Food Safety & Nutrition
Clemson Extension agents with primary food safety & nutrition responsibilities work closely with state extension specialists and researchers located on campus and at the various research and education centers located across the state. They provide expertise in topics ranging from safe food-handling training for individuals, restaurants and commercial food processors to prevent outbreaks of food-borne illnesses to nutrition, obesity prevention, chronic disease risk reduction, and special dietary considerations for individuals and families throughout the lifespan.
In addition, 20 EFNEP Nutrition Educator Assistants (NEAs) deliver education programs that help children, youth and young families with limited resources develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behavior needed to improve their diet, physical activity levels, and become better managers of their food dollars. Food Safety, nutrition, diet and health information can be found at Clemson University’s Home and Garden Information Center and the Nutrition Information and Resource Center.
Local Agents
Nutrition & Food Safety: Christine Patrick, M.S., 803-259-7141 Ext 117, patric2@clemson.edu
Nutrition & Food Safety
Clubs
The mission of South Carolina Family and Community Leaders is to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities through fellowship, education, and service.
There are six clubs in Barnwell County:
- Barnwell Quilters
- Blackville Homemakers
- Kline
- Sunshine Poetry
- Town and Country
- Seeds of Health and Wellness
South Carolina Family and Community Leaders: www.scfcl.com
Services
Educational programming for groups, on nutrition and food safety:
ServSafe®
ServSafe® is a food safety program developed by the National Restaurant Association and taught by certified instructors. In Allendale, the ServSafe® program is taught by the Clemson University Extension Service. Programs can be taught at an employer’s facility or at the local Extension office. Class times can be scheduled to accommodate the employer’s request.
ServSafe® covers these topics as related to food service establishments:
- Personal Hygiene and Proper Handwashing Procedures
- Using Thermometers Properly
- Receiving and Storing Food Shipments
- Preparing and Serving Safe Food
- Cleaning and Sanitizing Your Facility
Color Me Healthy
Color Me Healthy is a program designed to reach children ages four and five. It provides fun, innovative, interactive learning opportunities on physical activity and healthy eating. The program is designed to stimulate all of the senses of young children: touch, smell, sight, sound, and, of course, taste. Color Me Healthy uses color, music, and exploration of the senses to teach children that healthy food and physical activity are fun!
If you are interested in learning more about Color Me Healthy, contact Christine Patrick at patric2@clemson.edu or call 803-259-7141 ext. 117.
Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP)
Opportunities
Opportunities for schools that have 50% free or reduced price lunch can contact EFNEP staff to enroll in our program. Lessons delivered in classrooms. Pre-K through 5th grades eligible. By integrating all subject matters into nutrition and physical education, the lessons are innovative and fun.
Services
Adult Program
- The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a unique program that currently operates in all 50 of the United States and its territories for 40 years.
- It is designed to assist limited-resource audiences in acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and changed behavior necessary for nutritionally sound diets, and to contribute to their personal development and the improvement of the total family diet and nutritional well-being.
- Participants gain new skills in food production, buying preparation, storage, safety and sanitation, and learn to better manage their food budgets and related resources.
- EFNEP is delivered as a series of 10-12 or more lessons, often over several months, by paraprofessionals (peer educators) and volunteers.
- Through EFNEP, participants also experience increased self-worth, recognizing that they have something to offer their families and society.
Youth Program
The delivery of EFNEP youth programs takes on various forms.
- EFNEP provides nutrition education at schools as an enrichment of the curriculum, in afterschool programs and through 4-H EFNEP clubs, day camps, residential camps, community centers, neighborhood groups, and early childhood developmental centers.
- In addition to lessons on nutrition, food preparation, and food safety, youth topics may also include related topics, including physical activity and health.