Health and wellbeing in Payette County

Health and wellbeing

Family and consumer sciences programs are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families by promoting healthy lifestyles, proper nutrition, food safety and effective financial management. These programs provide practical tools and education to help adults and children make informed decisions that support overall wellbeing.

For information about current classes and programs, please contact the University of Idaho Extension, Payette County office at payette@uidaho.edu or 208-642-6022.

Eat Smart Idaho

Eat Smart Idaho is a University of Idaho Extension program focused on helping limited-resource adults make the most of their food budget. Through practical nutrition education and consumer skills, the program empowers participants to prepare affordable, delicious and healthy meals for their families. Eat Smart Idaho is designed to inspire positive, lasting changes in eating habits and food choices.

Food safety program

Interested in learning how to safely preserve food at home and help others do the same? University of Idaho Extension offers the Master Food Safety Advisor program, which trains participants in safe, research-based food preservation methods — from canning and drying to freezing and fermenting.

After completing the coursework, participants volunteer 30 hours to share what they’ve learned by answering questions, giving demonstrations or supporting food preservation outreach in their communities.

While we do not currently offer the program in Payette County, interested individuals can contact our office to get connected with programs available in Ada County and Owyhee County.

No prior experience is necessary — just a passion for learning and a willingness to share your knowledge with others. Space is limited, and participants are accepted on a first come, first served basis each year.

Preserve at home

University of Idaho Extension offers Preserve@Home, a convenient online course designed to teach safe and effective food preservation techniques. Participants gain practical skills and learn the science behind producing high-quality preserved foods while ensuring food safety. Contact Laura Sant at lsant@uidaho.edu or 208-852-1097 to register.

Cost is $35 plus the cost of required UI Extension bulletins.

Online learning experience

The course is delivered fully online through eXtension Foundation and is monitored by UI Extension educators. Each lesson includes:

Downloadable and printable course materials
Online discussion forums to connect with fellow students
Real-time chat sessions for live interaction
Streamed videos demonstrating preservation techniques
Quizzes to reinforce learning and track progress

Lessons

Causes of Foodborne Illness and Prevention
Basis of Spoilage and Canning Basics
Canning Acid Food (fruits and tomatoes)
Canning Low Acid Foods (vegetables, meats and fish)
Canning Specialty Foods (jams, jellies, preserves, salsas and pickled and fermented foods)
Drying and Freezing

At the end of the course, students take a final exam. Those who score 70% or higher receive a certificate of completion.

Ready, Set, Food Safe

The Ready, Set, Food Safe curriculum is available to high school teachers to deliver this valuable course designed to teach essential food safety principles tailored specifically for Idaho’s food service workers. The curriculum includes nine comprehensive lessons that cover critical topics such as:

Common food hazards and how to prevent them
Identification of potentially hazardous foods
Safe food handling practices including proper cooking, cooling, and storage times and temperatures
Personal hygiene and sanitation standards
Preventing cross-contamination and ensuring food safety in real-world settings

Students who complete the course are eligible to take an exam to earn Idaho’s Safe Food Handler Certification, an important credential for those planning to work in food service or hospitality.

If you would like to request a guest speaker to support your classroom or need additional resources, please contact us.