat more fruits and vegetables (CDC & USDA).

📚 Resources for Healthy Recipes: https://ext.vt.edu/food-health/family-nutrition-program/recipes.html

09/27/2025

Family Game Night 🎲💚

Today’s challenge: Plan a Family Game Night—but with a healthy twist! Choose active games that get everyone moving AND set out nutritious snacks to keep the energy up. More ideas: https://www.kindercare.com/content-hub/articles/2020/may/family-game-night-ideas

✨ Why it matters: Active play counts toward the CDC’s recommended 60 minutes of daily movement for kids. Pairing games with healthy snacks makes family fun time double as a wellness win. Research shows that families who play and eat together build stronger connections and healthier habits that last a lifetime.

💡 Ideas to Try:

Active Games: Charades, Twister, balloon volleyball, or a living-room dance-off.

Healthy Snacks: Popcorn with a sprinkle of parmesan, fruit kabobs, veggie sticks with hummus, or whole-grain crackers with cheese.

Bonus: Every time someone wins a round, everyone does 10 jumping jacks or a silly stretch!

📖 Did you know? Kids who engage in regular active play are more likely to have better focus, healthier weights, and stronger social-emotional skills. (Source: CDC & Cooperative Extension)

Family game nights are for more than just fun! Games help kids learn impulse control and how to follow directions. Get the fun started with some simple games.