March is National Nutrition Month™, an educational and informational campaign sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year’s theme is “Beyond the Table,” encouraging people to think about nutrition from farm to fork, including food production and distribution to grocery stores and farmers markets. It includes how we eat at the table, on the go, in schools, restaurants, games, and events, and emphasizes sustainability and decreasing food waste.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students will celebrate “Beyond the Table” at the annual National Nutrition Month Fair on Wednesday, March 6, from 4-6 p.m. in the Student Dining and Residential Programs (SDRP) lobby, 301 E. Gregory Drive, Champaign, and everyone is welcome to attend. Students from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition Communication in Nutrition course (FSHN 329), part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), will be hosting fun and interactive booths on the latest trending topics for college students. You’ll learn about protein supplements, caffeine & brain health, plant-based eating, eating on a budget, cocktails & mocktails, fad diets, green powders, and gut health. Other booths will feature registered dietitian nutritionists from McKinley Health Center and Dining Services and the Student Wellness Team from Campus Recreation. Stop by for free food and beverage samples, games, prizes, engaging booths, and more!

National Nutrition Month encourages everyone to increase their awareness and celebrate the joys of healthy eating regardless of their nutritional IQ. For more information about this event, please get in touch with Justine Karduck at karduck@illinois.edu.