Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person Fresh Conversations has been delayed until further notice. However, we are currently offering this program online.
What Are This Year’s Topics?
- Sugar: Sinfully Sweet
- Should You Worry About Vitamin D Deficiency?
- Dairy Case Dilemma: Is It Really Milk?
- Ancient Grains Make a Come Back
- Go with Your Gut Bacteria
- Heart-Healthy Fat Facts
- Lower Your Stroke Risk
- Eating Out and Eating Healthy-Just Got Easier
Southern Maryland’s Fresh Conversations schedule and registration links:
September 8, 2020, 12-1 pm -- Topic: Sugar: Sinfully Sweet
Register for this session here: https://go.umd.edu/Sugar [1]
September 22, 2020, 12-1 pm -- Topic: Should You Worry About Vitamin D Deficiency?
Register for this session here: https://go.umd.edu/VitD [2]
October 6, 2020, 12-1 pm -- Topic: Dairy Case Dilemma: Is It Really Milk?
Register for this session here: https://go.umd.edu/DairyDilemma [3]
October 20, 2020, 12-1 pm -- Topic: Ancient Grains Make a Comeback
Register for this session here: https://go.umd.edu/AncientGrains [4]
November 3, 2020, 12-1 pm -- Topic: Go with Your Gut Bacteria
Register for this session here: https://go.umd.edu/GutBacteria [5]
November 17, 2020, 12-1 pm -- Topic: Heart Healthy Fat Facts
Register for this session here: https://go.umd.edu/HeartHealthyFats [6]
December 1, 2020, 12-1 pm -- Topic: Lower Your Stroke Risk
Register for this session here: https://go.umd.edu/LowerStrokeRisk [7]
December 15, 2020, 12-1 pm -- Topic: Eating Out and Eating Healthy Got Easier
Register for this session here: https://go.umd.edu/EOEH
[8]University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.
Have Questions about Southern Maryland’s Fresh Conversations Series?
Please contact Erin Jewell at erinj@umd.edu [9] or 443-432-5140
Fresh Conversations: Maryland Nutrition Education Program for Older Adults
Fresh Conversations is a nutrition education program for Maryland's older adults (50+). In Maryland, the program is administered by the University of Maryland Extension faculty and Fresh Conversations Certified Trainers. The Iowa Department of Public Health created Fresh Conversations [10]in partnership with Iowa’s department of Human Services and Department on Aging. Original funding for the program came from USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Program or SNAP.
What is Fresh Conversations?
This monthly program offers an array of nutrition, wellness, and health-related topics to older adults at senior centers and sites where they congregate. The sessions are filled with interactive activities, lively discussions, suggested recipes, and physical activity demonstrations. Each month, participants will receive a vibrantly colored newsletter featuring relevant research-based health information, physical activity tips, mind-stimulating games, easy low cost recipes, and an area to write down and track goals.
Our Story
University of Maryland Extension (UME) Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) is a department within University of Maryland Extension that focuses on strengthening families, farms, communities, and the economy by translating the latest research into non-formal, community-based education. Family & Consumer Sciences faculty serve as the vital link in connecting the expertise and resources of University of Maryland to residents in all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City. We work collaboratively, internally and externally, to address critical and important issues facing Marylanders as they cope with social, economic, environmental, and technological changes. The focus of our work centers on healthy living and economic success.
In 2019, UME-FCS team facilitated Fresh Conversations at 44 senior centers and other senior serving sites. The program was implemented in 19 counties and Baltimore City in Maryland. Educators facilitated a total of 288 sessions and made 2,836 educational contacts.
In 2020, UME-FCS was given permission to offer the 2019 program again but this time online. If you are new to the program, welcome, and we hope you enjoy! If you are a repeat participant, it never hurts to converse with new people or refresh your memory. Also, let us know if you are still practicing what you learned in 2019.
In the future, UME-FCS team efforts will focus on expanding direct education as well as training volunteers to implement the program. The Fresh Conversations training will be facilitated by the UME-FCS team.
For more information on the program and training, contact UME faculty listed on the right side bar under 'Have Questions?' section.
