Food/Nutrition/Health Classes

Become a Master Food Volunteer!

Volunteer with us!

COOKING, NUTRITION, and HEALTH CLASSES

We offer classes for all ages and abilities and currently offer classes in English and Spanish. If you are interested in classes (or in classes in other languages), please let us know. We ask that you have a minimum of 10 people registered for us to hold a class.

Please contact asalazar@vt.edu or 703-228-6417 for questions.

Arlington Climate & Cuisine Recipes:

All ingredients at the February 25 event were organic, when possible, or locally sourced. The carrots and apples were from Twin Springs Farm from Westover Farmers Market. A special thank you to Master Food Volunteers for preparing the recipe or helping at the event: Rhonda, Susan, Benita, and Jackie.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Energy Bites from University of Maryland Extension: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/family-consumer-sciences/snap-ed/eat-smart/recipes/pumpkin-oatmeal-energy-bites

No-Bake Energy Bites from University of Massachusetts Extension: No-Bake Energy Bites : Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE) at UMass Amherst

Apple & Red Cabbage Slaw

Ingredients

· 1/4 to 1/2 small head red cabbage

· 1 large apple

· 1 carrot

· 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins

· 2 T cider vinegar, balsamic or lemon juice

· 2 T olive oil

· 1/4 cup salted sunflower seeds or pepitas, optional

Directions

1. Thinly slice the cabbage; shred the apple and carrot on the large holes of a box grater. (can also use food processor or purchase pre-shredded cabbage and carrots.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the vinegar and oil.

3. Toss the cabbage, apple, carrot and cranberries/raisins in the bowl with the dressing.

4. Allow to sit for 10 minutes.

5. Sprinkle in the sunflower seeds.

Master Food Volunteer Training

Next Master Food Volunteer Training: Spring 2026

Details from Fall 2025 Training below. 2026 Training will most likely consist of 3 in person and 2 online sessions, most likely Fridays in May, June

When: Fridays on September 5, 12, 19, 26, October 3 from 9am-12pm

How: apply through Better Impact, our volunteer management system: https://app.betterimpact.com/Application?OrganizationGuid=e3ed3e13-325f-4ed1-bd1e-dbc02292fcc3&ApplicationFormNumber=1

Format: hybrid (virtual and in-person). Some Fridays will be in person at the Fairlington Community Center (3308 South Stafford Street, Arlington, Virginia 22206)

Application Deadline: currently accepted on rolling admission until March (tbd)

Application Fee: The cost for the training covers supplies, food, a mandatory background check, and volunteer supplies.

Early bird discount until August 9th: $100
Price after August 9th: $120
Scholarships are available!

Learn more at https://arlington.ext.vt.edu/content/arlington_ext_vt_edu/en/programs/master-food-volunteer.html

2026 Nutrition Classes Online

Tuesdays at 12pm

17-Mar: Recipes for Your Heart

24-Mar: Small Steps to Health & Wealth

21-Apr: Reducing Food Waste at Home

19-May: Mindful May

16-Jun: Budgeting for Groceries

21-Jul: Farmers Market Tips

18-Aug: Staying Hydrated

15-Sep: Food Safety During Power Outage

20-Oct: Fall Vegetables

17-Nov: Healthy and Affordable Holiday Meals

15-Dec: Physical Activity Indoors

Living Well with Chronic Conditions

(Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshops)

This program is for adults who have (or care for someone with) a chronic health condition such as anxiety, depression, arthritis, autoimmune disease, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, long COVID, and more. CDSMP participants practice evidence-based tools to control their symptoms, better manage their health problems, and lead fuller lives. The program consist of six weekly sessions (2.5 hours each) and is developed by Stanford University. Participants meet over Zoom. Please attend at least four of the six sessions, join from a private area, maintain confidentiality, and keep video cameras on for the whole session.

NEW Workshops in 2026!

**We will be adding more workshop dates as the year progresses. Participants only need to attend one workshop.**

Questions? Please contact

Aisha Salazar, Extension Agent, Arlington & Alexandria: asalazar@vt.edu

Andrea Haubner, Extension Agent, Wythe: andreah1@vt.edu

April Payne, Extension Agent, Spotsylvania and Stafford: arpayne@vt.edu

Brandi Pettey, Extension Agent, Lee and Scott Counties: bnpettey@vt.edu

Emily Jacobs, RD, Nutrition Educator, Loudoun County: Emily.Jacobs@loudoun.gov

Jessica Jones, Extension Agent, Greensville/Emporia, Dinwiddie: jessicaj19@vt.edu

Katie Strong, RD, Area Specialized Agent, Community Engaged Health, Northeast District: kstrong@vt.edu

Katrina Kirby, Extension Agent, Petersburg: kirby2@vt.edu

Kristen Gibson, Extension Agent, Russell: kbgibson@vt.edu

Paige Riddle, Area Specialized Agent, Community Engaged Health, Northwest District: arpaige@vt.edu

Elizabeth Caton, Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech: ecaton@vt.edu

Dealing with Dementia Caregivers Workshop: June 16 9am-1pm

Class will be rescheduled to a later date.

A free 4-hour program developed by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) that provides tips and strategies for caregivers on best practices for caring for their loved ones and themselves. The goal of the Dealing with Dementia Caregiver Workshop is for Alzheimer's and dementia family caregivers to gain a better understanding of dementia, utilize strategies to effectively manage dementia behaviors, and develop habits of stress management and self-care.

Caregivers who attend the four-hour workshop will receive a copy of the new Dealing with Dementia Guide. This guide provides over 300 pages of information and solutions to problems caregivers face every day.

Date:

Questions? Please contact Katrina Kirby at 804-733-1880 or kirby2@vt.edu or Aisha Salazar at 703-228-6417 or asalazar@vt.edu

Diabetes Prevention Program

This proven program is for people with prediabetes who are overweight. It helps them make changes in their lifestyle to lose weight and reduce the risk or delay the onset of diabetes. The program is offered online or in person during 22 sessions to help you reduce your risk of having type 2 diabetes! Groups meet for one year, starting with weekly meetings, then every other week, with the last 6 months meeting monthly.

Currently there is no charge for joining the program. All program costs are being covered by a grant from the Virginia Department of Health.

Next Set of Classes (offered by Extension Agents across the state):

For more information about current classes across the state and be notified of upcoming classes, visit https://www.ext.vsu.edu/dpp and sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/mr2m3zsa

Diabetes Prevention Program

Programa de Prevencion de Diabetes

22 sesiones para que ayuda a las personas a implementar cambios duraderos que reducen el riesgo de padecer diabetes tipo 2.

Puede participar si reúne los siguientes requisitos:

Es mayor de 18 años
Un médico le diagnosticó prediabetes
O bien, se determinó que está en riesgo de padecer diabetes tras unos análisis usando la herramienta de detección de riesgo de diabetes de la Asociación Estadounidense de la Diabetes (ADA).

Nuevo curso comienza pronto

el curso es gratuito
22 sesiones y un año de duración

I am a Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach. If you are interested in a local session, virtually or in-person, please let me know. We need a minimum of 15-20 registrants to conduct a class.

Para obtener más información, comuníquese con:

Aisha Salazar: (703) 228-6417 o asalazar@vt.edu

Diabetes Education in English (Balanced Living with Diabetes)

Balanced Living with Diabetes (BLD): https://ext.vt.edu/food-health/chronic-disease.html

The BLD program consists of four, two-hour sessions each week and a three-month reunion class. The program is for individuals with a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes or a hemoglobin A1c ≥ 5.7 percent.
If you are interested in having the program in English or Spanish, please let me know.

List of Potential Classes

Below is a sample of classes we have offered over the years. Classes can be conducted in English and Spanish and conducted as a one-off class or as a series of 4 to 6 week classes. Classes are conducted by our FCS Agent, Master Food Volunteers, and sometimes in partnership with Hareg Tecklu (our SNAP-Ed Nutrition Facilitator) and can be provided for youth, adults, and older adults.

For information on classes by our SNAP-Ed and FNP programs, please visit: https://arlington.ext.vt.edu/ and https://alexandria.ext.vt.edu/

Nutrition Tips for a Happy & Healthy New Year
Winter Greens or Leafy Greens
Root Vegetables
Smart Grocery Shopping
Building a Healthy Bowl
Love your heart!
Sugar- Not so Sweet
Meatless Monday
Eggcellent! All about eggs.
A Trip to the Farmers Market
Knife Skills: Slice & Dice
What is My Plate?
Waste Not, Want Not
Memory boost
Herbs & Spices and Everything Nice
Cooking for One or Two
Holiday Sweet & Treats
Hispanic Heritage Month- Plantains
Hispanic Heritage Month- Salsas
Halloween Treats
Fall Flavors
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Herbal Teas
Strawberry Season
Staying Hydrated
Brunch Ideas for Special Occasions
Farmers Market Bounty (focusing on a specific fruit or vegetable)
Power Your Breakfast
Summer Smoothies
Meal Planning 101
Smart Grocery Shopping
Kitchen Hacks
Eat the Rainbow
Eating Green- St. Patrick's Day
Eating Green on Earth Day
Spice Up Your Life While Baking
Hey Pumpkin!
Food Safety - Storage Tips & Expiration Dates
Facts About Fiber
Turkey Tips
Preparing Parsnips
Cooking with Sage
Winter Squash
Holiday Charcuterie Board Ideas
Trending: Gluten-Free – Is it Healthy for Everyone?
Dining Out: How to Eat Sugar-Free When You’re Not at Home
The Joy of Soy: Is It Good For You?
Easy Holiday Side Dishes
Lets Get Active! (learn the benefits of physical activity)
Cooking with Beans (dried and canned)
Ways to Use Bread
Expiration dates: What do They Really Mean?
Easy Soups
Rare Vegetables
Making Something New Out of Leftovers

Page updated

Report abuse