Nutrition Education
Our goal is to provide people with the support and tools they need to consume more whole nutritious foods. In partnership with Ann Duncan, Tri River Extension Specialist and Registered Dietician Nutritionist, we develop and implement programming for adults at community locations and K-12 students at our WCRC-Orchard Mesa site. We also work with community partners to enhance their nutrition education programs by providing unique experiences in our orchards, vegetable plots, gardens, and teaching kitchen.
Food Pantry Nutrition Programming
Our Nutrition Programming Playbook is a resource for food pantries that wish to integrate nutrition programming into their organization and operations. This playbook offers science-based and field-tested programming, called nutrition interventions, that encourage clients to choose nutritious foods and prepare healthier meals that fit their needs and life. The ultimate goal of these interventions is to change the behavior of food pantry clients towards eating healthy foods.
The nutrition interventions are not one-size fits all since every food pantry is different. With this resource, pantries can choose interventions that align with their goals and available resources. Our staff and interns can help guide pantries through the playbook and help pilot some interventions.
We offer a Tasting Test Kit for pantries to borrow so that they can experiment with recipe tastings without investing in equipment.
Please email Amanda McQuade to reserve the kit at amanda.mcquade@colostate.edu.
Nutrition Education Partnerships
We partner with community organizations to enhance the nutrition education they provide. Let us help you expose your class to the joy of picking fresh vegetables and preparing them in our 30-seat teaching kitchen.
We work with nonprofit organizations that share our similar goals and are interested in enriching each other’s work.
Dietetic Internships
Our programming provides students pursuing Master’s Degrees as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or undergraduate degree in health education, nutrition or kinesiology with hands-on experiences that support internship, capstone, or practicum. Additionally, we encompass the ACEND requirements to be a community rotation site for Dietetic Internships for both CSU students and non-CSU students. These internships build real-life experiences in nutrition education, food systems, food security and many other valuable topics.
Considering relocating to Grand Junction for your dietetic internship? We can connect you with organizations in our community that can fulfill institutional and clinical internships. Please contact Amanda at amanda.mcquade@colostate.edu for more information about these opportunities.
Meet Our Intern
Meet Jenny Lange who was our CSU 2021 MS candidate. Jenny completed her community-based dietetic internship where she developed nutrition education programming for K-12 students who visit the Western Campus fields, gardens and teaching kitchen.
Get In Touch With Us
Do you have questions about our programming and partnerships? Please email with your questions. We are happy to offer our assistance. Please email Amanda.mcquade@colostate.edu with your questions. We are happy to offer our assistance.
Ann Duncan, M.S. R.D.
Extension Specialist
Tri River Extension
ann.duncan@colostate.edu
Amanda McQuade, Ph.D.
Community Food Systems Program Coordinator
Western Colorado Research Center
amanda.mcquade@colostate.edu