NW Missouri Times

Foods and nutrition students at Northwest Missouri State University are gearing up to celebrate National Nutrition Month by offering free fruit on select Fridays in March and hosting various activities to promote healthy living. Reese Morris, a senior dietetics major and vice president of Northwest Student Dietetic Association (NSDA), highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, "National Nutrition Month encourages us to observe the importance of a healthy diet as well as the elements of leading a healthy lifestyle."

The activities organized by the student organizations aim to raise awareness about the significance of proper nutrition and healthy habits. Morris encouraged the Northwest community to participate in the events to learn more about leading a healthy lifestyle with nutrition as its foundation.

During "Free Fruit Fridays," NSDA members will distribute apples, oranges, and bananas at designated locations on campus. Alongside the free fruit distribution, students can also gain information about National Nutrition Month, including tips on incorporating cultural foods, meal planning, and snack ideas. The theme for this year's campaign is "Beyond the Table."

In addition to the free fruit giveaways, Kappa Omicron Nu, the national honor society for human science students, is organizing a food donation drive throughout March. The collected nonperishable food items will be donated to the Maryville Ministry Center.

Furthermore, the foods and nutrition program at Northwest will host a neon-colored 5k run on March 22, with proceeds from the event benefiting Lettuce Dream, a local organization that supports people with disabilities in career education and community inclusion.

National Nutrition Month, organized by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, serves as a platform for individuals to educate themselves about making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and physical activity habits. To learn more about National Nutrition Month and how to get involved, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.