RESTON—The Virginia Master Food Volunteer program is making it easier for consumers to learn about good nutrition and local foods.

“Our Master Food Volunteers do all sorts of nutrition-related work,” said Katie Strong, Virginia Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent for Fairfax and Arlington counties.

“From something simple like coming to a street fair and just being a positive force for nutrition, to teaching classes on food preservation,” Master Food Volunteers stay busy, she said. “And we have some more educated and knowledgeable volunteers that are trained in nutrition that are actually teaching individuals about making changes in their diets for high blood pressure, for diabetes, to prevent chronic diseases.”

Strong is a registered dietitian, and training Master Food Volunteers and coordinating their activities is part of her job. Each volunteer goes through an extensive nutrition training program at no expense and in exchange commits to providing 30 hours of volunteer educational outreach service in a year. The program is particularly important for low-income citizens and new immigrants, Strong said, and its goals tie in nicely with growing interest in local foods and nutrition.

“I know that people are really, seriously concerned about what they put into their bodies,” said Diane Blust, a Master Food Volunteer and a manager of two farmers’ markets in Fairfax. “And so if they can talk to a farmer who’s produced that food, they have some answers rather than going to a grocery store and buying something that may have come 1,500 miles to get to their plate.”

Master Food Volunteers are also valuable partners in public health programs, Strong said. “They’re teaching (clients) how to cook in their own homes, how to make healthier choices when they go out to eat, and to be a positive influence for people around them.”

There are 78 trained Master Food Volunteers across the state. Two more training classes are scheduled for Central and Southwest Virginia this fall, and another class is planned for Southwest Virginia in January 2013. Anyone who has an interest in food preparation, nutrition, food safety or physical activity can apply. Applicants should possess a desire to enhance their skills and knowledge and should enjoy working with people.

To learn more, contact any local Extension office, or visit fcs.ext.vt.edu/fnh/mfv/index.html.

Contact Strong at 703-324-5369 or Norm Hyde, VFBF communications, at 804-290-1146.