Student orgs sponsoring National Nutrition Month Activities

To commemorate National Nutrition Month, Northwest Missouri State University foods and nutrition students are again providing free fruit on select Fridays during March in addition to collecting food items and hosting a 5k to benefit local organizations.

“National Nutrition Month encourages us to observe the importance of a healthy diet as well as the elements of leading a healthy lifestyle,” said Reese Morris, a senior dietetics major from Oregon, Missouri, who is vice president of Northwest Student Dietetic Association (NSDA) and president of Kappa Omicron Nu. “We encourage Northwest community members to become involved in the various activities that National Nutrition Month has to offer so that they can explore and learn more about the underlying principles of leading a healthy lifestyle that has proper nutrition as a foundation.”

During “Free Fruit Fridays,” members of NSDA will provide a mix of apples, oranges and bananas on a first-come, first-served basis. Students may pick up fresh fruit from 1 to 4 p.m. March 1 at the Robert and Virginia Foster Fitness Center, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 8 in Colden Hall, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 22 in the Garrett-Strong Science Building and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 29 on the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union.

Students also can receive information about National Nutrition Month, including ways to incorporate cultural foods, meal planning and snack ideas. The campaign’s theme for 2024 is “Beyond the Table.”

Free Fruit Fridays will coincide with a food donation drive through March 31, sponsored by Kappa Omicron Nu, the national honor society for human science students. The organization is placing collection boxes for nonperishable food items at Free Fruit Friday locations, among other campus buildings. All donations will be given to the Maryville Ministry Center.

Additionally, at 5 p.m. March 22, beginning at the east circle drive outside the Administration Building, Northwest’s foods and nutrition program is hosting a neon-colored 5k run. Students will provide nutrition information as well as healthy snacks at the event. Registration is $20 and includes a T-shirt before March 15; click here to register.

Proceeds from the 5k event will be donated to Lettuce Dream, a local organization that provides career education and grows community inclusion opportunities for people with disabilities.

National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign organized by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that invites people to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. For more information about National Nutrition Month, visit www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month.