By Gail Stephens
Eating a diet consisting heavily of fresh, locally sourced food that is high in nutritional value isn’t just a lifestyle choice, it translates to a powerful form of food-based health care. It is proactive with the goal of helping Americans prevent, manage and even delay the onset of chronic diseases that contribute to reduced lifespan.
The adult obesity rate exceeds 40%, placing individuals at high risk for chronic illnesses such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, according to a 2024 National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief (Emmerich et al.). For diabetes alone, a 2024
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report states 38 million people in the U.S. are affected and nearly 100 million fall within the prediabetic range.
“These statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive nutrition education and outreach, all central to the mission of UMES’ Family Nutrition and Health Program,” said Dr. Virginie Zoumenou, director of the program.
This UMES Extension program provides evidence-focused nutrition activities designed to teach healthy eating, meal planning, food budgeting and safe food handling practices, Zoumenou said.
It serves families, youth and adults, particularly in resource-limited areas, by equipping them with practical knowledge to make informed food choices and adopt longterm, healthier lifestyles.
“This group helped me compare foods nutritionally,” a program participant said. “I also learned simple ways to plan before I go to the grocery store so that I can save money.”
Addressing food insecurity is a cornerstone of the program’s work, Zoumenou said. “By offering nutrition education that helps families stretch food budgets and connects them to fresh produce, the program ensures nutritious food is attainable for all,” she said.
UMES Extension’s Family Nutrition and Health Program encourages farm-to-table practices by way of partnerships supporting local agriculture through community gardens, farmers markets and other cooperative projects. Adults and youth also learn how to grow their own fruit and vegetables through outreach activities led by UMES faculty and extension specialists.
“One of the program’s success stories is the Well Connected Communities Initiative that created mini-orchards in three UMES neighboring towns,” Zoumenou said. “Residents of all ages work together to grow and share the harvest of fruit with guidance from town project leaders and UMES Extension specialists. The overarching goal is to build regional food systems that promote health.”
“If you cannot afford it, grow it,” said Linda Powell, the WCC community leader for the mini-orchard in Fruitland, Maryland.
UMES also partners with local agencies and after-school programs to expand its reach through nutrition programs such as the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, and Family and Consumer Sciences.
Just one change in habit can improve health.
A 44-year-old taking part in an activity highlighting sugar content in popular products realized the amount of sugar he was consuming through drinks and snacks. “Wow, this really has me thinking, because I can easily drink three or four of these in a day,” he said.
Two weeks later, he reported drinking more water and a raised awareness of the nutritional value of what he was consuming.
By integrating nutrition education, food access and agricultural engagement, UMES Extension’s Family Nutrition and Health Program demonstrates the importance of food-based health care in the prevention of chronic diseases, improvement in the health of Americans and creating sustainable local food systems, Zoumenou said.
This work exemplifies how nutrition-centered outreach can lead to longer and healthier lives for residents across Maryland and beyond.
(Photos by Todd Dudek/UMES Ag Communications)
UMES Extension work, along with the EFNEP program, is supported in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
