Food Safety and Nutrition

OSU Extension grows library partnerships for access to food preservation

Food preservation is a popular practice in Oregon, with more than half of households using methods beyond refrigeration and freezing. It helps families lower food costs, reduce waste and enjoy seasonal foods year-round. These ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

OSU Extension brings gardens and nutrition to classrooms

Many elementary students in Marion County — especially those in urban or dual-language classrooms — have limited opportunities for hands-on science, nutrition and garden-based learning. By responding to county priorities and ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

OSU Extension brings classroom microgreen gardens to Head Start

In 2022, Oregon State University Extension Service began training Southern Oregon Head Start’s nutrition services team to use the Harvest for Healthy Kids curriculum to introduce children to new foods while teaching how food ...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story

Equipment program expands preservation access in Columbia Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is known for its abundant fruit production — but despite the bounty, the region experiences extreme wealth disparities and high rates of food insecurity. Newly available data from a 2025 food insecurity...

Feb 2026 | Impact Story

OSU research could help prevent Listeria growth in queso fresco

Fresh Hispanic-style cheeses are a growing part of the U.S. dairy market, but they have also been tied to repeated Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks and recalls. The risk is straightforward. Listeria can survive in the cold and, ...

Feb 2026 | Impact Story

Garden challenge helps Oregon families grow food, skills and health

Oregon ranks high in fruit and vegetable consumption, but many households, classrooms and community sites still struggle to grow and use produce year-round. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a clear need for simple, bilingual, ...

Nov 2025 | Impact Story

Klamath County families grow gardening skills at hands-on event

In recent years, global disruptions and rising grocery costs have motivated many families to seek more sustainable ways of living — starting with growing their own food. But gardening in Klamath County isn’t always easy. With...

Jun 2025 | Impact Story

OSU Farm to School enhances student health and boosts local economies

Oregon State University's Farm to School program, housed in the Center for Resilient Agriculture & Food Systems, works across OSU Extension programs to maximize the benefits for kids, food producers and processors, and ...

Feb 2025 | Impact Story

Workshop boosts Lincoln County Latino community's emergency preparedness skills

Lincoln County faces numerous hazards, including tsunamis, extreme weather events and wildfires, which can disrupt gas and electric services to households. This disruption limits food preparation options and increases the risk of food...

Feb 2025 | Impact Story

Farm field trips reconnect Bethel students with food, farming and nutrition

Since 2016, the Bethel Farm in Eugene has served as a working educational farm for Bethel School District students and the broader community. Students at nearby Kalapuya High School helped design and build the farm and continue...

Jan 2025 | Impact Story