FCHS (Family and Community Health Sciences) combines research and practical advice to help people eat better, be active and stay healthy. FCHS has programs and resources for everyone...adults, children, schools, community groups and worksites. The Get Moving - Get Healthy New Jersey (GMGH) initiative, to encourage healthy eating and physical activity, and reduce obesity, is the theme of FCHS work. GMGH is a joint effort with 4-H Youth Development.

 

FCHS...Promoting Healthy Families

Families are at the heart of a healthy lifestyle. Research shows that a healthful diet and being active will reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. FCHS has publications and conducts programs on topics such as: feeding young children, family meals, Taming the Tube, Functional Foods for Life, food allergies and home food safety.

FCHS...Promoting Healthy Schools

FCHS provides staff training, classroom lessons, advice on wellness policies, improving food service, creating school gardens and education for parents. FCHS's school wellness initiatives include:

• Get Moving - Get Healthy NJ — lessons and activities, assemblies, and exhibits
• From Our Farms —learning boxes and lessons for young children about vegetables, fruit and dairy products and their link to farms.
• Grow Healthy, a NJ Department of Agriculture Team Nutrition project, and other local projects promote school gardens, classroom lessons and improved school food service.
• Being Safe with Food Allergies
• Food safety and hand washing promotion - learn tips for "Healthy Guests: Happy Holidays"

FCHS...Promoting Healthy Communities

FCHS provides continuing education for professionals, such as dietitians and teachers. FCHS staff also participate on community committees and initiatives.

FCHS workplace wellness programs and publications promote healthy behaviors for employees that may result in reduced sick time and health care costs.

 

Publications:

• New! Eating Seasonally
• New! Help! My Refrigerator or Freezer Stopped Working. Is My Food Safe?
• Workplace Wellness: Stress Less on the Job
• Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Handling Guidelines for Food Pantries
• Physical Activity - One of Life's Necessities
• Workplace Wellness: Power Foods at Meetings and Healthy Power Lunches
• Workplace Wellness: Healthy Eating While on the Job
• Workplace Wellness: Ways to Increase Your Physical Activity on the Job
• Energy Drinks: the Truth Behind the Boost
• Children with Food Allergies: A Guide for Youth Group Leaders

What's Happening in Somerset County FCHS?

• Preserve the Harvest Workshops
  May 24:Freezing - Learn how to freeze fruits and vegetables to ensure a safe and high quality product. You will also learn how to make frozen jams.
  May 31:Canning - Learn the art of canning fruits and vegetables using the appropriate safe method - either a water bath or pressure canner.
  June 7: James, Jellies & Other Sweet Treats - Learn to turn fruit into tasty spreads and syrups. We'll also show you how to make dried vegetables and fruit and fruit leathers with a food dehydrator.
• Summer Cooking Adventure July 9-13, 2012, take a "road trip" with FCHS to learn about food and culture across the United States. Open to children in grades 3-5; 10:00am - 12:30pm. $150.00 includes food, handouts and more!
  Summer Cooking Adventure Counselor Application
• Sign up for email notification about new or up-coming programs. (We do not give email addresses out to mailing lists.)
• Speakers Available:
  FCHS staff will conduct presentations for community organizations, businesses and schools related to our focus areas above. Generally, we need to schedule speaking engagements several weeks in advance. Current hot topics: Family Meals, Functional Foods for Life Series (pick one - berries chocolate, coffee, mushrooms, tea, or vegetables and fruits), Helping Kids Eat Well, and School Wellness.
• Building Healthy Kids Coalition addresses the rising rate of obesity in children and families at the community level. Members include school nurses, teachers, community organizations and others.
• School Wellness - FCHS provides school staff training, parent education and youth programs focusing on healthy eating and physical activity to improve the health of students, families and school staff.
• Somerset County Visions Newsletter with current news and events. Latest State Visions Newsletter with articles related to healthful living. Sign up to be on the mailing list. (We do not give others your name or information.)
• Local FCHS Volunteer Opportunities: Could you give us a few hours? The rewards are learning, friendships, satisfaction, and fun. Call 908-526-6295 or email minch@njaes.rutgers.edu to volunteer.

What's Happening on the State Level in FCHS?

The State Family and Community Health Sciences web site has in-depth information and resources for individuals, families and professionals. Features:

• Food & Activity Ideas, including recipes
• Food safety updates and tips
• Lists of available workshops and educational displays
• Publications

 

Key Initiative

Get Moving - Get Healthy New Jersey - encourages a healthy lifestyle, especially healthy eating and physical activity, through educational programs, a website, publications and targeted marketing campaigns.

Contact us:

Telephone: 908-526-6295

Email: arago@co.somerset.nj.us