MASON CITY – A local food systems steering committee has been working on several projects to improve the food landscape of North Iowa. One initiative the group is focusing on this summer is to encourage residents to eat more nutritious meals.
Many residents say the limited availability of healthy foods is a reason they do not eat healthier. Other common responses include the lack of skills and time to prepare and cook healthy meals. The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is partnering with the Hy-Vee dietitians and the North Iowa Farmers’ Market to offer FREE cooking demonstrations featuring local fresh produce at the North Iowa Farmers’ Market this summer. Residents will be able to buy local and fresh produce, while learning how to prepare it for easy, delicious and nutritious family meals.
The “Easy Steps to Eating Fresh” cooking demonstrations will be held on Tuesday, June 24; Tuesday, July 29; and Tuesday, August 26 at 5:00PM. This program is funded by the Centers for Disease Control, and the Iowa Community Transformation Grant.
The North Iowa Farmers’ Market is held Tuesday and Friday evenings from 3-6PM in the former K-Mart parking lot. This year the market vendors accept SNAP EBT Benefits, WIC checks, and Iowa Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) checks.
I would hope that all the booze zone members and proponents attend these cooking demonstrations…