Centre County Library Nutrition Program Aims to Empower Parents and Caregivers

The Centre County Library & Historical Museum is partnering with Penn State Extension to offer a series of free classes designed to educate parents and caregivers about proper nutrition for healthy child development and preventing future disease.

Led by a nutrition education advisor, “Nutrition Links” sessions will be held for low-income parents, caregivers and young adults in October, November and December at the library’s 200 N. Allegheny St. location in Bellefonte. Each session will be held from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m.

• Wednesday, Oct. 22
• Wednesday, Oct. 29
• Wednesday, Nov. 12
• Wednesday, Nov. 19
• Wednesday, Dec. 10
• Wednesday, Dec. 17

Children need the right balance of calories and nutrients. Not enough calories and nutrients (undernutrition) can result in stunted growth while too many calories (overnutrition) can result in obesity. Yet despite the importance of balanced nutrition, 7.2 million children in the U.S. live in food-insecure households, and more than 15 million children are obese. Poverty is often linked to both undernutrition and overnutrition in children.

“Nutrition Links” classes will share how to eat healthily on a limited budget, how to plan low-cost, fast and easy meals and how to keep food safe to eat. Seassions will also include food tastings, raffles for food and nutrition supplies and a certificate of achievement for participants who complete the series.

“This is an incredible opportunity for families to gain practical skills that can improve their health and well-being,” Megan Strommer, youth services coordinator at the Centre County Library, said in a release. “We understand that financial topics can be sensitive, but this program is designed to empower—not judge—those who attend.”

Those interested in learning more or registering can contact Strommer at 814-355-1516, extension 1003.

I”f you can’t benefit from the program, tell people about it,” the library wrote in the release. “Don’t discriminate when you share the news, you never know who may benefit. Your voice could help a caregiver in need provide for their child.”

The program is part of the Centre County Library’s work to coordinate events with local experts and support the PA Forward initiative, a statewide effort of the Pennsylvania Library Association. PA Forward highlights the ways libraries strengthen communities through five essential literacies: basic, information, civic and social, health and financial. With a focus on health literacy, the “Nutrition Links” series reinforces the importance of understanding nutrition and food budgeting in building a healthier Centre County.