Pinellas County’s Master Food & Nutrition Volunteer program set to begin soon

The Pinellas County Extension Master Volunteer University is looking for volunteers to help whip up a healthier community.  Scheduled to begin in October, the Master Food and Nutrition Volunteer program allows persons to share with county residents valuable lessons about nutrition, fitness, wellness and culinary arts in a fun environment.

Volunteers reach a variety of citizens including seniors, children and families through faith-based organizations, family centers, schools, recreation centers and other organizations. Prior training, education and nutrition knowledge are not needed. What is required is a personal commitment to volunteer and a sincere desire to learn and help others along the way.

To rise to the level of a Master Food and Nutrition Volunteer, participants will take a 40-hour training course developed by Extension experts. The classes will run from Tuesday, Oct. 1 through Tuesday, Dec. 3. Classes will be spiced up with lectures, workshops, demonstrations and field trips to give volunteers all the tools necessary for success.

Applications for the program must be submitted by Friday Sept. 20. A $50 training fee covers class supplies and course materials. For an application, email Nan Jensen at njensen@pinellascounty.org or call (727) 582-2104.

Pinellas County Extension is a partnership between Pinellas County government and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences as part of a nationwide network of land grant universities. The University of Florida is an equal-access/equal-opportunity institution.

The mission of Pinellas County Extension is to provide research-based knowledge and education programs enabling people to make practical decisions to improve their quality of life and the world around them. Education focuses on sustainable living, lawn and garden, families and consumers, and 4-H youth development.

Pinellas County Extension offers programming at the Extension office, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, (727) 582-2100. The Largo office is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Extension also offers programming at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, (727) 453-6800 and at the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, (727) 453-6500. For more information, visit www.pinellascountyextension.org and find Pinellas Extension on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in an event or class you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. At least seven days prior to the event or class, please contact the Office of Human Rights, 400 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Suite 500, Clearwater, FL 33756, (727) 464-4062 (Voice/TDD).

For more information about Pinellas County services and programs, visit www.pinellascounty.org, now with LiveChat, or create a shortcut to www.pinellascounty.org/mobile on any smartphone. Pinellas County government is on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.