Center of Excellence - Events

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Read about our past events!

Tuskegee University’s Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences continues to address nutrition-related health issues in rural African American communities across Alabama’s Black Belt. This report highlights key program activities and impact efforts.

Over 25 participants actively engaged in hands-on learning during the Selma cooking demonstration and nutrition workshop. Community members expressed excitement about incorporating familiar ingredients into healthier versions of their favorite dishes. This initiative supports the broader goal of reducing chronic disease risk by increasing nutrition literacy and promoting fresh produce access through sustainable gardening.

Project personnel engaged with community participants and students in discussions focused on nutrition mental health, and hypertension. Topics included making healthy food choices, utilizing the nutrition label to assess sodium content, and interpreting nutrition label language.

On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the Out of the Garden Project, Makayla Eugene brought together MANRRS students to address food insecurity in the local community. Held at Piedmont Classical High School, the event aimed to support families facing nutritional challenges by distributing essential food items and fostering a spirit of community service.

The event served approximately 200 families, providing fresh produce, bread, meat, and shelf-stable items to help meet their immediate needs. Families were identified as qualifying for assistance and welcomed into a supportive environment created by the dedicated volunteers.

MANRRS students played a vital role in every aspect of the event. They arrived early to organize and arrange food items for smooth distribution, ensuring that the setup process was efficient and welcoming. From 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM, students engaged directly with families, guiding them through the selection process and offering assistance with specific requests. Volunteers received prior training to ensure respectful and effective communication, which contributed to the positive atmosphere.

At the conclusion of the event, the team packed up remaining items, organized supplies for future use, and restored the distribution area to its original state. Families expressed immense gratitude for the event, with many highlighting the welcoming and supportive atmosphere created by the volunteers.

The Out of the Garden Project also emphasized the importance of access to nutritious food in promoting community health. By providing fresh produce and protein-rich items, the event highlighted the critical role of a balanced diet in combating food insecurity. MANRRS students reported a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by underserved populations and the impact of direct community involvement.

This project was a resounding success, not only addressing immediate food needs but also fostering empathy and teamwork among participants. Looking ahead, recommendations for future events include expanding the volunteer team and increasing outreach efforts to serve even more families in need.

Photos from the event are available here 

MAKE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR ALL

The Tuskegge University, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences continues to expand the objective of “making fruits and vegatables available to all” These past months spring through summer have see the establishment of new  gardens at the community and individual levels, and oncurrently providing sustained assistance to previously established gardens. It is important to note that this project is  reaching the lives of rural residents living in Alabama Black Belt counties at all levels i.e. adults and youth, ether, as groups or as individuals. In this report two community groups will be featured,  The Tabernacle of Praise and the  New Possibilities and Youth Programs (NPYP).  The Tabernacvle of Praise, group had a large harvest they were able to sponsor a “No Cost Farmers Market”.  This group harvested  an estimated total of 280  lbs of a wide variety of vegetables as shown in

Figure 1.  The NPYP, had surplus, which was also shared with the community.

Figure 1. The amount  of vegetable harvested in (lbs.) in the Tabernacle of Praise group.

The Center of Excellence hosted JagriFest on Wednesday, August 21st, a back-to-school extravaganza during Welcome Week, in conjunction with the JagFresh Market on Fisher Hall Lawn. Students, faculty, and staff were able to gain tools and resources to improve their diet and quality of life, with an emphasis on nutrition, mental health, and physical activity, thanks to 25 exhibitors. The first 100 students who registered received FREE food. Students were able to get active by participating in a volleyball pool, sports arena, whack-a-mole, obstacle course, basketball inflatables, and riding the mechanical bull. They captured memories in the Photo Booth. Pet therapy was available to help reduce stress and anxiety during the first-week jitters. Attendees shopped locally and fresh at our JagFresh Market. The SU College of Ag 'AGvocated for Change' alongside the Power Coalition and the Divine 9. Additionally, 45 students received FREE cotton candy for becoming registered voters.

Photos from the event are available here

The Center of Excellence served as a Co-Sponsor for The Well Woman: BR

 On Saturday, May 4, 2024, The Maxine Firm hosted The Well Woman: Baton Rouge | Conversations Around Improved Wellness at the Valdry Center for Philanthropy. The event brought together over 100 women from surrounding areas, all eager to enhance their knowledge, behaviors, and skills on a variety of wellness topics at no cost to the attendees. The Well Woman: Baton Rouge provided a platform for women to engage in meaningful conversations, gain valuable insights, and build a supportive community focused on holistic wellness.

The event featured sessions on:

• Yoga & Mindfulness: Techniques for stress reduction and mental clarity.

• Balanced Nutrition: Tips for creating healthy, sustainable eating habits.

• Health Equity, Policy & Advocacy - Addressing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes through policy advocacy.

• Black Maternal & Infant Health -Focused on improving outcomes for Black mothers and infants during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.

• Mental & Spiritual Wellness - Anxiety & Depression: Strategies for managing mental health challenges.

• Mental & Spiritual Wellness - Grief & Loss and Relationships: Support and resources for navigating difficult emotional experiences.

• Diabetes & Hypertension: Information on prevention, management, and treatment.

• Mastering the 15-Minute Face with a MUA: Quick and effective makeup techniques for busy women.

This impactful event was made possible by the support of our sponsors and community partners, including: The 1890 Center of Excellence for Nutrition, Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life, State Representative Vanessa Caston LaFleur, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, The Nu Gamma Omega Educational and Charitable Foundation, The Power Coalition, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, Sista Midwife Productions 

Photos from the event are available here

On November 17th, SU Dietetic Interns led a hands-on, two-part food demonstration and nutrition education session covering Myplate and Basic Food Safety regulations for Southern University Lab fourth and fifth graders. They made an apple pie in a cup, infused water, and a salad consisting of five food groups. This project was a collaboration between the Center of Excellence for NHWQL, the SU Dietetic Internship, and the SU SNAP-Ed nutrition education program.

Photos from the event are available here

On October 11, 2023, the Center of Excellence presented at the Seeds to Success: Louisiana Farm to School Conference. Cornelius Jackson, our Extension Area Agent/ garden expert, gave a presentation on the accomplishments of the three community gardens housed under our Center. Mrs. Fitzgerald, Ag teacher at Westdale Middle and Mr. Jackson also spoke of the partnership between Westdale Middle School and Southern University's Center of Excellence for Nutrition, Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life.

If interested in contacting Cornelius Jackson, please email Cornelius_jackson@suagcenter.com or call 225.963.6356.

Photos from the event are available here

The first SU Together class was held by our Center of Excellence on October 3, 2023. Students were given a brief overview of the program and the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. The students took part in a hands-on cooking demonstration where they made acai bowls.

 Photos from the event are available here

The Center of Excellence and SNAP-Ed Nutrition Program went into the freshman dorms and provided a free nutrition class to the students. Students were taught how to make healthy “dorm-friendly” meals as well as given free “mini” parfaits.

Photos from the event are available here

Through a collaboration with Southern Universities COE, Scottlandville CDC, and the SULC Children and Family Law Society, students in the Scotlandville community are now able to take part in a free gardening education and tutoring program

We completed our first official day on August 19th. Students assisted with park cleanup and bed clearance at Scotlandville CDC. Additionally, the kids participated in icebreaker activities and had a discussion with the parents about what to anticipate going forward. Join us on Saturday, September 2 from 10am-12pm at 1920 Goudchaux St!

Photos from the event are available here

The Center of Excellence partnered with Jagcation to do a hands-on food safety presentation with the students. We discussed cross-contamination and ways to prevent hazards in the kitchen. The students were able to create their own personal pizza while practicing skills learned. 

 Photos from the event are available here

On June 10th the Center of Excellence participated in the Kidsfest 2023 Fair.  We helped organize a kid's scavenger hunt with Scotlandville CDC. We also set up a booth giving hands-on demonstrations on how to develop starter plants. We were able to give away over 50 bell pepper starter plants to participants.  While also explaining the process of transplanting their plant and proper care.

 Photos from the event are available here

On May 24th the Center of Excellence participated in the Know your number: Blood Pressure Awareness health fair in Lafayette, La. The health fair provided free blood pressure checks and community resources. Our Center provided resources on various ways to reduce waste, tips for dining out, and gave out MyPlate incentives to participants. 

 Photos from the event are available here

Our Center of Excellence participated in the Adjusting Our Lenses 2023 host by Spirit of Truth International Ministries, Humana & State Rep. C. Denise Marcelle. The healthfair was geared towards students having a safe and healthy summer. The event had various vendors that were able to interact and elaborate about their programs with families in the communities. 

 Photos from the event are available here

Our Center of Excellence participated in the Live Well Baton Rouge Health Fair. This event was sponsored by Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. They provided FREE CANCER SCREENINGS for breast, colorectal, prostate and skin. Our Center provided nutrition ed handouts and allowed participants to customize their own parfaits.  

 Photos from the event are available here

During spring 2023 semester, the Walmart Health Disparity Scholars at N.C. A&T worked collaboratively with the NCAT Pathway 2 Human Lactation Training Program and clinic on creating informational videos to educate nursing mothers as they complete their intake forms. The videos addressed the following topics:

• Key Vitamins and Minerals for Breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding Benefits for Babies
• Breastfeeding Benefits for Mothers
• Nutritional Considerations for Breastfeeding Mothers
• Nutrition during pregnancy

The videos have been submitted for further review and should be updated on nursing mothers’ intake forms sometime during the summer. Meanwhile, the group prepared educational flyers that focused on nutrition for nursing mothers. The scholars also toured the clinic and gained insight into its operation.

Additionally, the scholars met with the director of the Greensboro Urban Ministry Partnership Village, a transitional housing community for individuals and families rebuilding self-sufficiency after experiencing homelessness (www.greensborourbanministry.org), to develop ways in which the team can promote healthy eating patterns in their residents. The scholars led a presentation that gave an overview of functional foods and their benefits to the village residents on the day that they received food from the distribution center. Nursing students from Elon University were also there to provide blood pressure and blood sugar checks for the residents, coordinating with the scholars so more residents were reached.

Photos from the event are available here

On January 31, 2023, The Center of Excellence partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to host the first of a series of listening sessions hosted by USDA’s Agricultural Science Center of Excellence for Nutrition and Diet for Better Health (ASCEND for Better Health). The session gathered a diverse audience of local community members, partners, and leaders, where they were able to discuss how the community at large deals with food, the misinformation about it, and the lack of access to healthy choices. It was a well-attended event of power-packed information and a great continued effort at bridging the gap between diet, nutrition, and health issues in the community and what can be accomplished through a collective effort between USDA and the Southern University Ag Center.

Photos from the event are available here

The Center of Excellence for Nutrition, Health, Wellness and Quality of Life participated in Scotlandville’s Kids fest on June 11, 2022. Families from all over Baton Rouge came out and participated in a day full of activities with food and fun. At our booth, children were able to demonstrate how to properly plant sunflowers and identify the different parts of the plant. We also connected with members of the community about several programs that we are offering this summer. Funding was provided by the Walmart Foundation Center for Racial Equity and the 1890 Universities Foundation. 

Photos from this event are available here

On March 21, 2023, the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center met with 9th grade students at the ASPIRE Career fair. SUAREC showed students the dangers of smoking, introduced them to healthier lifestyles and gave them nutritious treats.

Photos from the event are available here